Diarrhea, which involves frequent loss of watery stools, can be a real nightmare. It is often caused by a gastrointestinal infection and creates severe discomfort. In most cases, it is best to stay home for a couple of days so that you can recover. However, if you can't help but go out or are forced to use the school toilet, you may have a hard time coping with the situation outside the home. By treating symptoms and taking precautions, you can manage a diarrhea episode in the school setting.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Coping with the School Day
Step 1. Go to the bathroom during breaks
Even if you think it's unnecessary, try to go to the bathroom whenever you have a break between subjects. This will prevent attacks from occurring during class or at other less desirable times. Find time to go to the bathroom. If you are late to class, explain to the teacher that you are not feeling well and that you need to go to the bathroom several times.
- Tell the teacher why you are late. If you are embarrassed, invite him to speak outside the classroom. Remember that teachers are ready to help pupils, so by letting your teacher know what is happening, you will avoid unfortunate situations. For example, you might say, "Could I please talk to you about something important outside the classroom?" Once you're out, tell him, "I'm sorry, but I'm having terrible stomach problems. Maybe I'll have to get up and go to the bathroom during class."
- Give priority to your health condition. If you have difficulty communicating with your teacher or doesn't offer the help you need, don't hesitate to put your well-being first. Do what you need to do to manage diarrhea. Without a doubt, you shouldn't disturb the rest of the class or create a nuisance within the school context, but you should also prioritize your health.
Step 2. Sit by the door
If you have to go to the bathroom often, let the teacher know what's going on and ask if you can sit next to the door. This way, as soon as you feel bad, you will have the opportunity to sneak out of the classroom, without the risk of disturbing the lesson or drawing attention to yourself.
- Consider asking permission to sit on the floor next to the door if necessary. If someone intrigued asks you something, you can easily answer: "My back is killing me today and, sitting on the chair, I'm even worse."
- Don't make a noise when you go out. Stand up as quietly as possible and gently open the door so as not to draw attention to yourself.
- Go to the bathroom during breaks, even if you think you don't need to. These preventive shipments may prevent you from escaping to the toilet in the following hours.
Step 3. Put on a pair of absorbent briefs
If you have severe diarrhea, you may want to consider wearing disposable underwear designed specifically for fecal incontinence. It is able to absorb any type of evacuation and prevent the smell that could spread, preventing other people from hearing it. By helping you with intestinal problems, it can also give you some peace of mind.
Get diaper panties, absorbent briefs and / or panty diapers with belt fastening system. Choose the product you prefer, which you find most comfortable and which is easy to use
Step 4. Bring a change of clothes with you
Before you leave the house in the morning, prepare another set of underwear and pants in case of an emergency. It will also allow you to relieve anxiety at the thought of some accident. If you have problems with diarrhea when you are in school, ask if it is possible to have a change of clothes in the infirmary or if you can call your parents to advise them to bring you more clothes.
- Cover the back of your pants with your backpack or shirt until you get to the bathroom or infirmary to change.
- Bring similar clothing if you can. For example, if you are wearing jeans, have a spare pair ready. If someone asks you something, you can answer: "I ate too much for lunch and my other jeans were squeezing my waist."
- If someone asks you why you changed, tell them that you are trying out different combinations of clothes throughout the day.
Step 5. Feel safe
It's easy to feel ashamed or embarrassed if you have diarrhea problems in a public place like school. However, you need to remember that everyone has a bowel movement and that diarrhea can affect anyone in their lifetime. By keeping this in mind, you will be able to calm down and relieve discomfort.
Go to the bathroom without problems. Holding on to stool is bothersome, but also painful. If necessary, enter the toilet and, before leaving, wait until the others have left
Step 6. Wash your hands
Whenever you go to the bathroom, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. This way you will avoid spreading diarrhea or aggravating your physical condition.
- Wet your hands with warm water, then lather them for at least 20 seconds, the time you need to sing "Happy Birthday" a couple of times. Rinse them thoroughly again to get rid of any soap residue.
- If you can't wash them with soap and water, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Pour it on the back and palm of each hand and scrub it like you do with soap.
Part 2 of 3: Take Precautions
Step 1. Calm down
If you panic or anxiety due to diarrhea, you risk worsening the situation since in the face of unexpected events the body reacts by reducing the control of the sphincters. By explaining to yourself what to do and rephrasing the situation, you can calm down and calm the gut.
- Avoid thinking, "What would happen if I didn't go to the bathroom?" and "What a terrible situation!". Rather, consider that these kinds of incidents rarely happen, that they have never happened to you, or that if you don't get excited, your gut will stay calm as well.
- Consider doing some deep breathing exercises, as this can help keep you calm and keep your bowels from fidgeting. Inhale and exhale deeply and at a steady pace counting for 4 or 5 seconds.
Step 2. Don't try to force or tense yourself up
It is normal to contract the muscles around the rectum in case of diarrhea. However, these movements can actually make the problem worse, causing muscle fatigue, weakness, aches and cramps. Avoid tensing or twitching as much as possible.
Step 3. Go to the infirmary
If diarrhea surprises you while you are in school, if you go to school without taking this issue into account, or if the situation gets worse, tell the school nurse. It can help you face the day better without too much inconvenience.
- Talk openly to the nurse without shame or embarrassment. He is used to intervening in various cases of physical ailment, including diarrhea. If you have a hard time telling him explicitly, you can tell him in another way, for example: "I have a terrible stomach ache and I can't stop going to the bathroom." This way you will tell him what your problem is.
- Ask the nurse if he can give you justification for your teachers, a place to lie down, or even an antidiarrheal. He may also give you clear fluids or other treatments.
Step 4. Take your attention away from bowel sounds
In case of diarrhea, the belly may make loud, indicative noises. If you are in class and your stomach also decides to attend, use various tactics to divert attention. You can always be honest and say, "I'm not feeling well and I apologize if my stomach is rumbling" or you can laugh at it by saying, "I'm not well and my stomach wants to respond for me." You can also distract from the noises produced by the intestine:
- Coughing;
- Sneezing
- Moving in the chair;
- Laughing, if the time is right;
- By asking a question;
- Completely ignoring the noises.
Part 3 of 3: Treating the Symptoms
Step 1. Drink large quantities of clear liquids
It is very likely that if you have diarrhea, you will lose a lot of valuable fluids and electrolytes. Therefore, try to stay hydrated not only to feel better, but also to cleanse your digestive system faster.
- Try to drink at least 250ml of clear liquids every hour. Clear liquids include water, broth, fruit juice, and light-colored carbonated drinks. Broths and soups, such as chicken soup and fruit-only juices, are great choices because they also help replenish lost electrolytes.
- Consider bringing a bottle or thermos filled with liquids with you. If you have any problems, let your school teacher or nurse know why you have this container with you. For example, you might say, "I know drinking is not tolerated in class, but I have been very ill and have to drink during the day." You can also ask your parents to write a note explaining your situation to the teachers.
- Avoid consuming caffeinated drinks, such as coffee or black tea. You shouldn't even drink alcohol.
Step 2. Eat simple foods
If you suffer from diarrhea, your bowels are likely to be upset and, therefore, you need to give them a chance to rest. Eat on the BRAT diet - based on bananas (banana), rice (rice), apple juice (applesauce) and toast (toast) - to restore gastrointestinal functions and replenish lost electrolytes.
- If you can, eat boiled potatoes, crackers, and jelly for lunch. If you want to snack, consider crackers as they can help calm your stomach. Other excellent choices are bananas, apricots, and sports drinks.
- If you bring perishable foods to school, be sure to put them in a refrigerator until ready to eat them. You can also keep them cool in a cooler bag.
- If you feel better, try to eat berries, vegetables, grains.
Step 3. Avoid heavy or spicy foods
If you feel hungry in case of diarrhea, it is important to treat your stomach gently. Stay away from spicy, fatty or fried foods as well as dairy products. They could further upset the stomach and make the problem worse.
- Avoid adding spices or spicy foods for lunch, such as Mexican food. They can irritate the stomach walls.
- If you eat at the school cafeteria and can't find anything other than your normal daily meals, ask if there are alternatives for lunch.
Step 4. Take effective diarrhea medication
Consider taking an antidiarrheal, such as loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate. It can reduce the frequency of bowel movements and calm you down when you are in class or walking in the corridors.
- Be aware that antidiarrheal medications do not work for all types of diarrhea and that their administration is not recommended for children. Take them only if you are sure your diarrhea is not caused by a bacterium or parasite and / or if you are over 12 years old. If not, you should consult your doctor for more appropriate treatment.
- If you are taking an antidiarrheal, be sure to follow the instructions on the package. Otherwise, you could make your physical condition worse.
- If you have severe diarrhea, ask your doctor to prescribe a medication such as codeine phosphate, diphenoxylate, or cholestyramine. These drugs should only be used under medical supervision to avoid serious and life-threatening complications.
Step 5. Stand still
With too much effort, you risk worsening your physical condition and may feel the need to go to the bathroom more often. In class, don't move more than necessary. Avoid attending physical education classes or extracurricular sports activities.
Bring the teachers a justification signed by your parents explaining that you are physically unwell and unable to move too much
Step 6. Bring the wipes
It is normal for the anus to become irritated when it is cleaned too often, so if the toilet paper is rough, it can make its condition worse. Carry a pack of soft, moistened wipes in your bag to prevent or relieve this discomfort.
