Diarrhoea Home Care — ORS, Diet & When to Seek Help

Diarrhoea — loose or watery stools occurring more than three times a day — is usually caused by viral gastroenteritis and resolves within a few days. The greatest risk is dehydration, especially in children and older adults. Proper home care with oral rehydration is the foundation of safe management before you need medical help.

Common Causes

Viral gastroenteritis — rotavirus, norovirus, and other intestinal viruses
Food poisoning from contaminated food or water
Bacterial infections — Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter
Medication side effects — antibiotics, laxatives, magnesium supplements
Food intolerances — lactose, artificial sweeteners
Stress and — increase gut motility
Traveller’s diarrhoea from unfamiliar bacteria
Parasitic infections — Giardia, in prolonged cases

Step-by-Step Home Care

Managing diarrhoea safely at home

Start oral rehydration immediately

Drink WHO-formula ORS (oral rehydration salts) sip by sip. For adults: 200–400 ml after each loose stool. For children: 50–100 ml per stool. Homemade ORS: 6 level teaspoons sugar + half teaspoon salt in 1 litre clean water. Commercial ORS sachets are more precise.

Continue feeding with bland foods

Contrary to old advice, do not starve diarrhoea. Eat small portions of rice, khichdi, banana, toast, or plain curd. The BRAT approach (banana, rice, applesauce, toast) provides easily digestible energy.

Avoid gut irritants

Skip dairy (except curd), caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, fatty meals, and high-fibre raw vegetables until stools firm up. These worsen motility and irritation.

Use zinc for children

WHO recommends 10–20 mg zinc daily for 10–14 days in children with diarrhoea. Zinc reduces duration and severity. Available as syrup or dispersible tablets.

Consider probiotics after antibiotics

If diarrhoea follows antibiotic use, Saccharomyces boulardii or Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG may help restore gut balance. Start after consulting your doctor.

Rest and monitor hydration

Check urine colour — pale yellow means adequate hydration. Dark urine, dry mouth, , or reduced urination signal dehydration needing urgent attention.

Do not give anti-diarrhoeal medication (loperamide) to children under 12 without medical advice. It can mask serious infections and cause complications.

Clinical guidance from NIH^[1] stresses matching home care to symptom severity and seeking urgent review when red-flag signs appear.

When to See a Doctor

Symptom or situation	Recommended action	Urgency
Signs of dehydration — sunken eyes, no tears, dry mouth,	Oral or IV rehydration needed; children need prompt care	Urgent — same day
Blood or mucus in stool	Evaluate for bacterial dysentery or inflammatory conditions	Within 24 hours
Diarrhoea lasting more than 7 days in adults or 2 days in infants	Rule out persistent infection or malabsorption	Within 48 hours
High above 39°C with diarrhoea	May indicate invasive bacterial infection	Same day
Severe abdominal pain with diarrhoea	Rule out complications; seek emergency care if sudden and intense	Urgent to emergency
Recent travel to areas with cholera or typhoid risk	Specific testing and treatment may be needed	Within 24 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make ORS at home?

Mix 6 level teaspoons of sugar and half a level teaspoon of salt in 1 litre of clean, boiled-cooled water. Stir until dissolved. Do not add extra salt or reduce sugar — incorrect ratios are ineffective or dangerous. Commercial ORS sachets are preferred when available.

Should I stop eating during diarrhoea?

No. Continued nutrition supports recovery and maintains energy. Eat small, bland meals. Fasting worsens weakness and does not shorten diarrhoea duration in most cases.

Is loperamide safe for adults?

Short-term loperamide can reduce stool frequency in adults with mild traveller’s diarrhoea. Avoid it if you have bloody diarrhoea, high , or suspected bacterial dysentery. Never use without medical guidance in children.

When is diarrhoea dangerous for children?

Diarrhoea kills more children globally than most other illnesses, primarily through dehydration. Watch for fewer wet nappies, sunken fontanelle in infants, listlessness, or inability to drink. Any of these warrant immediate medical care.

For verification and deeper reading, NHS^[2] offers independent, evidence-based information you can cross-check with your own clinician.

Related Guides

References & further reading

Sources cited in this guide. DIMH links to independent medical institutions for verification — not as a substitute for personal medical advice.

NIH — Digestive diseaseshttps://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases
NHS — Stomach ache and abdominal painhttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stomach-ache/
NIH — Complementary and integrative healthhttps://www.nccih.nih.gov/
MedlinePlus — Herbal medicinehttps://medlineplus.gov/herbalmedicine.html
NIMH — Mental health informationhttps://www.nimh.nih.gov/health
NHS — Mental healthhttps://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

When home care is not enough: chest pain, trouble breathing, confusion, or symptoms that worsen quickly need urgent medical attention.

Warning Signs First Aid at Home

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for your specific situation. Last reviewed: March 2026. Read our full Medical Disclaimer.