Survival and Diarrhea What You Should Know

Survival and Diarrhea What You Should Know
by M.D. Creekmore · 95 comments
This is a guest post by Anonymous Nurse and entry in our non-fiction writing contest – where you could win $100 cash.
I am a Registered Nurse and see a lot of misinformation out there regarding medical prepping. One thing that I see repeatedly is poor advice regarding Diarrhea. So I thought I would offer up some advice on the topic. So “not cool” I know, but so very critical. All the ammo in the world can’t help you if you mishandle this situation.
Diarrhea is in fact one of the most common, potentially deadliest, illness that we will see in a SHTF situation. How much do you know about treating it? Think that you can pop an Imodium and be ok? WRONG! In certain situations that one mistake can cost you your life. Here is my take on Diarrhea 101.
Why is this so serious to the Prepper?
1. Hygiene. Post-SHTF (literally in this case) human waste will be overwhelming to those who have not prepped. For many, there may be a lack of clean water. Hand washing will be difficult and something that simple can be so devastating. In 2009, diarrhea was estimated to have caused 1.1 million deaths in people aged 5 and over and 1.5 million deaths in children under the age of 5.
2. Lack of Knowledge. Ever hear of the saying that a little knowledge can do a lot of damage? Well when it comes to use of medications it is very true. It pains me to hear of people building up large stores of antibiotics and anti-diarrhea medication without the understanding of how to use them. If someone takes an anti-diarrhea medication like lope amide (Imodium) while they are having an active parasitic infection – they can die. If someone uses broad-spectrum antibiotics casually (Levaquin, Cipro) they can easily cause an antibiotic caused colitis that can be deadly if untreated.
3. Failure to understand the many causes of diarrhea. Diarrhea can be one of the body’s best natural defenses against serious illness. It is basically a mechanism to flush out the “bad bug” from your system. It can be a very natural process that is usually self-limited in a couple of days for most healthy adults.
The big picture is to understand how to treat diarrhea without making the infection worse or getting dehydrated.
What you can do?
1. Assessment. This is the first step in any medical situation and diarrhea is no exception. What contributed to the diarrhea? What has been the intake for the last 24-48 hours? Any unusual food items? Any unusual symptoms (bloody stool, etc)? Any possible spoiled or contaminated food or water intake? Any failures in sanitation systems? Could this be a parasite? Has there been recent treatment with Antibiotics?
2. Immediately begin a BRAT diet – Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast. Post SHTF – for most peppers having the rice and perhaps a basic bread from grain stores would be ok. Unless you live in a tropical climate having access to bananas may be out. Instant Mashed potatoes would be good too and many of us may have this item. The idea here is to eat soft, bulky foods that are easy to digest to give your system a little rest.
4. DO NOT IMMEDIATELY TAKE AN ANTIDIARRHEA MEDICATION. Give your body some time to eliminate the infection. If there are signs/symptoms or reasons for you to believe that you may have a bacteria or parasitic infection – do not take a medication that stops the diarrhea like Loperamide (Imodium), instead reach for a binding agent like Bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectade or Pepto-Bismol). That should help pull the bad bugs while slowing the diarrhea down. It also will reduce the chance for dehydration.
5. DO NOT Drink Plain Water. Diarrhea + plain water can be a bad combination. In this situation, water can actually make you sicker as the cells begin to shift their fluid status in an effort to combat electrolyte depletion. Any electrolyte replacement fluid should be fine here – from brand name Pedialyte to off-brand electrolyte tablets sold in many survival outfits.
6. Know the signs of dehydration. In an adult, dehydration can cause increased heart rate (over 100 for most people), decreased blood pressure (Systolic – top number – under 80 for most people) dry chapped lips, dry tongue, and lack of urine production. In a post SHTF situation, you will need to use your skills to understand the difference between allowing your body to eliminate infection (i.e.: probably 12-24 hours) and when to begin to aggressively treat dehydration.
Medications to keep on hand outside the usual “survival/first aid” type information

1. Electrolyte replacement fluid such as Pedialyte.
2. Bulking agent such as Bismuth subsalicylate. Common ones are known as Kaopectade and Pepto Bismol. (these also may reduce nausea associated with diarrhea) They work by controlling the amount of fluid in your intestines and reducing bacteria and inflammation.
3. ProBiotics to restore good bacteria after diarrhea illness such as Florastor.
4. Prescription Medication to treat E.Coli diarrhea: Rifaximin, brand name Xifaxan. This is an antibiotic used very commonly in people traveling to places where hygiene is not adequate and E. Coli diarrhea is common. Tip – Many physicians will prescribe this to people planning trips to third-world countries.
5. Prescription Medication to treat antibiotic-related diarrhea and parasitic diarrhea – Metronidazole, brand name Flagyl.
6. Loperamide (Imodium) – this should be the survivalist’s last resort diarrhea drug to prevent severe dehydration. It literally works by slowing the intestines down. Therefore retaining everything in the system and possibly prolonging the illness.

h/t Sharon N Lance Palmer