Once your gut is ready “to go” (especially with diarrhea), there is very little you can do at that moment to stop the process. It is often better to just go. Trying to hold it in can be painful and cause other discomforts. However, you can try taking these steps to alleviate and help symptoms subside: Slow your breathing: Taking slow, deliberate breaths while expanding your abdomen (instead of your chest) can help reduce symptoms and regulate homeostasis. If expanding your abdomen feels awkward, it is okay. Just work on slowing down your breathing.  Stay distracted: Many people find that fixating on their abdominal issues tends to exacerbate the problem. Instead, make sure you are finding ways to stay distracted. Eat some bread: For lots of people, bread has a natural tendency to decrease diarrhea (assuming you are not sensitive to it). It also serves as an effective distraction (hint to the suggestion above) while promoting blood flow to your GI tract through chewing, reactivating this system.   If you or someone you know is experiencing vomiting and diarrhea, come to Reddy Urgent Care today! We have certified specialists to help get you back on the path to health! Contact our office today to get in touch with a specialist. To book an appointment, call us or visit us online! We serve patients from Downtown Long Beach CA, Paramount CA, East Side CA, Bixby Knolls Long Beach CA, and Los Altos CA.