What medicine is better for diarrhea?

I have had some diarrhea recently and I don’t know what to do? What medicine should I take for diarrhea? Diarrhea, which is what people often call "diarrhea", is characterized by frequent bowel movements and thin or watery stools. Generally speaking, diarrhea will bring some inconvenience to life, but it will not cause big problems. But it does not mean that you do not need to take medicine if you have diarrhea. Long-term diarrhea can easily lead to certain diseases, so you must take medicine if you have diarrhea.

1. If diarrhea is caused by intestinal infection, anti-infection treatment is necessary, and antibacterial treatment targeting the pathogen is ideal. Co-trimoxazole, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin are effective against bacillary dysentery, Salmonella or toxigenic Escherichia coli, and Helicobacter pylori infections. Metronidazole is effective against Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia infections. Therefore, these drugs are often used for acute infectious diarrhea, including the prevention and treatment of so-called traveler's diarrhea.

2. Compound "diphenoxylate" (Zhixiening): It can weaken intestinal peristalsis and delay the passage of intestinal contents. It is suitable for acute and chronic functional diarrhea and chronic enteritis.

3. "Loperamide Hydrochloride" (Imodium): It can reduce intestinal motility and is particularly effective for chronic diarrhea with unformed stools. Use with caution in severe diarrhea or infectious diarrhea, pregnant and lactating women, and not suitable for children.

4. Smecta: It can absorb pathogens in the intestines and is mainly used for acute and chronic diarrhea. It has a better effect on acute diarrhea in children.

In addition, for diarrhea caused by lactose intolerance and gluten-based celiac disease, lactose or gluten ingredients should be eliminated from the diet respectively. For hyperosmotic diarrhea, patients should stop eating or taking foods or drugs that cause hyperosmotic diarrhea. Secretory diarrhea can easily lead to severe dehydration and electrolyte loss. In addition to eliminating the cause, salt and glucose solutions should be actively supplemented.

It is also important to note that when self-treating diarrhea, be cautious when using diarrhea medicines containing berberine, because berberine is a chemically synthesized drug, not a proprietary Chinese medicine. For diarrhea that is diagnosed by TCM as a deficiency of the spleen and stomach, berberine is bitter and cold, and can easily damage the spleen and stomach, impair gastrointestinal function, and make digestive system symptoms such as stomach pain and nausea more likely to occur, aggravating the condition.

Patients with severe diarrhea must go to the hospital for examination and take medicine on time to avoid delaying treatment. In life, we should not eat leftovers, unclean vegetables, spoiled meat and other foods, as this can easily cause diarrhea. Be sure to keep warm when you sleep at night, otherwise it is easy to catch a cold stomach and cause diarrhea.