Cola and pretzel sticks in case of diarrhea?

Cola and salt sticks as a home remedy for diarrhea not suitable

02/05/2013

Cola and pretzel sticks are known as a home remedy for diarrhea, but they can even aggravate the symptoms in acute diarrhea, rather than contribute to their relief, reports the Association of German Pharmacists Associations (ABDA) in a recent press release. To compensate for fluid loss and lack of electrolyte, it is recommended to use a pre-prepared electrolyte solution or water enriched with saline, baking soda, organ juice and honey.

According to ABDA, acute diarrhea is usually caused by viruses here, which is why „Antibiotics usually have no benefit - with the exception of inflammatory diarrhea, which is often caused by bacteria“, so private lecturer med. Hans-Jörg Epple at the international advanced training congress of the Federal Chamber of Pharmacists. Antibiotics are in viral intestinal infections „Not only senseless, they can also damage the intestinal flora and lead to complications such as severe forms“, explained Epple. In acute diarrhea, it is especially important to compensate for the loss of fluid and electrolytes.

According to the Federal Association of German Pharmacist Associations, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends to compensate for fluid and electrolyte loss in diarrhea „a defined mixture of salts such as sodium chloride, sodium citrate and potassium chloride and additionally glucose (glucose) in a defined ratio.“ The electrolyte solutions available in pharmacies comply with these WHO recommendations and help reliably, reports the ADBA. „The well-known home remedy Cola plus pretzel sticks I can not recommend against acute diarrhea“, emphasized Hans-Jörg Epple. This combination contains „too much sugar, which can increase diarrhea.“ Also missing „other salts like potassium or citrate in this outdated home remedy“, Epple continues. Therefore, the expert advises to treat diarrhea always with a defined electrolyte mixture.

As an alternative to the specially blended electrolyte solutions could be avoided if necessary, on another home remedy, „which also consists of common foods and at least approximately complies with WHO recommendations“, explained Epple. To do this, dissolve one-quarter teaspoon of table salt and one-quarter teaspoon of baking soda in one liter of boiled water or still mineral water. Then add two tablespoons of sugar or honey and half a cup of orange juice, with the orange juice serving the potassium intake, which can alternatively be ensured by eating one or two crushed bananas. Overall, this self-mixed home remedy makes it possible to compensate for fluid and electrolyte loss relatively efficiently, reports the expert. Coke and pretzel sticks should be taboo in case of diarrhea. (Fp)

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Picture: tokamuwi