# Diarrhea: Deadly and Not **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 15, 2020, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diarrhea-deadly-and-not/920627 "2020-09-15T01:14:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2020, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diarrhea-deadly-and-not/920627/41 "2020-09-18T04:50:20Z")
Recipe for homemade pedialyteororal rehydration solution: From [Medscape.com](http://Medscape.com) If commercially prepared ORS is not available, the following recipe may be used: - In 1 L of water, add 2 level tablespoons of sugar or honey, a quarter teaspoon of table salt (NaCl), and a quarter teaspoon of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) - If baking soda is not available, use another quarter teaspoon of salt instead - If available, add one-half cup of orange juice, coconut water, or a mashed ripe banana to the drink - Use a safe water source, boil water if source is questioned I’ve flavored it with Crystal Light or a similar concentrated flavoring. I don’t add the oj or coconut water, plain unflavored isn’t unappealing enough to be worth the trouble to me. I’ve used this after colonoscopies or with stomach bugs. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2020, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diarrhea-deadly-and-not/920627/42 "2020-09-18T08:17:26Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > though I wouldn’t trust a site that references “Himalayan sea salt” (pretty sure “Himalayan” and “sea” are mutually exclusive) The Himalayas used to be underwater, which is why they’re a source of salt. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2020, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diarrhea-deadly-and-not/920627/43 "2020-09-18T09:42:24Z")
Prune juice should be good for the job. Just read the nutritional content label. (Sunsweet brand in particular has a very detailed label.) It’s practically like taking a one-a-day vitamin, there’s so much stuff (apparently all naturally occurring) in it. In particular, it allegedly has a notably high potassium content (590 mg, 15% DV) per 8-oz serving. But only negligible sodium, however. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2020, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diarrhea-deadly-and-not/920627/44 "2020-09-18T13:03:10Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > I wouldn’t trust a site that references “Himalayan sea salt” (pretty sure “Himalayan” and “sea” are mutually exclusive) Salt don’t care about a measly billion or two years. Salt is in it for the long haul. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2020, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diarrhea-deadly-and-not/920627/45 "2020-09-18T13:36:40Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > wouldn’t trust a site that references “Himalayan sea salt” (pretty sure “Himalayan” and “sea” are mutually exclusive) As others have said, not mutually exclusive. But FYI @needscoffee & **QtM** , our dear @Mama_Zappa really is onto something with what she _almost_ said: “Himalayan" and "sea salt” is mutually exclusive with “common sense” and “reasonable prices”. So there. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2020, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diarrhea-deadly-and-not/920627/46 "2020-09-18T16:09:50Z")
To provide electrolytes, sure… but wouldn’t prune juice actually exacerbate the diarrhea itself? It’s rather known for that effect. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2020, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diarrhea-deadly-and-not/920627/47 "2020-09-18T16:12:23Z")
True dat… though usually when someone talks about “sea salt” these days they are referring to something freshly “made” by evaporating actual seawater. Presumably something from the Himalayas could have similar trace elements (and perhaps less residual pollutants?). Plus you can sprinkle some chunks of the salt around the room and go woooooooooooo while you’re on the throne, adjusting your chakra while you’re adjusting your intestines! 💩 ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2020, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diarrhea-deadly-and-not/920627/48 "2020-09-18T18:10:50Z")
Wikipedia on Himalayan Sea Salt answers all these questions about minerals and pollutants, chakras and even the logistics of seas/salt/Himalayan Mountains. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2020, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diarrhea-deadly-and-not/920627/49 "2020-09-19T00:37:06Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > To provide electrolytes, sure… but wouldn’t prune juice actually exacerbate the diarrhea itself? It’s rather known for that effect. Well, for me the effect is so minimal I don’t think it would make any significant difference. But, everyone’s MMV. ---
**Author:** ![standardnoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/97f17d/32.png) [@standardnoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standardnoise)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2020, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diarrhea-deadly-and-not/920627/50 "2020-09-21T16:06:06Z")
Electrolytes and Hydration are your friends [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diarrhea-deadly-and-not/920627.md?page=2)