These steps can help you keep diarrhea from starting or getting worse:

• Limit the amount of fiber in your diet. Don't eat high-fiber foods such as whole-grain bread and brown rice. Instead, eat white bread and rice.

• Eat foods rich in potassium, such as bananas and oranges. This can help replace electrolytes lost due to diarrhea.

• Eat small, frequent meals.

• Drink plenty of fluids. Water, juice, sports drinks, and flat light sodas, such as ginger ale, are best. They can help replace fluids lost due to diarrhea.

• Stay away from coffee, tea, and alcohol.

• Don't eat foods that are fried, greasy, spicy, or sweet.

• Limit milk products and how much milk you drink.

Ongoing diarrhea is not something you have to live with. And it can become harmful. Talk with your healthcare provider about:

• Your risk for diarrhea
• What you can do to try to prevent it
• What you should do if it starts

You may be given medicine to stop diarrhea or help keep it from starting. Your healthcare provider may also suggest these tips:

• Use an ointment to soothe irritation.
• Keep the anal area clean with a mild soap or baby wipes.

. Don’t take any over-the-counter products without checking with your healthcare provider first.

See your healthcare provider if any of these happen:

• The diarrhea lasts more than 24 to 48 hours.

• There is blood in your stool or when you wipe.

• You have pain in your belly.

• You become lightheaded or dizzy.

• Your urine turns very dark or you stop urinating.

• The medicine you were given to stop diarrhea is not working.