Diarrhea in Children: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Diarrhea in Children: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

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Diarrhea and vomiting in children are often owing to gastroenteritis that normally known as stomach flu, a very transmittable viral infection of the gastrointestinal tract . Other causes can include food poisoning, insect bite cream and reactions to food or beverages (for example, lactose intolerance). Several children may develop gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, soft stools, and swelling by reason of emotional stress, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Younger children usually have what is sometimes known as child diarrhea: watery stools in which pieces of food can be seen. This is because food is not digested accurately, and this often disappears as the child grows. Also, vomiting without diarrhea is a natural symptom of several other fundamental problems that may not be related to the gastrointestinal tract. Examples would include middle ear infections and also urinary tract infections.

What You Can Do:

The major risk of persistent vomiting and diarrhea is dehydration. It is essential to ensure adequate fluid intake and careful monitoring of your child’s hydration status. Make sure your child has enough to drink. Take frequent sips of fluids if vomiting is a problem. Sweetened liquids or oral rehydration salts are better absorbed by the intestine compared to plain water.click here to read more about diarrhea medicine.

Diarrhea in Children: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Stick to soft foods like soups and porridge. If your child’s symptoms normalize, return gradually to the normal diet. If there is a fever, paracetamol can be given consistent with the prescribed doses. Your doctor or pediatrician may use medications to relieve abdominal pain and diarrhea. Be careful with the use of anti-vomiting and diarrhea tablets in children under 2 years.

You Should See Your Doctor If:

    • Your baby refuses to drink or shows signs of dehydration (such as sunken eyes, dry mouth and tongue, has not urinated for more than six hours or seems abnormally sleepy).
    • There is blood in your baby’s vomit or stool.
    • After 24 hours, your child’s symptoms do not seem to improve.
    • Your child complains of serious pain or seems to be very sick.

Spread Prevention:

Gastroenteritis is disreputably contagious and is scrupulous about hygiene to put off it from spreading within the family and the community in general. Children commonly get the infection from school when they interact with other children with gastroenteritis, read more about diarrhea prevention at https://medlineplus.gov/diarrhea.html. Follow these tips to keep safe from vomiting and diarrhea in children:

    • Wash your hands before and after handling food and using the bathroom.
    • Wash your hands carefully with water and soap before and after handling your sick child.
    • Always use separate towels for your child to put off cross infections.
    • Avoid sharing food as well as utensils.
    • Remind your child to avoid touching his eyes, nose, and mouth.
    • Especially before and after meals, make sure your child washes their hands regularly.

Summary

Most children with gastroenteritis do not need any medication. The main treatment is to make sure that your baby remains well hydrated. Your doctor can provide you several medications for stomach pain or vomiting occasionally. In general, medications used to prevent vomiting and diarrhea in adults are not used in children because of side effects.