What is better to give for diarrhea. Causes and symptoms
First aid for a child with diarrhea
The child's body is still very imperfect and can react with diarrhea to the strangest causes from the point of view of an adult - teething, the introduction of complementary foods, the first day in kindergarten, a cold, climate change when traveling to the sea. It is impossible to discount such traditional causes of diarrhea for children and adults as bacterial or viral infections, the influence of drugs, various internal diseases.
Regardless of the reason for the development of diarrhea, it does much more harm to a child than to an adult, as it rapidly removes water, vitamins and mineral salts from the body, threatening severe consequences of dehydration. Therefore, with the development of diarrhea, it is necessary to take control of this process as soon as possible, try to stop it, or at least reduce the intensity before the visit of a doctor who will investigate the causes of diarrhea. Usually, in such cases, pharmaceutical preparations against dehydration of the body are recommended. If for some reason they are not available, then you can replace them in children with folk remedies.
One way is to take a glass of orange juice (it contains potassium chloride needed for diarrhea), add half a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of baking soda. Then add boiled water so that you get 1 liter of drink. Give the child every 20 minutes a teaspoon or a tablespoon - depending on age (described below).
If there is no orange juice, we take a tablespoon of sugar and a teaspoon of salt without a slide, dilute all this in a glass of non-cold boiled water and give the baby a spoonful every 15-20 minutes.
Diarrhea remedies for toddlers
Folk remedies for diarrhea in children under 5-6 years of age should be chosen strictly individually and after consultation with a doctor, especially when it comes to herbal preparations. Until the age of three, a baby can prepare a herbal collection of a maximum of 2-3 medicinal plants. Older children can combine more complex antidiarrheal formulations.
Even the smallest with diarrhea can be recommended rice broth, which is prepared from 1 tablespoon of peeled rice, boiled for 45 minutes in 0.5 liters of water without salt. Warm broth should be filtered and given every 2 hours for a few small spoons. Such a decoction has enveloping properties - it relieves irritation in the intestines, absorbs excess fluid and removes gases.
The child should be allowed to drink sweet black tea - it has astringent properties, as well as chamomile tea - it has anti-spasmodic and antibacterial effects. Chamomile flowers are brewed in a teapot like ordinary tea, but they are allowed to drink it no more than 2-3 times a day.
A decoction of dried blueberries helps relieve diarrhea and firm stools. It is prepared from a teaspoon of berries, which must be boiled in 0.5 liters of water for 5 minutes. To reduce peristalsis, you can brew oak bark for a child: boil a teaspoon for 250 ml of water for 10 minutes, then leave for half an hour and strain. Such decoctions give the baby a few sips every hour.
Diarrhea in children is perhaps the most common reason for visiting a doctor in the summer. For example, diarrhea may develop on the first berries due to enzyme deficiency. If nausea and diarrhea appear after such delicacies, it is worth giving the child mint tea: brew 2 teaspoons of peppermint with a glass of boiling water, cool and let them drink in small sips throughout the day. If indigestion with diarrhea continues in the summer for no apparent reason, you can mix St. John's wort and yarrow in equal proportions, then brew a tablespoon of this mixture with a glass of boiling water. Give the child to drink in the morning on an empty stomach in a warm form. Any herbal decoctions and infusions can be given to children no longer than 2-4 weeks, even with chronic diarrhea.
When a child has been poisoned by some foods, a decoction from the rhizome of the burnet helps with diarrhea. Helps to remove toxins, relieves inflammation of the mucous membranes and reduces intestinal motility. The decoction is prepared from a tablespoon of crushed root, poured with 250 ml of boiling water - all this is boiled for 40 minutes, then 1 teaspoon of the decoction is added to 0.5 cups of warm water and given to the child half an hour before each meal.
Important! Children should not prepare decoctions from plants such as wild rosemary, celandine, barberry, etc. They are permissible only under the supervision of a doctor for serious indications
Care should be taken with herbs if the child is allergic. Folk remedies should not harm the general condition of the body: for example, mint, oregano can exacerbate allergies, and sage, nettle, licorice root, ginseng and hops can affect the baby's endocrine system and also aggravate the allergic condition.
As a rule, to reduce diarrhea, children are recommended a diet, vitamin therapy, and folk remedies with an enveloping and astringent effect. Among astringents, children can use decoctions of oak bark, St. John's wort, alder cones, herb succession. Traditionally recommended coating agents are potato starch, flaxseed, oatmeal and rice water.
Diarrhea is frequent watery stools. Typically, diarrhea in children less than a year old is the result of a stomach infection and usually lasts only a few days.
But the term "diarrhea in a one-year-old child" refers to a condition that lasts more than seven days. With it, children have watery stools from 2 to 10 times a day, bowel movements may contain pieces of undigested food.
Symptoms
First, think about what is normal for your child. Some children have several bowel movements per day, others have no stool for several days - and this is normal. An accidental single loosening of the stool is not a cause for concern. But if your baby's bowel habit suddenly changes—that is, he pushes harder than usual and comes out looser, more watery stools—then it's most likely diarrhea.
While a severe bout of diarrhea may sound alarming, rest assured that most cases are not a serious health risk until your little one shows signs of dehydration.
If the child is generally healthy and is getting plenty of fluids, most diarrhea will go away in a couple of days.
The list of possible reasons is long. Diarrhea is caused by viruses or a bacterial infection.
- viral infection. Rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus, and astrovirus cause diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. It is possible to increase the temperature to 38 ˚Ϲ in a child, chills;
- bacterial infection. Bacterial food poisoning can cause diarrhea. Common bacteria that cause food poisoning are Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli, and Campylobacter. If the baby has a bacterial infection, he has severe diarrhea. Less common are abdominal cramps, bloody stools in the baby, and fever. Vomiting may or may not be present.
When your baby has symptoms of a bacterial infection, make an appointment with the doctor. He will conduct an examination and, possibly, recommend passing feces for flora;
Talk to your doctor about alternatives and remedies to restore gut flora, but don't stop giving your child any prescribed medications without consulting a specialist;
- drinking a lot of juices. Drinking large amounts of juice (especially fruit juice containing sorbitol and high fructose levels) or large amounts of sweetened drinks can upset a baby's stomach and cause loose stools. Reducing the amount of juice should resolve the issue in a week or so. Pediatricians recommend giving your baby no more than one small glass (about 150-200 ml) of juice per day;
- food allergy. When a child has a food allergy, it means that the body's immune system reacts in this way to normal, harmless food proteins. A mild or more severe reaction appears either immediately or after a couple of hours. Cow's milk is the most common food allergen. Other foods that cause allergies are peanuts, eggs, soy, tree nuts, wheat, shellfish and fish. Food allergy symptoms include diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, and bloody stools. In severe cases, allergies cause vomiting, hives, rashes, swelling, and difficulty breathing.
If you suspect your child has a food allergy, talk to your pediatrician;
- food intolerance. Unlike a food allergy, an intolerance (sometimes called a food sensitivity) is an abnormal reaction that is not related to the immune system. One example is lactose intolerance. If the baby is lactose intolerant, it means that his body does not have enough lactase, an enzyme for digesting lactose.
Lactose is the sugar in cow's milk and milk products. When undigested lactose lingers in the intestines, it causes diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, and gas. Also, if a baby has a severe case of diarrhea, they may temporarily have trouble producing lactase, resulting in symptoms of lactose intolerance within a week or two;
- poisoning. Toddlers are adventurous and always want to try something new. This often results in them tasting inedible substances such as chemicals, plants, or medicines.
If your child swallows such an object, diarrhea and vomiting may develop. You need to urgently take your baby to the hospital or call an emergency room. Other symptoms of poisoning: breathing problems, loss of consciousness, painful spasms and lethargy;
- functional diarrhea. When a child poops several times a day and the stools are thin, smelly, and contain undigested food or mucus, this may be a condition called functional diarrhea. There is no specific reason other than the possible introduction of new foods or another change in diet.
If you do not pay due attention to the problem, it is dangerous for the life of the child. You should see a specialist immediately if your baby is lethargic or has prolonged diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, or blood-stained stools.
However, you can reduce the symptoms of mild diarrhea at home.
Here's what you can do at home:
Dehydration is the main complication of diarrhea. To prevent it, you should offer your baby liquids, which include broth and water. If the child is breastfeeding, this should be done frequently.
2. Increasing fat intake. Studies show that children who eat mostly low-fat foods are more likely to develop diarrhea. This type of diet is good for preventing cardiovascular disease, but it is important for children to consume more fat than is recommended for adults. Babies need fat to make up 30 to 40 percent of their total daily calorie intake. Fat components they can get from whole milk, cheeses, cottage cheese, yogurt and other dairy products.
3. Minimize the consumption of fruit juices and drinks. There are children who drink a lot of fruit juices and drinks to quench their thirst. These babies are at risk of developing diarrhea. Juices and sugary drinks contain sugars that the body cannot digest in large quantities.
These sugars accumulate in the large intestine, where they cause water to accumulate, causing watery stools. In addition, fruit juices and drinks are high in calories. Therefore, if a child prefers these drinks, his stomach fills up during meals, which leads to less consumption of vegetables and fats rich in fiber.
4. Increase your fiber intake. A diet low in fiber leads to functional diarrhea in children aged 1 to 5 years. Increasing the fiber in your child's diet will help stabilize the stool and prevent it from loosening up in the form of watery stools. However, do not overdo it with fiber, as too much of them will lead to constipation.
Encourage your child to eat fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are high in fiber and will help prevent diarrhea.
5. Fenugreek seeds. Fenugreek seeds contain a large amount of a mucilaginous substance that is considered a very useful natural remedy for diarrhea in a child. Fenugreek seeds have the ability to strengthen the stool. Thus, it greatly reduces the discomfort and severity of diarrhea. Offer your child 1 teaspoon of seeds.
This remedy is not suitable if the child has acute infectious diarrhea.
6. Apple cider vinegar. It has antibacterial properties that will help in the treatment of diarrhea caused by bacteria. The pectin content of this product is helpful in relieving cramps. Dilute 2 to 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and offer your child up to two times a day.
7. Blueberries. The anthocyanoside in blueberries has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It also comes with a lot of soluble fiber, which is helpful in relieving the symptoms of diarrhea.
8. Potatoes. Boiled potatoes are useful for restoring lost nutrients. It also provides comfort for indigestion.
9. White rice This is another great food option that helps relieve diarrhea in children ages 3 and under. The starch content is very high in white rice, so it is very easy to digest. Plain cooked white rice can also be used, but spices or sauces should be avoided.
Remember, if a child under 3 has diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, pain, nausea, and vomiting, then they have an infection that requires medical attention. Therefore, consult your pediatrician to avoid complications.
If dietary changes and home remedies don't work, your pediatrician will recommend more serious medications and treatments.
Antibiotics
This usually takes four to five days. The doctor and the instructions for the drugs will tell you how to correctly calculate the dosage for children from a year old.
Electrolyte solutions
As mentioned earlier, if the child has diarrhea, soldering is essential. The doctor will tell you how to replenish the lost fluids and salts. You can purchase these products in the form of a ready-made solution or weighed salts for the preparation of oral rehydration fluid at your local pharmacy.
When a child vomits and is unable to drink anything, the doctor will prescribe intravenous therapeutic solutions.
Enterosorbents
These substances, when they enter the digestive tract, absorb and deactivate poisonous and toxic elements, which are then excreted naturally. Medications such as Polysorb are sometimes recommended by doctors, but this diarrhea medicine should only be given if approved by a doctor.
If the child's diarrhea is caused by another disease or condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease, then treatment of the underlying ailment will be a priority.
Diarrhea is a symptom of the underlying disease and will decrease as the condition is treated.
Probiotics
The pediatrician will recommend giving your child probiotics. These are beneficial microorganisms that live in the gastrointestinal tract. Studies have shown that probiotics shorten the duration of diarrhea and have no side effects. Yoghurts and children's Bifidin are an excellent choice in the treatment of diarrhea in a child.
Do not give your child any antidiarrheal medicines unless advised by a doctor. These funds may not be safe for the baby.
Diarrhea goes away with time and usually doesn't require special treatment unless it's due to an infection.
Diet for diarrhea
Instead of feeding your baby three large meals a day, divide the meal into six to eight small meals throughout the day.
What can a child with diarrhea eat?
The following foods should be included in the diet:
- bananas;
- White rice;
- toasts;
- baked fish, chicken, beef or turkey;
- pasta;
- corn flakes and oats;
- vegetables such as carrots, mushrooms, asparagus, peeled zucchini, beets, green beans and squash;
- baked potato;
- boiled eggs;
- pancakes and waffles made from refined white flour.
Have your child eat dairy products such as yogurt and cheese. However, from time to time they can make diarrhea worse. If this happens, do not give these products for several days.
Just knowing what to feed your baby when they have diarrhea is not enough. You should also be aware of the foods to be excluded.
Some foods make the symptoms of diarrhea worse, and they should be avoided:
- fried and fatty foods;
- processed meat products such as sausages and sausages;
- donuts;
- cakes;
- Apple juice;
- carbonated drinks with caffeine;
- vegetables and fruits that lead to flatulence and gas (broccoli, peppers, peas, beans, prunes, corn and green leafy vegetables);
- concentrated fruit juices.
If you see blood, mucus in your baby's stool, shiny, greasy stools, or very bad smells, it indicates a serious problem, such as cystic fibrosis or worms. In general, when you notice that your baby's bowel movements are abnormal for several days, see your doctor.
List of signs and symptoms that are alarming and require immediate medical attention
- Bloody diarrhea.
- The child refuses to eat and drink.
- Persistent diarrhea.
- Frequent vomiting.
- Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, tiredness, dizziness, infrequent urination - less than every six hours, bloody stools, temperature of 38 ˚Ϲ or higher).
- Abdominal pain that occurs frequently or is very severe.
- Behavioral changes, including loss of consciousness or decreased sensation.
Whenever you are concerned and feel the need to see a doctor or call for emergency help, that is your choice as a parent. Trust your instincts, they will tell you what to do. You can never be too careless.
If your baby is really sick, take extra care of him so that the child feels that everything is fine. For babies, when they vomit or have diarrhea, this is a scary moment, because children do not know what is happening to them.
Diarrhea (diarrhea) is an accelerated (more than 2 times a day) excretion of liquid stools, which is associated with an accelerated passage of intestinal contents due to increased peristalsis or with impaired absorption of water in the large intestine and the release of a significant amount of inflammatory secretion by the intestinal wall.
In most cases, diarrhea is a sign of acute or chronic colitis (a disease of the large intestine) or enteritis (a disease of the small intestine).
Distinguish diarrhea infectious, alimentary, dyspeptic, toxic, drug and neurogenic.
Infectious diarrhea observed in dysentery, salmonellosis, food poisoning, viral diseases (viral diarrhea), amoebiosis, etc.
Currently quite common viral diarrhea. In children, the leading cause of acute infectious diarrhea is rotavirus. Most often, rotavirus diarrhea occurs in children under 2 years of age in the form of sporadic cases; epidemics of rotavirus infection are possible, usually in winter. In adults, rotavirus is rarely the causative agent of gastroenteritis, and the process caused by it is erased.
Incubation (latent) period for rotavirus infection lasts from one to several days. The onset of viral gastroenteritis is acute - with vomiting, severe in children; then diarrhea appears, as well as general symptoms of infection: headache and muscle pain, fever, but these phenomena are usually moderately pronounced. Abdominal pain is not characteristic of viral gastroenteritis. The diarrhea is watery, the fluid lost with diarrhea contains little protein, but a lot of salts. Viral diarrhea in adults lasts 1-3 days, in children - twice as much. Severe dehydration (dehydration) can threaten the life of the patient, and therefore therapy is reduced mainly to replacing the lost fluid - a drink containing glucose and salts is prescribed (glucose stimulates sodium absorption). The liquid is administered at the rate of 1.5 liters per 1 liter of stool, but the main control is the visible filling of the vessels of the skin and mucous membranes.
Antibiotic therapy for watery diarrhea does not affect the duration of the disease.
Alimentary diarrhea may occur as a result of a prolonged violation of the diet, a monotonous, vitamin-poor diet, or an allergy to certain foods (strawberries, eggs, crabs, etc.) or medicines (iodine, bromine preparations, some sulfonamides, antibiotics, etc.). P.).
Dyspeptic diarrhea observed in violation of the digestion of food masses due to secretory insufficiency of the stomach, pancreas, liver or insufficient secretion of certain enzymes by the small intestine.
Toxic diarrhea may result from kidney failure (uremia), mercury or arsenic poisoning.
Medical diarrhea are the result of suppression by drugs (most often antibiotics) of the physiological flora of the intestine and the development of dysbacteriosis.
neurogenic diarrhea observed in violation of the nervous regulation of the motor activity of the intestine (for example, diarrhea that occurs under the influence of excitement, fear).
diarrhea symptoms
The frequency of stool with diarrhea is different, bowel movements - watery or mushy. The nature of bowel movements depends on the disease. So, with dysentery, the feces first have a dense texture, then it becomes liquid, scanty, mucus and blood appear in it; in amebiosis, it contains vitreous mucus and blood, sometimes blood soaks the mucus and the stools take on the appearance of raspberry jelly. With diarrhea, there may be pain in the abdomen, a feeling of rumbling, transfusion, bloating. Finally, rectal colic, or so-called tenesmus, may occur. They are manifested by frequent and painful urge to the bottom with a feeling of convulsive contraction of the rectum and its sphincter, defecation does not occur, but sometimes lumps of mucus can be released.
Light and short-term diarrhea have little effect on the general condition of patients, severe and chronic lead to exhaustion, hypovitaminosis, pronounced changes in the organs.
Diagnosis of diarrhea
To determine the cause of diarrhea, a stool test is performed. The severity of diarrhea is judged by the speed of passage (advance) through the intestines of carbolene (the appearance of black feces after taking carbolen by the patient after 2-5 hours instead of the normal 20-26 hours) or barium sulfate during x-ray examination.
It is aimed at eliminating the cause that caused diarrhea. For example, in case of hypovitaminosis, appropriate vitamins are prescribed, in case of stomach achylia, gastric juice or its substitutes are prescribed, in case of pancreatic insufficiency - pancreatin or panzinorm, festal, etc.
Since fluid is lost during diarrhea, it is necessary to immediately begin to compensate for its loss. For this, salt solutions are recommended, which are prepared by dissolving one sachet of a mixture of salts in 0.5 liters of clean drinking water, previously boiled and cooled. The Finnish drug Regidron has proven itself very well, which contains sodium chloride 3.5 g, sodium citrate 2.9 g, potassium chloride 2.5 g, glucose 10 g. Glucosan is also used (sodium chloride 3.5 g, sodium bicarbonate 2.5 g, potassium chloride 1.5 g, glucose 20 g) and Citroglucosan (sodium chloride 1.5 g, potassium chloride 1.25 g, sodium citrate 2-water - 1.45 g, glucose 7.5 g). Every 12-24 hours, a fresh solution of salts should be made; the prepared solution should not be boiled.
With diarrhea not associated with infection, a sparing diet is indicated (frequent fractional meals, restriction of carbohydrates, refractory fats of animal origin), while careful chewing of food is recommended.
Calcium carbonate, bismuth preparations, tanalbin are used as symptomatic agents.
With diarrhea, the following collections of medicinal plants have an anti-inflammatory, astringent and antiseptic effect:
1. Blueberries (berries) - 20.0;
peppermint (leaves) - 20.0;
snake mountaineer (rhizome) - 20.0;
chamomile (flowers) - 30.0.
The infusion is taken warm 3-4 times a day, 0.5 cups 20-30 minutes before meals.
2. Potentilla erectus (rhizome) - 10.0; immortelle (flowers) - 20.0;
cumin (fruits) - 20.0; blueberry (berry) - 20.0; sage (leaves) - 30.0.
The infusion is taken 0.5 cup 2-3 times a day 15-20 minutes before meals.
3. Bird cherry (fruits) - 60.0;
blueberry (berry) - 40.0.
Take 1/4 - 1/2 cup of decoction 3-4 times a day.
4. Gray alder (seed fruit) - 70.0;
snake mountaineer (rhizome) - 30.0.
Take 1/4 - 1/2 cup of infusion 3-4 times a day.
5. Potentilla erectus (rhizome) - 20.0;
snake mountaineer (rhizome) - 80.0.
Take 1/3 - 1/2 cup of infusion 3-4 times a day.
With diarrhea caused by dysbacteriosis, prescribe drugs that normalize the intestinal microflora: colibacterin, lactobacterin, bifikol, bifidumbacterin.
If cholera, salmonellosis, food poisoning are suspected, patients are subject to immediate hospitalization in the infectious diseases department.
Folk remedies for diarrhea
1. Dried films of chicken stomachs. When cutting a chicken carcass, wash the stomach, separate the film from it. Rinse it in cold water and lay it to dry on a clean sheet of paper (it will dry the next day). With diarrhea, crush the film of the chicken stomach into powder and take 2 times a day for 1/2 - 1 teaspoon with water. Films should be stored in a box in a cool, dry place.
2. A decoction of dried pears (has a fixing effect).
3. Starch solution. Dilute 1 teaspoon of starch in 1/2 cup of cold boiled water. Can be cooked in the form of jelly, slightly sweetened. Take a glass 2-3 times a day.
4. Tincture of partitions of walnuts. Chop 300 g of walnuts and take out the partitions that separate the parts of the kernel. Pour them with 250 ml of 70-degree alcohol and leave for 3 days. Adults take 6-10 drops, diluted with boiled water, 3 times a day; children are not recommended.
5. Infusion of dry pomegranate peel. Pour 1 teaspoon of dry pomegranate peel into 1 cup of water. Boil for 10-15 minutes, insist, wrapped, 2 hours, strain.
Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day before meals, small children - 1 teaspoon.
6. Rice porridge, boiled in water, hard-boiled without salt (recommended for both adults and children).
7. Rice water (recommended for diarrhea in children). Pour 1 tea cup of washed rice with 6-7 cups of water, put on low heat and boil.
Cool the resulting broth, strain and give the child 1/3 cup every 2 hours.
Diet for diarrhea and indigestion
- bread in the form of crackers from 200 g of wheat bread from premium flour; other bakery products are excluded;
- soups on fat-free low meat, fish broth with the addition of mucous decoctions of cereals (barley, semolina, rice), boiled and pureed meat, steamed dumplings, meatballs, egg flakes;
- meat and poultry - lean and lean beef, veal, turkey in the form of water-boiled cutlets, dumplings, meatballs; boiled meat soufflé;
- fish - low-fat varieties of fresh fish, boiled in water or steam, in the form of meatballs, cutlets or a piece;
- dairy products - freshly prepared calcined cottage cheese or unleavened mashed cottage cheese, whole milk and other dairy products are excluded;
- eggs - 1-2 soft-boiled or in the form of a steam omelette;
- cereals - pureed cereals on the water (rice, oatmeal, buckwheat);
- vegetables - only in the form of decoctions added to soups;
- snacks are excluded;
- drinks - tea, especially green, black coffee and cocoa on the water; diluted fruit juices from berries and fruits, except grapes, plums, apricots.
Diarrhea in a child is a serious symptom that should not be ignored. There are many remedies that help with indigestion in children of different ages. When choosing them, it is necessary to take into account the cause of the ailment, and also not to forget about possible contraindications and side effects.
When to Use Diarrhea Remedies
Diarrhea is a defensive reaction that aims to cleanse the body. It can be one-time, when it is not worth resorting to the use of medicines, you can cope with the help of a diet and drinking plenty of water. And there are times when medical assistance is urgently needed.
Diarrhea in a child is not only discomfort, but also a serious cause of dehydration
You need to see a doctor and take medication if:
- the urge to go to the toilet becomes frequent. Maximum number of bowel movements:
- for newborns - 10 times a day;
- from 1–4 months - 7 times;
- from 5–12 months - 6 times;
- from 1–3 years -5 times;
- from 4 years old - 4 times;
- feces have a fetid odor;
- diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting and nausea;
- there is pain in the abdomen;
- body temperature rises;
- stool changes its color to greenish, white, raspberry;
- feces are frothy or have streaks of mucus and blood;
- poisoning is suspected.
In case of poisoning, before the doctor arrives, you need to give the child a sorbent. Its amount depends on the body weight of the baby.
To get rid of diarrhea, it is necessary to accurately determine the cause of this symptom in a child. The choice of means for treatment will depend on this.
Diarrhea, diarrhea in a child - video
Causes of diarrhea in children
The main causes of diarrhea in children are:
- eating disorders;
- penetration into the body of infection;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- poisoning;
- new foods in the diet (especially in children under one year old);
- dysbacteriosis;
- food intolerance;
- binge eating.
Loose stools in a child under one year old, who eats only breast milk or formula, is considered the norm.
Depending on the cause of diarrhea, there are:
- infectious - in case of poisoning and infectious diseases;
- alimentary - arising from monotony in nutrition and lack of vitamins;
- dyspeptic - with violations in the digestion of food, insufficient secretion of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract;
- toxic - with renal failure;
- neurogenic - with stress, overstrain, especially often appear in school-age children.
It happens that diarrhea in children occurs when the climate changes, from nervous strain, as a reaction to teething.
The effect of drugs for diarrhea in children
Means that will help a child with diarrhea can be divided into the following groups:
- sorbents;
- probiotics;
- prebiotics;
- enzymes;
- funds that restore water balance;
- antibiotics;
- antiviral drugs;
- drugs that relieve concomitant symptoms: bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting;
- homeopathic remedies.
Sorbents
These are products that, when ingested, cleanse it of toxins and poisons. Sorbents are indispensable for diarrhea that occurs as a result of poisoning or an infectious disease. Also used to cleanse the body of allergens. Sorbents include: Activated carbon, Polysorb, etc.
Probiotics
Drugs that direct their action to normalize the ratio of harmful and beneficial microorganisms in the intestine. They are used for intestinal disorders caused by infection, dysbacteriosis, increased gas formation. These include: Acipol, Bifidumbacterin, etc.
Prebiotics
Means that suppress the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria and activate the growth of beneficial microorganisms. They are used for diarrhea caused by poisoning and dysbacteriosis. This group of drugs includes Hilak Forte, Primadophilus, etc.
Enzymes
Substances that help digest food when the organs of the gastrointestinal tract cannot cope with this function. They can be used for diarrhea caused by overeating, intolerance to any product, diseases of the pancreas, liver, gallbladder. These include: Creon, Pancreatin, Pepsin, etc.
Enzymes needed for diarrhea caused by overeating
Means that restore water balance
With prolonged diarrhea, the child may experience signs of dehydration:
- drowsiness;
- weakness;
- dryness and peeling of the skin;
- retraction of the fontanel (in children under one year old);
- decrease in the amount of urine, its dark color.
Dehydration is especially dangerous for children, since water is involved in all body processes. Its deficiency can cause kidney failure and brain damage.
To prevent dehydration in the event of diarrhea, it is necessary to use products that restore water balance. These include: Regidron, Glucosolan, etc.
Antibiotics
They are prescribed for diarrhea, which is caused by harmful bacteria. It is impossible to give a child antibiotics without the recommendation of a doctor. In particular Levomycetin, which can harm the health of the baby. In intestinal infections, more often prescribed: Gentamicin, Amoxicillin, Ftalazol, Tetracycline, Furazolidone.
Antivirals
Antiviral drugs based on interferon will help get rid of diarrhea caused by rotavirus infection. Such a tool is Viferon.
Medications that relieve associated symptoms
Such drugs are aimed at getting rid of:
- for abdominal pain: No-Shpa;
- for nausea and vomiting: Motilium;
- for heartburn: Phosphalugel.
Motilium relieves nausea and vomiting
homeopathic remedies
Good efficacy in diarrhea in children is shown by homeopathic remedies. They operate on the principle that it is necessary to treat a disease with something that can cause it. The dosage of such drugs must be discussed with the doctor. Homeopathic remedies that will help a child with diarrhea include: Aloe, Alice 3x, Hamomilla, etc.
Potassium permanganate for diarrhea
A solution of potassium permanganate acts as an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. Therefore, it will be effective for diarrhea that is associated with food poisoning. However, it should be remembered that an incorrectly made solution can burn the gastric mucosa. To use potassium permanganate orally and rectally, it should be a pale pink color.
Video: intestinal infections - School of Dr. Komarovsky
Forms of release of funds from diarrhea and rules for use
Remedies that help with diarrhea in a child can be in the form of:
- tablets;
- capsules;
- granules;
- powder;
- suspensions;
- solutions;
- gels;
- drops.
For children under 3 years old, it is better to take drops or powders. Older children can swallow tablets and capsules.
Ineffective for diarrhea will be preparations in the form of rectal suppositories, as they may not have time to fully act and come out.
All drugs should be taken strictly as prescribed by the doctor, drinking plenty of water.
When Not to Use Diarrhea Remedies
Medicines for diarrhea should be given with caution to the child. There are such contraindications for use:
- the presence of an allergic reaction to any component;
- exacerbation of peptic ulcer;
- internal bleeding;
- kidney failure;
- enzymes are forbidden to be taken in acute pancreatitis.
Side effects that may occur when taking the funds:
- constipation;
- when taking antibiotics - dysbacteriosis;
- nausea.
Table: a list of drugs that are prescribed for children with diarrhea
| Name | Release form | Active ingredient | Indications | Contraindications | From what age does it apply | Price |
| Aloe | granules | various types of Aloe | for any type of diarrhea | from 1 year | 125 r. | |
| Alice | drops |
| used for indigestion associated with an allergic reaction | allergic reaction to ingredients | from 5 years old | 230 r. |
| Activated carbon | tablets | Activated carbon |
| since birth | 5 p. | |
| Amoxicillin | tablets | amoxicillin |
|
| from 1 year | 37 p. |
| Acipol | capsules | live acidophilus lactobacilli |
| allergic reaction to ingredients | from 3 months | 325 r. |
| Bifidumbacterin | powder | Bifidobacterium bifidum |
| since birth | 231 r. | |
| Viferon | capsules | interferon | acute respiratory viral infections | 259 r. | ||
| capsules | pancreatin | inflammatory and dystrophic diseases of the stomach, intestines, accompanied by disorders of digestion | acute pancreatitis | from 6 months | 295 r. | |
| Lactofiltrum | tablets | lignin hydrolysis | disorders of the intestinal microflora |
| from 1 year | 273 r. |
| Linex | capsules | lebenin | treatment and prevention of dysbacteriosis | allergic reaction to ingredients | since birth | 269 r. |
| tablets | domperidone |
|
| from 1 year | 582 r. | |
| Normobact | powder | Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 + Bifidobacterium BB-12Y |
| allergic reaction | from 6 months | 415 r. |
| Pancreatin for children | tablets | pancreatin |
| acute pancreatitis | from 3 years old | 20 p. |
| Pepsin | powder | pepsin |
|
| from 1 year | 180 r. |
| Polysorb | powder | silicon dioxide colloidal |
|
| contraindicated in body weight less than 35 kg | 124 r. |
| Primadophilus | capsules powder | lactobacilli |
| allergic reaction | from 6 months | 560 r. |
| Regidron | powder |
| restoration of water and electrolyte balance |
| weight not less than 5 kg | 402 r. |
| Smecta | powder | smectite dioctahedral |
| intestinal obstruction | from 6 months | 152 r. |
| Tetracycline | tablets | tetracycline | infectious and inflammatory diseases | kidney failure | from 8 years old | 97 r. |
| Phosphalugel | gel | aluminum phosphate gel 20% |
| kidney dysfunction | from 3 months | 186 p. |
| Ftalazol | tablets | ftalazol |
|
| from 3 years old | 27 p. |
| Furazolidone | tablets | furazolidone |
| kidney failure | from 3 years old | 61 p. |
| Hamomilla | capsules | hamomilla recutita | fights diarrhea that occurs in a child at the time of the appearance of teeth | allergic reaction to ingredients | from 4 months | 280 r. |
| Hilak forte | drops | germ-free aqueous substrate of metabolic products of Lactobacillus |
| allergic reaction to ingredients | since birth | 259 r. |
| Enterogermina | suspension | beneficial spores of Bacillus clausii | disorders of the intestinal microflora | allergic reaction to ingredients | from 6 months | 424 r. |
| Enterosgel | paste | polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate |
| intestinal atony | from 1 year | 377 r. |
| Enterofuril | capsules | nifuroxazide | diarrhea of bacterial origin | fructose intolerance | from 3 years old | 288 r. |
Folk remedies for diarrhea in children
Before giving your child traditional medicine for diarrhea, you need to consult a doctor.
- Rice broth. Rice decoction will help children of any age, even babies, from diarrhea. To prepare it, you need 1 tablespoon of rice and half a liter of water. Boil on fire for 45 minutes. After that, strain the broth, cool. Give your child 2 tablespoons every 2 hours. Babies - on the throat.
- Decoction of oak bark. Give to children from diarrhea from 1 year. To prepare, take 1 teaspoon of bark and boil in a glass of water for 10 minutes. Filter, cool, give children a tablespoon every 2 hours.
- Walnut leaf tea. Can be used from 3 years for diarrhea. To do this, take one sheet, wash it and pour boiling water over it. Insist 10 minutes. Drink without adding sugar. You need to drink 3 cups per day.
- Cherry decoction. It will help with diarrhea in children from 12 years old. A glass of boiling water pour 5 g of bird cherry berries. Boil 30 minutes. You need to drink 100 ml 3 times a day.
Folk remedies - photo gallery
A decoction of bird cherry will help children from diarrhea from 12 years old Tea from walnut leaves can be taken by children from 3 years old 
A decoction of oak bark will help with diarrhea Rice broth will help with diarrhea in a child of any age
What to give a child for diarrhea - this question worries many parents. This condition poses a serious danger to the lives of young children, so parents should know what to do in such a situation.
Diarrhea happens to everyone from time to time. This problem can occur due to food intolerance, mild infection, or severe poisoning. Diarrhea (or diarrhea) is manifested by frequent loose stools up to five times a day. This problem is a serious health hazard for children, as it can cause dehydration.
In children under 10 years of age, the digestive system is almost completely formed. The frequency of the stool up to this point becomes regular no more than twice a day.
Parents are more worried if indigestion occurs in an infant:
- The number of bowel movements in children under one year old can be about five times and this is considered the norm, since the enzyme system has not yet matured, and the child feeds on breast milk. Fecal masses are mushy and yellow in color. They should not contain any impurities such as mucus or blood.
- When babies are switched from breast milk to formula, the nature of the stool changes. It becomes brownish, thick, the frequency of bowel movements is two or three times a day.
- When they begin to introduce solid foods into the diet, it is necessary to monitor the baby's stool. From it you can find out which product is suitable and which is not. If the child does not have diarrhea or constipation, then the new food does not harm digestion. A year in children, the stool becomes dense, and the number of bowel movements can be once or twice a day or every other day.
- If diarrhea occurs, the stool becomes watery, uncontrollable, may be accompanied by pain and cramps in the abdomen, fever, vomiting, loss of appetite.
With severe diarrhea, the risk of dehydration increases dramatically.
Babies under six months of age can become dehydrated very quickly, within hours of the onset of diarrhea. This happens because all the water, nutrients, and electrolytes leave the body along with feces.
The cause of diarrhea can be determined by the color and composition of feces:
- if there is foam in the child's feces, then the cause is an intestinal infection;
- green stool causes staphylococcus aureus;
- marsh-colored stool occurs with salmonellosis;
- if the feces are white, then the child may have hepatitis.
If diarrhea is accompanied by severe vomiting, fever, severe abdominal pain and blood in the stool, then only a doctor should treat the child.
How to treat diarrhea
You can start treating diarrhea in children only after finding out the cause of its occurrence. Some parents think it's wise to give their baby antibiotics, but that's not the way to do it.
If diarrhea is not due to bacteria, then the use of antibacterial drugs will cause dysbacteriosis in children and worsen their health.
Antibiotics can be given if prescribed by a doctor after bacteriological analysis of feces.
Glucose-salt solutions
The first thing parents should look out for when diarrhea occurs is to ensure that the child does not develop dehydration.
For this, glucose-salt solutions are used. You can cook it yourself or buy Regidron powder at the pharmacy. It must be diluted with water and given throughout the day.
Depending on age, children need as much liquid:
- at the age of 2-4 months 200 grams;
- from 4 to 12 months - half a liter if the child weighs 10 kg;
- from one to two years, if the baby weighs 10 or more kg 800 grams;
- from two to five years - up to 900 grams.
Also, if diarrhea occurs, dairy products, tea, juice should not be given.
Sorbents
These drugs should be taken with diarrhea. They remove toxins, microbes, pathogenic viruses from the body. You need to give them from the first hours of diarrhea.
The most effective sorbents:
- Smekta. This tool is allowed for children from zero months. For children under one year old, one sachet is enough to be given during the day; from 1 to two years old, you can give one sachet per dose 2-3 times a day.
- Activated carbon. Also allowed for children from birth. A child in a few months should divide the tablet into the required number of parts, crush, stir with a small amount of water and give to drink from a spoon.
- Filtrum. More effective than activated charcoal. You can drink it from zero months. From one to three years, you can give half a tablet in several doses.
- Enterosgel. Allowed for children from one or two months. It is more convenient to give the remedy in the form of a paste. It is easier for a child to drink it.
Sorbents will help stop diarrhea. They are given regardless of how many months or years the child is. Such drugs are also used to treat diarrhea in adults.
Probiotics and prebiotics
In combination with other drugs, diarrhea should be treated with probiotics and prebiotics. They are necessary for the normalization of the intestinal microflora.
More often drink is prescribed such means:
- Bifiform baby. It can be given only if the baby is from one year old. You need to drink it once a day for 10 days. For children, it is made with raspberry or orange flavor.
- Bifidumbacterin. Produced in powder form. You can store it in a warm room for no longer than 10 days. It is given to babies from birth for diarrhea, constipation and other intestinal disorders. You need to drink it within 7-10 days. If a child older than a year has severe diarrhea, then it should be taken for 10-14 days.
Prebiotics:
- Khilak forte. It contains bifido- and lactobacilli. Regulates the balance and composition of the intestinal microflora. The drug is prescribed from birth. You need to drink it for at least 10 days. Drink before or after meals.
- Eubicor. Helps stop diarrhea in children from birth. A child under one and a half years old should be given a quarter of a sachet three times a day. It rarely causes allergies and side effects.
There are also syrups for diarrhea. But only a doctor should prescribe them. The syrup is easier to give to a child under one year old, it does not affect the walls of the stomach. Such drugs also do not adversely affect the intestinal microflora. Any diarrhea syrup has such properties.
The active substances in their composition quickly reach the intestines without entering the bloodstream. Therefore, it is better to use syrup for diarrhea. But it is important to remember that the doctor prescribes the medicine only after finding out the reasons.
Diarrhea with fever
Diarrhea with fever in a child up to a year and older occurs as a result of ingestion of:
- staphylococcus;
- salmonella;
- streptococcus;
- coli.
The consequences for the body depend on how quickly the treatment was started.
If diarrhea occurs, the temperature rises, only a doctor should treat the problem, as serious diseases can develop. Before the doctor arrives, the child must be given sorbents to remove the infection from the body. If the temperature is very high, then you need to give the baby antipyretic drugs in the form of a candle or syrup.
Only a doctor can completely stop the rise in temperature and diarrhea. He will conduct the necessary diagnostics, prescribe medications. It is necessary to follow the doctor's instructions. Self-medication can have serious consequences for the body.
Intestinal infections that cause fever can be stopped by:
- enterosorbents;
- rehydration agents;
- probiotics.
If the baby is breastfed, then you should not refuse it, since mother's milk has a beneficial effect on the condition of the intestines. If he is fed mixtures, then it is better to switch to those based on soy.
If the child has diarrhea and fever, the doctor should be called urgently.
Such symptoms have infectious and non-infectious diseases. In this case, treatment may be completely different.
Folk remedies and prevention of diarrhea
This tool also envelops the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, thereby protecting against the influence of harmful substances.
Children under one year old should be given one hundred grams of decoction. For older babies, a quarter cup once every few hours is a suitable dosage. This treatment should continue for two days. After the cessation of diarrhea, the medicine is canceled. It happens that the baby does not want to drink the remedy. To improve the taste, milk can not be added. In this situation, you must try to give at least 50 grams of funds in a spoon.
Rice water has been used for many years. Even doctors recommend it. But before treating a child, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician.
To prevent an upset stomach, in order to stop infection from entering the child's body, you must follow these rules:
- the dishes with which the baby eats should be dry. Bacteria multiply in moisture, so the bottle must not only be boiled, but also dried;
- food from one dish to another is better not to pour;
- introduce new products gradually and under the supervision of a pediatrician.
