How To Stop Diarrhea Fast: Methods And What To Avoid

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Medical News TodaySubscribeHow to stop diarrhea fast: Quick methods and easing symptoms

Medically reviewed by Michael Schopis, MD — Written by Steph Coelho, CPT — Updated on October 8, 2025

For adults
For infants
When to see a doctor
What not to do
Duration
How to ease symptoms
FAQ
Summary

Treatment for diarrhea depends on the cause. Options that may help stop it faster include over-the-counter (OTC) medications, eating soluble fiber, and drinking plenty of fluids.

Most diarrhea episodes are short-term or acute and resolve after a few days. However, some people develop chronic diarrhea, which persists for weeks or longer.

This article outlines the typical duration of diarrhea, provides tips on how to get fast relief, and offers advice on when to see a doctor.

Fast relief methods for adults

Eating bland foods like bananas can reduce the risk of further GI upset and diarrhea. — Natnan Srisuwan/Getty Images

Below are several methods that adults can use to alleviate diarrhea quickly.

Anti-diarrheal medication

A common and convenient solution for alleviating acute diarrhea is taking OTC medications, such as:

Loperamide (Imodium): This medication slows down digestion so that the body can draw more water from the intestines. This helps to firm up stools and reduce the frequency of bowel movements.
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol): This medication helps to kill some of the diarrhea-causing bacteria that a person may have in their gut.

The above medications are not suitable for people whose diarrhea is accompanied by the following symptoms:

fever
signs of infection, like nausea, vomiting, or cough
bloody stools

Antibiotics

A doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help eliminate a bacterial infection of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

People may contract harmful bacteria as a result of eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Bacteria that commonly cause diarrhea include:

Campylobacter
Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Salmonella
Shigella

Learn about the side effects of antibiotics.

Diet adjustment

Certain dietary adjustments may help alleviate an acute episode of diarrhea and reduce the risk of further complications. Examples include:

Eating bland foods: Bland, easy-to-digest foods reduce the risk of further GI upset and diarrhea. A popular dietary option for an upset stomach is the BRAT diet, which is an acronym for the following bland foods:
- banana
- rice
- applesauce
- toast
Increasing intake of soluble fiber: Soluble fiber is a type of fiber that absorbs fluid in the intestines. As such, it helps to firm up stools and alleviate diarrhea. Foods that contain soluble fiber include:
- blended soups
- bananas or banana chips
- skinless or mashed potatoes
- carrots
- yams
- white bread without seeds
- oats
Eating smaller meals: People should aim to eat smaller and more frequent meals throughout the day instead of eating two or three large meals.
Resting after meals: Relaxing after a meal helps to slow the movement of food through the gut. This helps to reduce the frequency of bowel movements.

Find out what foods to eat with diarrhea.

Hydration

Loose, watery stools cause a person to lose fluids and electrolytes. This can lead to dehydration and associated complications.

Signs of dehydration include:

low urine output
increased thirst
dizziness
confusion

To prevent dehydration, a person should drink at least one cup of fluids after each bout of diarrhea. Fruit juices and sports drinks are good options as they are high in potassium and other important electrolytes.

Supplements

The following supplements may help to alleviate diarrhea:

psyllium
pectin
probiotics

Psyllium and pectin may help slow down the digestive system, reducing the frequency and urgency of bowel movements.

Probiotics may help reduce the severity and duration of diarrhea. People who are taking antibiotics should consult a doctor before trying. Learn more ways to treat diarrhea at home.

Fast relief methods for infants and how to prevent diarrhea

The treatment for acute diarrhea in infants differs from that for adults. For example, OTC anti-diarrheal medications are not suitable for children unless a doctor has prescribed them.

Below are some methods for treating diarrhea in infants.

Rehydration

An infant with diarrhea must continue to feed and drink as normal. People who are breastfeeding should continue to do so if the infant is still willing to drink fluids.

Oral rehydration solutions can help replace the fluids and electrolytes lost during episodes of diarrhea. Examples of such solutions include:

Pedialyte
Naturalyte
Enfalyte
CeraLyte

Zinc supplementation

The World Health Organization recommends zinc supplements to help manage diarrhea in children. They suggest that infants older than six months may benefit from 20 milligrams of zinc per day for 10 to 14 days.

Additional research is necessary to determine how zinc helps with diarrhea.

When to see a doctor

Adults should see a doctor if they have diarrhea that lasts longer than two days. They should also see a doctor if their diarrhea is accompanied by any of the following:

signs of dehydration
fever
frequent vomiting
severe pain in the stomach, abdomen, or rectum
bloody or tarry stools

If children experience any of the above symptoms or if diarrhea lasts longer than 24 hours, their caregiver should take them to see a doctor.

Adults and children with a weakened immune system or other underlying medical conditions should see a doctor immediately if they experience diarrhea.

What not to do when having diarrhea

People who are experiencing diarrhea should avoid foods and ingredients that could make their diarrhea worse. This includes the following:

caffeine
alcohol
foods high in fructose
prune juice and dried fruits
sugar replacements or substitutes
fatty foods
fried foods
spicy foods

Persistent or recurrent episodes of diarrhea may indicate an underlying food sensitivity or intolerance. Anyone who has a suspected food sensitivity or intolerance should avoid foods that trigger bouts of diarrhea.

Some common triggers of food sensitivities and intolerances include:

Lactose: A natural sugar found in milk and dairy products.
Fructose: A natural sugar found in fruits.
Gluten: Proteins that exist in grains, such as wheat, rye, and barley.

Typical duration of diarrhea

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) defines “diarrhea” as passing three or more loose, watery stools per day.

The NIDDK categorizes diarrhea into the following three types based on its duration:

Acute: Diarrhea that typically lasts 1 to 2 days and goes away on its own. This type is the most common.
Persistent: Diarrhea that lasts between 2 to 4 weeks.
Chronic: Diarrhea that lasts at least 4 weeks. The symptoms may be persistent, or they may come and go.

The NIDDK recommends that adults see a doctor if their diarrhea lasts more than 2 days and that children see a doctor if their diarrhea lasts 24 hours or more.

Find out more about how long diarrhea can last.

How to ease symptoms in the meantime

Acute diarrhea can take a day or two to subside. In the meantime, people can follow the tips below to help alleviate their symptoms:

drinking plenty of water, juices, and broths to help avoid dehydration
taking OTC anti-diarrheal medications to help relieve pain from gas and bloating
getting plenty of rest to help slow the digestive process

Frequently asked questions

Below are some frequently asked questions about how to stop diarrhea:

How do you control diarrhea immediately?

A person can try the following methods to control diarrhea and help them get immediate relief:

take OTC medications, like loperamide (Imodium)
take antibiotics, if necessary
stay hydrated
eat bland foods
avoid trigger or spicy foods

How long does diarrhea last?

This depends on whether a person has acute, persistent, or chronic diarrhea. Acute diarrhea usually lasts one to two days, whereas persistent diarrhea lasts two to four weeks. Any time longer, and the diarrhea is chronic.

If diarrhea lasts more than two days for adults or a day for infants, people should visit a healthcare professional.

What drink stops diarrhea?

Drinking certain beverages can help people stay hydrated after losing fluid in diarrhea. A person should drink water, fruit juices, or electrolyte drinks.

Avoid sugary drinks, alcohol, and caffeine. These can make the diarrhea worse in some people.

Infants may benefit from oral rehydration solutions, speak to a doctor about the best options.

What food stops diarrhea?

Foods that are bland and easy to digest can help reduce the risk of further GI upset and diarrhea. This might include foods like:

bananas
rice
applesauce
toast
boiled or mashed potatoes
plain pasta
clear broths

Summary

Diarrhea can come on suddenly and resolve on its own just as quickly. Most cases are acute, lasting up to two days. However, people may also experience persistent or chronic diarrhea that comes and goes over several weeks.

Thankfully, there are methods for quickly and effectively alleviating diarrhea symptoms. These methods differ somewhat for children and adults.

People should see a doctor if their diarrhea persists or they experience other worrying symptoms. A doctor will work to diagnose the cause of the diarrhea and provide appropriate treatments.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

10 nutrition and lifestyle recommendations to manage diarrhea (n.d.)https://badgut.org/information-centre/health-nutrition/diarrhea-and-diet/
Akhondi H, et al. (2023). Bacterial diarrhea.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551643/
Budisak P, et al. (2024). Bismuth subsalicylate.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560697/
Claghorn K. (2020). Low fiber diet for diarrhea.https://www.oncolink.org/support/nutrition-and-cancer/during-and-after-treatment/low-fiber-diet-for-diarrhea
Diarrhea. (2016).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diarrhea
Diarrheal diseases — acute and chronic. (n.d.).https://gi.org/topics/diarrhea-acute-and-chronic/
Diarrhoeal disease. (2024).https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diarrhoeal-disease
Diarrhea in children: What parents need to know. (2021).https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/abdominal/Pages/Diarrhea.aspx
Eating when you have diarrhea. (2023).https://www.breastcancer.org/tips/nutrition/during_treat/side_effects/diarrhea
Kaewdech A, et al. (2022). The effect of fiber supplementation on the prevention of diarrhea in hospitalized patients receiving enteral nutrition: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with the GRADE assessment.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9733536/
Nemeth V, et al. (2022). Diarrhea.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448082/
Nutrition strategies for managing diarrhea. (n.d.).https://www.iffgd.org/lower-gi-disorders/diarrhea/nutrition-strategies.html
Symptoms & causes of chronic diarrhea in children. (2017).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/chronic-diarrhea-children/symptoms-causes
Zinc supplementation in the management of diarrhoea. (2023).https://www.who.int/tools/elena/interventions/zinc-diarrhoea

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Medically reviewed by Michael Schopis, MD — Written by Steph Coelho, CPT — Updated on October 8, 2025

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Tag » How To Prevent Diarrhea While Fasting

How To Stop Diarrhea Fast: Methods And What To Avoid

Fast relief methods for adults

Anti-diarrheal medication

Antibiotics

Diet adjustment

Hydration

Supplements

Fast relief methods for infants and how to prevent diarrhea

Rehydration

Zinc supplementation

When to see a doctor

What not to do when having diarrhea

Typical duration of diarrhea

How to ease symptoms in the meantime

Frequently asked questions

How do you control diarrhea immediately?

How long does diarrhea last?

What drink stops diarrhea?

What food stops diarrhea?

Summary

How we reviewed this article:

Latest news

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