Home treatment of diarrhea in adults with viral gastroenteritis includes hydration and dietary therapy.

Hydration
Those who are able to drink liquids can restore lost water and salt with oral rehydration therapy (ORT).

ORT fluids are usually used in children, but are also effective for adults. These include:

• Infalyte
• Lytren
• Naturalyte
• Pedialyte
• Rehydralyte
• ReVital
• Generic drugstore brands

Additional ORT fluids include:

• Soft drinks without caffeine
• Sports drinks (Gatorade)
• Tea
• Water

Dietary Therapy
ORT is most important if you have vomiting with the diarrhea. Once vomiting and nausea resolves, eat bland foods first. If you tolerate bland food, then you can resume a normal diet.

Foods that may help diarrhea:

• Applesauce
• Bananas
• Bread
• Cereal
• Crackers
• Mashed potatoes
• Noodles
• Oatmeal
• Potatoes
• Rice
• Strained carrots
• Wheat
• Yogurt

Items that may worsen diarrhea include:

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Concentrated fruit juices
• High-sugar foods (junk food)
• Cow's milk
• Spicy foods
• Sugar substitutes