How is diarrhea treated?
1. Change What You Eat: Some foods can cause diarrhea, and others can help stop it. Don’t eat: • dairy products (milk or cheeses) • greasy or fried food • fatty foods including butter, margarine, oils, or nuts • spicy foods • foods high in “insoluble” fiber. This includes raw fruits or vegetables, whole wheat bread, corn, or any fruit or vegetable skins or seeds. Do eat: • bananas • plain white rice • applesauce • oatmeal or cream of wheat • toasted white bread or plain crackers • plain macaroni or noodles • boiled eggs • oatmeal • mashed potatoes • yogurt (This is a dairy product, but it’s partially “digested” by the bacteria used to make it.) 2. Drug Treatments: A new treatment for HIV-associated diarrhea is crofelemer. It is in a Phase III trial (see Fact Sheet 105.) Different medications are used to treat different types of diarrhea. Your health care provider may not be able to prescribe a medication without some idea of what is causing your diarrhea. You do not need a prescription
