How to stop diarrhea caused by gastroenteritis

Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on May 08, 2025
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Acute gastroenteritis is one of the common diseases of the digestive system, usually prevalent in the summer and autumn seasons. It may be caused by exposure to cold or improper diet and typically presents with symptoms such as intermittent abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, and sometimes fever and chills. The stool can be watery, mucous, or even bloody. As for how to stop diarrhea, it depends on the specific cause. If it is gastroenteritis caused by a virus, appropriate antiviral medications can be used in combination with antidiarrheal drugs, such as smectite powder. For bacterial enteritis, treatment primarily involves antibacterial therapy, such as cephalosporins or quinolone medications, combined with antidiarrheal drugs, which often can achieve satisfactory results. Also, a light diet should be maintained, avoiding raw, greasy, spicy, and irritating foods. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Does acute gastroenteritis cause stomach pain?

Acute gastroenteritis, due to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, can cause gastric colic. Clinically, it may manifest as upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It often occurs in the summer and is directly related to improper diet. It can cause not only stomach pain but also electrolyte imbalance, intestinal perforation, and sepsis. Active use of medications should be undertaken for treatment, with attention to prevent dehydration. During the treatment period, eat a light diet, avoid spicy food, rest well, and keep the abdominal area warm.

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Written by Zhai Guo Dong
Gastroenterology
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How to alleviate gastroenteritis?

If the patient has gastroenteritis, we recommend that the patient should rest in bed as much as possible. For patients with mild conditions, we can advise oral intake of glucose and electrolytes to replenish the loss of body fluids. If there is persistent vomiting or evident dehydration, intravenous rehydration with glucose saline and other relevant electrolytes is necessary. We encourage the intake of light liquid or semi-liquid diet to prevent or treat mild dehydration. Additionally, injections of pain relievers, antispasmodic drugs, and antidiarrheal medications can be administered for symptomatic treatment. For infectious diarrhea, targeted antibiotics can be used, but it is advised to avoid their misuse.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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What to do if a child has gastroenteritis?

For children with gastroenteritis, we first treat the gut with probiotics, such as oral bifidobacterium or lactobacillus acidophilus. Then, we can provide gastrointestinal mucosal protectants, such as montmorillonite powder. At the same time, since gastroenteritis may cause dehydration and electrolyte disorders, it is necessary to replenish fluids and electrolytes, commonly using oral rehydration salts. If the gastroenteritis is suspected to be caused by a viral infection, some antiviral medications should be taken orally. If it is considered to be caused by a bacterial infection, oral antibiotics for anti-infection treatment, such as cephalosporins or penicillins, should be administered.

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Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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How long does it take to get an IV for acute gastroenteritis?

Acute gastroenteritis, as understood literally, occurs quite suddenly and rapidly. Therefore, its treatment is not very complicated. Typically, it can be cured in a short term. If it is a bacterial infection, you might choose Levofloxacin, which is quite effective in reducing intestinal inflammation. Generally, about three days of intravenous infusion can cure it. After stopping the infusion, you can take some probiotics orally and adjust the intestinal microenvironment, which can make recovery more thorough. So, if you suffer from acute gastroenteritis, there's no need to panic. As long as you maintain good dietary hygiene, you can recover quickly.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Acute gastroenteritis requires medication.

The drug treatment for acute gastroenteritis should be based on the specific cause. If it is a viral infection that causes gastroenteritis, it can generally be treated with oral antiviral drugs and astringent antidiarrheal drugs to achieve good therapeutic effects. If it is caused by improper food intake and bacterial infection, it usually requires the use of antibacterial drugs, such as cephalosporins or quinolones for anti-inflammatory purposes. If diarrhea is severe, appropriate antidiarrheal drugs can be taken for symptomatic treatment. At the same time, attention should be paid to a light and easily digestible diet, avoiding raw, greasy, spicy food and alcohol, which can generally relieve symptoms gradually.