5 Natural Alternatives to Imodium & Loperamide

If you’re plagued with extended bursts of diarrhea, there’s a good chance you are taking Imodium (the brand name of Loperamide). Imodium is engineered to ease an assortment of bowel movement issues. For this reason, it is one of the most widely used over-the-counter drugs in the United States.

The only problem is the loads of side effects that can come along with taking loperamide. These side effects can include both mild and more serious, including:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Pain or general discomfort
• Hives
• Skin rash
• Breathing difficulties

Why Imodium For Diarrhea Relief?

Naturally, when you’re suffering from diarrhea or other stomach problems, you’ll do just about anything to find relief. When your digestive system is working properly, the foods and fluids you consume pass naturally from your stomach to your small intestine.

The remaining waste that is not broken down will then move to the colon where water is absorbed. The end product is, you know, stool.

So what happens when you are plagued by diarrhea? Ultimately, the cells in your intestines become irritated and become overactive. Various fluids pass through the large intestine too rapidly with less fluid absorbed. The end result is watery stool.

Imodium counteracts these problems with loperamide, which slows up you body to a normal digestive pace. It allows your body to absorb fluids and salts as it normally should – in turn, restoring the natural consistency of your stools.

It’s an effective solution. But again, it can pose some side effects. Hence, the reason more people are hunting for natural alternatives.

So without further adieu, below you will find our top natural remedies and lifestyle changes for stomach problems.

1. Probiotics

Foods and drinks like yogurt and kombucha contain probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms, serving as “good bacteria,” that offer powerful benefits for your body. They can improve a variety of health functions, including digestive health.

In addition to foods that contain probiotics, you can consume supplements which can be found online or at your local health food store.

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2. Clear Foods

In addition to probiotic-rich foods, there are other types of foods that can serve as cures for diarrhea. During an episode, eat “clear foods” – which you can see through – such as broth and Jell-o.

Note that with these dietary suggestions, it’s important to regulate your intake. Don’t go crazy and eat five containers of Jell-o!

3. Hydration

Staying hydrated is an essential part of maintaining your digestive health. And it’s not just about jugging gallons of water. If you are suffering from diarrhea, you can replenish your body with electrolytes and glucose by adding in a couple ingredients:

• Add a tsp of sugar and a pinch of salt to a quarter of water
• Add two to four drops of lemon juice to water

4. Supplements

We’ve already mentioned probiotics, which are arguably the best supplements for digestive health. But there are additional supplements available that can help as well:

• Glutamine powder: An amino acid that helps repair your digestive tract. This is particularly helpful for those with more serious instances of diarrhea.
• Digestive enzymes: These supplements help your body to absorb nutrients
• Aloe vera juice: Aloe vera has many beneficial applications. It is especially helpful for helping heal the lining of the digestive system.
• Fiber from Flax & Chia seeds: Soluble fiber that is found in Flax and Chia seeds help to thicken up stools and curb diarrhea.

5. Essential Oils

The fifth and final natural alternative to Imodium is essential oils. In fact, several studies have found that peppermint essential oil can greatly reduce bowel inflammation while soothing the digestive tract and loosening stools.

While there are a number of oils that can improve digestive health, peppermint is recommended as the top solution. There are two main ways to apply these oils for stomach problems:

1. Run four to five drops of peppermint through a diffuser in your home or office.
2. Mix a couple drops of peppermint with a carrier oil (coconut, jojoba, or others) and apply topically to areas around your stomach.

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