Can antibiotics cause diarrhea?

There is controversy about whether you should routinely take probiotics with antibiotics and the question cannot be answered with a straight yes or no. Evidence for taking probiotics with antibiotics includes a Cochrane review which reported that children who were given a course of probiotics after antibiotics had less diarrhea. Evidence against taking probiotics with antibiotics includes a 2019 Italian study that reported that the gut microbiome of people given probiotics after antibiotics took six months to return to its normal state compared to only three weeks for those not given any probiotics. More studies are needed before a definite statement can be made. Continue reading

When you have a stomach virus, it is best to eat bland and easy to-digest foods until your symptoms improve, such as:

• soda crackers (“saltines”)
• plain toast
• gelatin (“jello”)
• bananas
• rice
• plain chicken

It’s best to stay away from caffeine, dairy, alcohol, high amounts of sugar, and fried or spicy foods until you feel better. Continue reading

Metformin causes diarrhea by changing gut bacteria, affecting bile acid absorption, blocking water absorption in the intestines, and increasing gut-stimulating hormones. These combined effects make stools looser and more frequent.