Nothing can stop children’s play and happiness and disrupt parents’ life plans as much as a small, standard, and unexpected illness like diarrhea. Various methods, including home remedies and medicines, have been mentioned to treat children’s diarrhea.
Depending on the cause of your child’s diarrhea, you can use one of the methods discussed in this article and follow us.
Five causes of diarrhea in children
To determine if your child has diarrhea, look for loose or liquid stools at least three or more times a day. Here are some common causes of diarrhea in children:
1. Viral infections
Viruses such as rotavirus, norovirus, and respiratory viruses can cause diarrhea in children. These infections are usually transmitted and enter the body through the mucous membrane of the nose and mouth.
2. Bacterial infections
Certain bacteria can cause gastrointestinal infections in children. These infections usually occur after they consume water or food contaminated with bacteria. As a result, paying attention to children’s nutrition is essential.
3. Parasitic infections
Parasites such as amoeba, giardia, and cryptosporidium can cause diarrhea in children.
4. Sensitivity or allergy
Allergy to certain substances, such as dairy, wheat, or other foods, can cause diarrhea in children. Other symptoms, such as vomiting and heartburn, usually accompany this diarrhea.
5. Entry of objects or dirty hands into the mouth
Irritation of the digestive system in children under five years old caused by entering contaminated and dirty objects into their mouths leads to diarrhea.
Factors aggravating diarrhea in children
The factors you read below can also lead to diarrhea in children. Of course, sometimes your child may have diarrhea, and the following factors may aggravate diarrhea.
1. Drug reactions
Some medicines have a laxative effect on children and adults. Antibiotics can also cause diarrhea in children in a few cases.
2. Diseases and problems related to the stomach and intestines
Children with irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease may experience diarrhea more often.
3. Surgical operations
If your child has undergone stomach and gallbladder surgery, he is likely to have diarrhea.
Types of diarrhea in children
The method of treating children’s diarrhea is diagnosed and implemented according to their type of diarrhea. Diarrhea in children is divided into three categories, which you can read below:
1. Mild diarrhea
Usually, two to five watery stools per day are called mild diarrhea. This type of diarrhea in children disappears within a few days and does not cause any unique problems. Keeping him on a regular diet to treat mild diarrhea in children is better. If the baby has diarrhea in infants, increase the number of feedings but give less milk at each feeding.
It is better to avoid juice or liquids containing a lot of sugar for a child with diarrhea because they can make the situation worse and diarrhea more severe. Avoid giving tea to the child and use foods like rice, cereals, and crackers instead.
2. Moderate to severe diarrhea
Children with six or more loose, watery stools daily have moderate to severe diarrhea. In such a situation, because the child loses a lot of water, you should go for medical treatment so that, God forbid, there will be no problem for him.
ORS is a medicine for diarrhea sold in powder form in pharmacies. This medicine replaces the lost electrolytes and fluids that your child needs, but you should not rely on this medicine alone. Using other liquids in such conditions is very helpful for the child.
During diarrhea, avoid cooking and giving food containing red color to the child Because it may mislead you and make you think that your child has bloody diarrhea.
It is better to include rice and grains in the child’s diet plan, and if the diarrhea is protracted, be sure to consult a doctor to treat the child’s diarrhea.
What is the right food to treat children’s diarrhea?
To treat your child’s diarrhea, it is better to use the following foods:
- boiled or grilled beef, chicken, fish and turkey meat
- boiled eggs
- the banana
- boiled potato
- apple sauce
- bread baked with white flour
- white rice
- white pasta
- Cereals such as bulgur, oats and corn kernels
- Pancakes and waffles made with white flour
- cooked vegetables such as carrots, green beans, mushrooms, beets and squash
- cookie
What food is not suitable for children’s diarrhea?
Dairy products: In general, dairy products may make your child’s diarrhea worse, so it is better to use low-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt. You can give your baby some buttermilk and salt if you want.
Fried food: Never give your child fried, processed, and fast food during diarrhea because these foods are heavy for his stomach and intestines.
Caffeinated and carbonated juice and liquids: Do not use juice, tea, and carbonated drinks to supply your child with solutes during diarrhea because they irritate the stomach and him again.
When should you call a doctor to treat a child’s diarrhea?
It is essential to know what is causing your child’s diarrhea. Children with viral diarrhea may also have fever and vomiting. If your child shows any of these symptoms during diarrhea, be sure to see a doctor:
- A fever that lasts more than 24 to 48 hours
- bloody stools
- Vomiting that lasts more than 12 to 24 hours
- vomit that is green, bloody, or looks like coffee grounds
- swelling of the abdomen or stomach
- lack of desire to eat and drink
- severe abdominal or stomach pain
- Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
Ways to prevent diarrhea in children
It can be difficult for parents with energetic and playful children to keep them away from viruses and bacteria. Naturally, children of these families are more likely to suffer from diarrhea. Hygiene measures are the best way to prevent children’s diarrhea in such a situation.
Parents should be aware of the following so that their work does not reach the stage of treating children’s diarrhea.
Hand washing: Teach children to wash their hands well with soap and water before every meal, after going to the bathroom, and after playing with their belongings or dirt and animals.
Drinking water and healthy food: Make sure that the water children drink is purified and that the food you give them is not properly cooked, spoiled, or outdated.
Do not stop breastfeeding: If you have an infant who is not yet six months old, doctors recommend that you do not stop breastfeeding. Mother’s natural milk contains antibodies and nutrients that can strengthen the baby’s immune system and prevent infections and diarrhea.
Food hygiene:
- Keep food at the right temperature.
- Do not use spoiled or expired food.
- Wash fruits and vegetables well before consumption, and don’t give undercooked or raw foods like fish to children.
Vaccination: A regular vaccination program for children can effectively prevent some infections and viruses that cause diarrhea. So, take children’s vaccination schedule seriously.
Ways to treat children’s diarrhea
Diarrhea alone is not a dangerous disease. If your child has an infectious disease, diarrhea will help him get better sooner Because the intestine tries to remove internal infections from his body.
Medication is usually unnecessary to get rid of diarrhea in children, but if your child’s diarrhea lasts more than a few days, consult a pediatrician to determine the cause and treatment. Your doctor may suggest diet changes, medication, or other treatment options for severe diarrhea. For your child to not be dehydrated during diarrhea, increasing his fluid intake is better. Water is the best liquid to treat diarrhea in children.
Conclusion
Humans can get diarrhea at any age, but it’s different in children. Because children are exposed to viruses and bacteria more than adults, so they get sick sooner and more efficiently.
Diarrhea can occur in your child for various reasons. If your child has an infectious disease, diarrhea is one of the body’s ways of fighting the infection, which will disappear and heal within a few days.
To treat a child’s diarrhea, you can give your child water and foods such as rice, pasta, curd, and yogurt. Suppose your child’s diarrhea lasts more than a few days or the number of watery stools is more than six times daily. In that case, it is better to consult a doctor and start medical treatment.