Treatment of diarrhea in children under 3 years of age. Diarrhea in children: causes and treatment

Diarrhea is accompanied by frequent urge to go to the toilet with loose stools. The cause of diarrhea in both adults and children can be unwashed hands, or dirty vegetables, fruits, or poor quality food.

Diarrhea is a fairly common symptom of many types of diseases. And its appearance may be associated with the most common disorder, with infections or viruses.

Therefore, before you begin to treat this disease at home, you need to determine the cause and seek help from a doctor.

Quite often, acute diarrhea in children is underestimated for its danger in adults.

It seems that diarrhea is a short-term phenomenon and can be easily dealt with.

And if the symptoms of the disease quickly disappear on their own or thanks to treatment, parents do not seek advice from a specialist.

Loose stools in a child

A small child, unlike an adult, is just beginning to develop the immune system, and many processes in the child’s body are far from perfect.

In a child, the healing process takes much longer than in an adult. Sometimes diarrhea can become severe and requires immediate treatment to treat it.

Since in a child, dehydration goes away much faster, and the loss of liquid leads to disturbances in metabolic processes.

As a consequence, this entails changes associated with the activity of organs in the child’s body. The gastrointestinal tract and nervous system are the first to suffer.

What should you look out for in the symptoms of diarrhea?

The fact that a child’s diarrhea is associated with an infectious disease is indicated by:

1. Attack of nausea and vomiting.
2. The stools are liquid with blood.
3. Strong headache.
4. Fever.

Diarrhea may go unnoticed or come on suddenly.

Diarrhea in a small child aged one to two years must be stopped as quickly as possible, since due to dehydration of the child’s body, deterioration occurs in the functioning of internal organs.

This phenomenon can lead to death for a child.

If green diarrhea is observed in children one or two years old, this may indicate problems related to nutrition. Most often, this stool occurs in children who are bottle-fed.

Pull yourself together and don’t panic, carefully monitor the child’s condition and well-being. And if you notice that it has gotten worse, immediately call a pediatrician at home.

If a child has diarrhea mixed with blood, do not waste time, urgently call an ambulance, do not self-medicate or use traditional medicine! In this situation, only specialist treatment will help!

In order to find out why the disorder occurred, they are required to undergo blood tests. Diarrhea in a child can occur for various reasons:

1. If the diet has been changed. Sometimes the cause of loose stools can be a change in baby formula. Also, changes in diet can lead to gastrointestinal disorders. Diarrhea in a baby can be caused by overeating, or if the baby was fed a product that is not appropriate for his age. It may be too fatty food. Considering that the child is still too small, he does not produce enough enzymes, and their deficiency occurs. Food that is not completely digested sinks to the lower part of the intestine and begins to ferment here. This irritates the intestinal wall and causes an attack of diarrhea.
2. Diarrhea in children can be due to an infectious or bacterial intestinal infection. Or perhaps the baby is infected with worms. A bout of diarrhea can be caused by bacteria and their toxins. When the immune system is weakened, the intestines may be damaged by a fungus. Infection occurs from untreated, low-quality water, from eating low-quality food (toxicoinfection), expired or spoiled dairy products. And finally, from a basic violation of the rules of personal hygiene. The baby’s immunity to the infection in the intestines is still weak, so you need to protect him from re-infection.
3. Diarrhea is sometimes a symptom of a serious illness. The causes of diarrhea in children can be inflammation of the wall in the digestive tract, diverticulosis, or intussusception in the intestines. Diarrhea can be caused by an excess of thyroid hormones (hyperticulosis).
4. Diarrhea can occur due to disorders associated with the digestion of food:

• with cystic fibrosis;
• with lactase deficiency;
• for celiac disease;
• with a diagnosis associated with Hartnup's disease.

Diarrhea sometimes occurs from food allergies or when there is an imbalance in the intestinal flora (if antibiotics have been prescribed).

In older children (preschool and school age), diarrhea may occur due to irritable bowel disease or if the child is scared or nervous.

It should be noted that the appearance of loose stool in a baby is not always an attack of diarrhea. If the baby is breastfeeding, their stool may be loose or mushy.

The baby usually recovers ten to twelve times a day. And only over time does his bowel routine become established. The manifestation of diarrhea is expressed in frequent and irritable bowel movements.

Diarrhea has watery and profuse discharge, gas formation is increased, peristalsis is increased, discomfort is felt in the abdomen, diarrhea occurs more than three times a day (this is in children who receive solid food).

With this diagnosis, the appearance of bloody, mucous or purulent discharge may occur, and the color of the stool may also change. All these symptoms may include manifestations of dehydration or intoxication.

What to do for diarrhea in children

If your baby is breastfed, be sure to continue feeding him your milk, as mother’s milk contains substances that your baby needs so much. These substances are called bifidum-fator.

They contribute to the colonization of bacteria necessary for the human body in the gastrointestinal tract, which resist pathogenic bacteria and viruses.

If the child is bottle-fed, he needs to select (on the advice of the pediatrician) mixtures with bifidobacteria (fixing effects).

Be sure to give your baby plenty of water. Pay attention to the condition of the child’s skin, and if it has a dry appearance and can be easily gathered into folds and does not immediately straighten, his eyes are sunken, he complains of dizziness and pain, dry mouth, does not pee for many hours are signs of dehydration.

Call an ambulance and start giving rehydration medications immediately.

Be sure to tell your doctor if your child has:

• does he have abdominal pain?
• swelling (especially in the lower legs or feet);
• reaction to medications;
• does he suffer from chronic diseases;
• whether there were convulsions, difficulty breathing;
• Are there any signs of dehydration?
• what the stool was like (foamy, whitish).

If diarrhea in children is not accompanied by nausea, vomiting, bloating in the abdomen, or fever, you can give them an antidiuretic drug, usually Smecta.

If your child is over five years old and you know for sure that the disorder could have occurred due to food poisoning.

Call an ambulance or your family doctor, and after consultation, use enterosobent Polysorb (this drug also helps with diarrhea in adults).

With diarrhea, a lot of fluid is lost, so it is necessary to replace the loss. What treatment can be offered to the child?

1. Regidron solution (electrolyte). This type of solution is necessary to restore or help maintain the water-salt balance in the body. This product is equally suitable for both infants and children aged three years and older. This medicine can be purchased at any pharmacy.
2. In cases where it is not possible to buy Regidron, you can independently prepare the required solution at home. Take one liter of boiled water and dilute ½ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of soda and one tablespoon of sugar. The resulting liquid must be stored for 24 hours.
3. You need to give your baby water as follows: take 50 ml of solution per kilogram of his weight. If he asks to drink more, you can give him as much as he wants, but in fractional portions. Give your child something to drink every time after each attack of diarrhea and vomiting. And if he vomits, offer to drink again.
4. To help restore the lost balance of beneficial minerals potassium, magnesium, and salts, prepare dried fruit compote. This drink will help maintain water-salt balance. A wonderful raisin compote will give the body the necessary trace elements and minerals.
5. A healthy drink made from green tea, it contains the necessary microelements and bioactive substances for the intestines to work properly.
6. Buy alkaline mineral water, release the gas and warm it up a little.

Important! If your baby refuses to drink water for several hours, and the attack of diarrhea becomes stronger, call an ambulance immediately!

Typically, children with bouts of diarrhea refuse to eat. Fasting or a gentle diet is prescribed.

If a child is one year old, then hunger is contraindicated for him, so rapid weight loss will occur; if a child is about four or five years old, he can spend a certain time without food or on a diet.

Sometimes there are attacks of diarrhea due to the fact that the child was given complex food or he tried a new type of food for the first time, since the body is not yet fully formed, the baby may experience diarrhea for a short time.

Typically, there is bloating, a feeling of discomfort and slight pain in the abdomen.

Difficult foods for children are: fatty and spicy foods, raw vegetables or fruits. Carbonated drinks, sugary drinks and milk combined with these foods can cause diarrhea.

Small children should not be fed fatty fish, pork, duck, goose, peanuts and other whole types of nuts, or raw eggs. It is strictly prohibited to eat fast food.

When diarrhea appears associated with a violation of the diet, health is restored quickly after the child switches to a suitable diet.

Treatment at home

One of the most inexpensive, accessible and safe remedies for treating loose stools can be prepared from rice.

The rice broth envelops the intestinal walls and, thanks to this, it is not irritated by gastric juice.

Thanks to this, peristalsis improves and stool begins to form correctly.

Rice water contains astringents; when it enters the body, excess fluid is absorbed and the intestinal contents thicken.

This remedy also stops fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract. The decoction provides nutrition to the body, and this is very important for diarrhea, since eating any food can aggravate the course of the disease.

This product is equally safe for both children and adults. It does not cause allergic attacks.

Treatment of diarrhea with rice decoction

Take an enamel bowl and pour a little more than half a liter of water into it; when the water boils, add a dessert spoon of rice to it. It is necessary to stir the broth for 45 minutes.

After the rice water has cooled (room temperature), it is filtered and a ready-made composition is obtained for consumption.

For children, fifty to one hundred milliliters of solution is enough every three to four hours a day.

Literally one hour after taking this remedy, the patient will feel an improvement. It is also good to eat rice porridge between meals.

When improvement occurs, the rice broth is replaced with sweetened tea with rye crackers.

Treatment of diarrhea with bird cherry

Bird cherry berries are suitable for treating diarrhea in children and adults. This is an old proven method.

The fruits of this tree contain many tannins; they are used in cases where diarrhea is not associated with infection.

Important! Bird cherry berries are not consumed in large quantities, so when they enter the body, the substance contained in it turns into hydrocyanic acid.

As you know, this is a potent poison for the body. Therefore, treatment with bird cherry berries is important strictly according to the recipe. This recipe is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women!

Prepare a decoction of bird cherry. We wash the collected berries with water and fill half a glass with them, pour them into an enamel pan, pour about two glasses of boiling water into it and keep it in a steam bath for about half an hour.

After which the finished broth is left to infuse under a closed lid. Then strain and add blueberry juice in equal proportions.

The resulting decoction is given to the child every hour, one tablespoon. If your baby is about three years old, the dose should be less than one teaspoon, but every two hours.

Treatment of diarrhea with dried blueberries

Blueberries contain many tannins and pectin. Thanks to them, treatment of diarrhea at home is carried out successfully. You can make jelly, tea, or decoction from dried berries.

1. Preparing jelly. Take one tablespoon of berries and three hundred grams of water, 1 teaspoon of starch, sugar to taste. Prepare jelly in the usual way, drink as much as the child wants to drink.
2. Blueberry decoction is great. To do this, take about 40 grams. dry berries and pour a glass of water, cook for about twenty minutes over low heat. Drink half a glass about three times a day.
3. Dry berries can be given in small portions about six times a day, be sure to chew well.

Blueberries are healthy and safe for children, so they can be given without worry.

Diarrhea is a serious disease, in order to start it correctly you need to consult a doctor. Treatment at home may not always be successful.

This article is for informational purposes only and cannot replace consultation with a doctor. The health and life of your children are in your hands!

Useful video

Treatment of diarrhea in a child is a rather important moment, since incorrectly selected therapy can lead to the development of complications. Lack of treatment can lead to death. But before prescribing to take this or that remedy, it is necessary to find out the cause of diarrhea. Based on this, you can choose one or another drug, taking into account age, weight restrictions, contraindications and price range.

Digestive problems in children are quite common. There are many reasons for this: from stress, poisoning and to viral infection. Before starting treatment, every parent should understand that the most important thing in antidiarrheal therapy is to eliminate the root cause of such a symptom. If this is not done, the child may develop cachexia (total dehydration with salt electrolyte imbalance). When giving your baby any of the remedies suggested below, you should immediately consult a doctor who can prescribe proper treatment.

Description of anti-diarrhea remedies for children: action, effectiveness

Anti-diarrhea medications primarily have a number of properties. Among them are the following actions:

• Astringent;
• Antidiarrheal;
• Antimicrobial (antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, etc.);
• Immunomodulatory;
• Normalizing intestinal microflora;
• Restores electrolyte balance.

It is necessary to understand that there is no universal remedy for the treatment of diarrhea, and each specific drug will combine different properties depending on the composition. The components in each medicine will be different depending on what function they are intended to perform. Antidiarrheal medications may contain:

• Bifidobacteria, lactobacilli;
• Herbs in different combinations (burnet, bird cherry berries, gooseberries);
• Antibiotics (for example, amoxicillin, sulfonamide drugs);
• Coal of animal/vegetable origin;
• Adsorbents (for example, silicon dioxide, polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate);
• Enzymatic;
• Electrolytes with carbohydrates;
• Astringent components (calcium carbonate, bismuth-based preparations, etc.).

All these components perform a number of tasks, including changing the microbial composition of the gastrointestinal tract in the required manner, as well as influencing the chemistry and motility of the intestine. Such remedies will be effective only if the drug is correctly selected, which will help not only relieve the child of diarrhea, but also solve a number of problems associated with this symptom.

Drug release forms (tablets, gels, syrups, suspensions, powders, solutions, suppositories, drops) and composition (active and auxiliary components should be indicated for each dosage form)

Diarrhea medications for children are available in various forms. They differ not only in composition, but also in effectiveness and duration of impact on the body. Therefore, for each age category, the choice should be made based on the child’s condition, his capabilities (for example, a violation of the swallowing reflex does not allow him to take the medicine orally), as well as the desired effect.

• Pills. They have the most prolonged effect, since they travel a long way through the gastrointestinal tract before complete dissolution. Gradual absorption allows the drug to gently and gradually cope with the symptom. The active components are different - from nifuroxazide and pectin to activated carbon. Some types of tablets also contain auxiliary components: magnesium stearate, lactose, and so on. Tablets are contraindicated for children under 3 years of age. in some cases, the manufacturer indicates that taking the tablet form is possible only from the age of seven. The same applies to capsules.
• Capsules differ from tablets in that they dissolve somewhat faster during passage through the gastrointestinal tract. In capsules, the active components can also be varied - from beneficial bacteria to chemical elements. Excipients - lactose monohydrate, potato starch, dextrin, magnesium stearate, gelatin, titanium dioxide. This form is designed so that the medicine must reach a certain point in the tract and there give out the maximum beneficial properties.
• Gels. Adsorbents are usually produced in the form of gels. In this form, they are easier for children to take, as well as mixed with some product, such as honey, or applied to bread or cookies. This form of the drug actively envelops the walls of the esophagus, stomach and intestines, limiting the pathogenic effect of microorganisms on mucous surfaces. Active substances - silicon dioxide, polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate and others. Excipients - Sorbitol, Agar-agar, Pectin, Calcium sulfate dihydrate, Potassium sorbate.
• Suspensions can be sold ready-made, but most often the parent has to mix the product themselves. This type of drug is easy to give to children under one year of age, since the products have a fairly wide variety of flavorings and sweeteners. This type of drug begins to be absorbed from the moment it enters the mouth, and therefore its effect will be noticeable quite quickly. Various types of medicines are produced in the form of suspensions - from antibiotics to homeopathy. Excipients - carbomer 934, sucrose, sodium hydroxide, simethicone, methylparaben, purified water.
• Solutions and drops. Solutions can be based on either alcohol or simply purified water. This type of medicine is quickly absorbed into mucous surfaces, showing an antidiarrheal effect in a short time. The same applies to drops, but this option is considered more powerful in action, and therefore is given in small doses. Drops are especially convenient to give to children under one year of age.
• Candles are considered the most effective. They are quickly absorbed into the body through the intestines, do not cause much harm to the body and are most effective. The suppositories are carefully inserted into the anus, where they gradually dissolve. It is recommended to use them carefully, since a strong anti-diarrhea effect can lead to constipation in a child. The composition varies, but most often it includes antibacterial and astringent components. Excipients - oils, fats of plant and animal origin, paraffin, lanolin, wax and so on.
• The powder form involves diluting the drug in water or another acceptable liquid. These can be both antibacterial substances and adsorbents. Adsorbents of this type have good absorption, absorbing and removing toxins, pathogenic microorganisms and rotting products naturally. Antimicrobial drugs of this form will be quite effective. As a rule, suspensions are prepared from them. Minor components - as in tablets: magnesium stearate, glucose, saccharin.

Sweeteners, flavorings, and lactose are often found in the compositions of a wide variety of medications for children. If you are allergic to such substances, you need to look for available analogues, but without allergens. Otherwise, symptoms may worsen. For children under 3 years of age, it is better to choose suspensions, syrups, powders for dilution (they can be added to drinks or food), as well as gels, suppositories, solutions and drops. It is undesirable to use tablets and capsules at such an early age due to the risk of asphyxia (suffocation due to a solid object entering the respiratory tract).

Important! Anti-diarrhea medications that contain loperamide are contraindicated for children under 2 years of age. These include Lopedium, Diarol, Enterobene, Imodium.

Indications for use of drugs

Anti-diarrhea medications may be prescribed by a pediatrician if the child has:

• Frequent loose stools;
• There is bloating and pain in the abdomen;
• Against the background of the symptoms described above, appetite is weakened or completely absent;
• Nausea occurs periodically, which may be accompanied by vomiting;
• Severe sweating occurs;
• There is weakness.

All these symptoms can be caused by a number of different reasons. Based on them, the doctor may prescribe one or another drug:

• If diarrhea is the result of dysbiosis, then the child is prescribed probiotics, which normalize the intestinal microflora.
• If diarrhea is caused by stress, then astringents are prescribed along with sedatives.
• If the symptom is only a consequence of ingesting an unfamiliar food or allergen, then an enzyme preparation is given.
• If your child's diarrhea is a consequence of taking another medication, then it may be worth talking to your doctor about changing treatment tactics.
• In case of poisoning, sorbents are prescribed first. They are also drunk for viral and bacterial infections, helping to remove microbes and their waste products from the body.
• For infections, antibiotics are prescribed, but along with them probiotics are often prescribed to drink, which will help maintain the intestinal microflora during treatment.

It is especially important to choose the right products based on their effects on the body, as well as take into account side effects and contraindications. Taking any drug without first studying the instructions is strictly prohibited.

Possible side effects, contraindications

Any medicinal, homeopathic drug or folk recipe has its own side effects and contraindications. The most common warning in each instruction is hypersensitivity to any of the components of the product. Also, some drugs may have the following contraindications:

There can be a lot of restrictions on taking the drug. It is also worth considering that not every antidiarrheal medicine can be combined with the main course of therapy. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the compatibility of drugs. Side effects are generally not very different from each other. Sorbents can cause attacks of nausea and vomiting. Antibiotics also have a spectrum of side effects that can include nausea and vomiting, as well as pain in the abdominal area, a burning sensation in the stomach. Bloody diarrhea is possible. Most antidiarrheal medications can cause constipation.

How to take it correctly

Antidiarrheal medications should always be taken according to the regimen prescribed by your doctor. If he did not specify the accuracy of use, then, as a rule, the instructions always contain a description of the sequence of use of such drugs. There are a number of rules by which the reception should be carried out:

1. It is best to take probiotics an hour after antibiotics.
2. If sorbents are prescribed, they are taken only an hour after taking the drugs from the main course of treatment.
3. Antidiarrheal medications are taken approximately 30–40 minutes before the start of a meal.
4. Antidiarrheal drugs are taken for a short period of time. If after a few days the stool remains frequent and loose, you should consult a doctor to change the medication.
5. If the medicine requires dilution, then this must be done by exactly one dose. The drug should not remain in this form for a long time, as it quickly loses its properties.
6. Some medications may be mixed with other products, such as baby food or water, unless otherwise restricted by the instructions.
7. Following a light diet can greatly help a child get rid of diarrhea. Products such as homemade crackers, dried in the oven, and jelly will help restore the body and nourish the baby during treatment.
8. Careful hygiene should be observed, especially if diarrhea is caused by infection. You should wash and change your underwear twice a day.

By following these rules, you can cope with diarrhea quickly enough. But if you have prolonged diarrhea, or if streaks of blood appear in your stool, or if you develop a fever, be sure to consult a doctor.

Important! With frequent diarrhea, it is necessary to restore the electrolyte balance in the body, and therefore it is necessary to give the child special solutions with glucose and sodium chloride, that is, water with sugar and salt.

What can you give your child for diarrhea? List of children's medications

Sorbents that are capable of removing toxins, viruses, bacteria from the child’s body and providing an antidiarrheal effect.

Antidiarrheal drugs with normalization of electrolyte balance

Antibiotics for diarrhea are used in cases where it is proven that the child has an infectious disease.

Probiotics are used most often for irritable bowel syndrome caused by dysbiosis, and also together with antibiotics to support the natural beneficial microflora of the gastrointestinal tract.

Other drugs used in various cases can solve a number of problems only if the cause of diarrhea in a child is a violation of the production of an enzyme component. Such products are called enzymatic and they most often contain animal pancreatin. Also in such cases, homeopathy can help, which offers natural dietary supplements with fairly high effectiveness and natural composition.

Homeopathic medicines are considered somewhat weaker in their effects on the body, but they are not as harmful to children as chemicals. They use natural ingredients of plant and animal origin, as well as vitamins and minerals. These include most dietary supplements.

It is worth noting that quite often it is the use of certain drugs that leads to diarrhea in a child. An example would be the use of Viferon in the form of rectal suppositories (for ARVI, inflammatory diseases, etc.). They can irritate the intestines. A similar example would be the antiemetic drug Motilium, which accelerates the passage of food through the gastrointestinal tract and can cause diarrhea. An enzyme-type medicine such as Pepsin also causes diarrhea in children. Therefore, before giving your child any medicine, carefully review the medications he may be currently taking.

Folk remedies

If a child has diarrhea, you can also use folk remedies. These are either decoctions or solutions. It is worth considering that even medicinal herbs have their own dosages and side effects with contraindications. Therefore, it is necessary to take this type of therapy seriously. Traditional medicine for diarrhea offers the following remedies:

1. Potassium permanganate involves the preliminary dissolution of manganese in boiled water. A couple of crystals are enough for this. Considering that it will be used on a child’s body, the liquid should turn out pale pink. It needs to be pleasant to the body. Do enemas with this remedy once a day. This recipe can only be used if the child is one year old.
2. Burnet rhizomes in the amount of 2 tbsp. put in water (one glass). Heat for no more than 30 minutes, then leave for 90 minutes. Reception - 1 tsp. half an hour before meals. Infants - 15 drops.
3. Blueberries are placed in an enamel container in the amount of 1 tbsp, filled with water in the amount of 2 glasses of water and evaporated over low heat to exactly half. Give a couple of tablespoons before meals to children from 1 year of age. You can also cook blueberry jelly.
4. Bird cherry fruits in the amount of a quarter cup are placed in an enamel bowl, after which they are filled with five glasses of water. Heat this mixture over low heat for 20 minutes. Once cooking is complete, strain and let cool. To enhance the effect, you can add blueberry juice to the broth. Give this mixture every hour all day.

When using folk remedies, remember that they cannot always cope with pathological conditions. Therefore, in case of severe diarrhea, it is necessary to call a doctor at home and undergo full treatment.

Diarrhea (or diarrhea) is an intestinal disorder in which there is loose bowel movement more than twice a day. It occurs due to the acceleration of intestinal function and the passage of its contents. Most parents have encountered this problem and, as a rule, do not know how to treat diarrhea in a child - take appropriate measures, including drug therapy and the use of folk remedies, or wait until the problem resolves itself and the diarrhea soon passes. You need to have enough information about this intestinal disorder in order to cure diarrhea in time and prevent the development of serious complications.

There are quite a lot of factors that can cause diarrhea in a child, starting with an allergic reaction of the body or a disease of internal organs, and ending with various infections. Let's look at the most common causes of diarrhea in children:

Diarrhea can also be caused by other reasons, for example, eating unwashed or expired foods. All these factors negatively affect not only the intestines, but also the entire gastrointestinal tract (GIT) as a whole.

Characteristic symptoms

Most parents immediately panic at the sight of loose stool in their child. But it does not always indicate diarrhea, since when breastfeeding, frequent liquid or mushy stools are normal for the baby. With age, bowel movements become normal. Diarrhea in children and adults is accompanied by thinning and frequent stools.

In addition to loosening the stool, the patient may experience additional symptoms. These include:

• increased gas formation;
• feeling of discomfort in the abdomen;
• change in stool color, appearance of blood, pus or mucus in the stool;
• bouts of vomiting;
• symptoms of dehydration and intoxication of the body.

On a note! The danger of prolonged diarrhea in children is that it leads to dehydration, which can lead to serious complications. Doctors say that even a loss of 10% of fluid in the body is deadly for the baby.

What is the danger of this condition?

Regardless of the cause of diarrhea, this pathological condition leads to an increase in the size of the intestines due to water entering the lumen of the child’s intestine through the intestinal walls. In its turn, the movement of intestinal contents accelerates, and the frequency of stool increases. Delayed treatment or its complete absence can lead to serious complications - dehydration and impaired absorption of nutrients.

When the body becomes dehydrated, the child’s condition worsens greatly, all processes in the body slow down, and the temperature rises. Dehydration may worsen as stools become more intense and large. If diarrhea torments a child quite often, then useful substances leave the body along with feces, and the intestines can no longer function normally and vitamins that enter the body with food are not absorbed.

Diagnostic features

If diarrhea continues for several days without stopping, then the child should be seen immediately by a doctor. Perhaps the cause of this condition was some disease. During the diagnostic examination, the doctor may prescribe the following procedures:

Only after a diagnosis of diarrhea is made, the child is prescribed an appropriate course of therapy.

Treatment options

The basis of any type of treatment is to eliminate the causative factor that provoked the development of intestinal disorder. Therapy consists of taking medications, following a special diet and using traditional medicine. Let's consider each of the methods separately.

Nutrition

In case of diarrhea, it is necessary not only to exclude all harmful foods from the baby’s diet. It is also necessary to normalize your diet. Parents should ensure that the child chews food thoroughly and eats in small portions (often, but in small portions). These measures are effective in treating digestive system disorders not only in children, but also in adults.

Authorized products include:

• freshly squeezed fruit juices;
• crumbly porridges cooked in water;
• boiled eggs or steam omelet;
• low-fat cottage cheese;
• steamed fish, chicken, turkey, veal and beef.
• wheat crackers without spices.

Prohibited foods for diarrhea in children include:

• carbonated drinks;
• various sweets (ice cream, chocolate, cookies, candies);
• crackers, chips, fast food;
• salty, fatty, fried, smoked and sour dishes;
• fresh vegetables and fruits;
• coffee and dairy products.

On a note! The therapeutic diet must be followed not only during the therapeutic course, but for at least another 2-3 months after its completion. This will prevent various problems with the intestines and the entire digestive system.

Pharmacy drugs

As noted earlier, in the treatment of diarrhea, medications are often prescribed, divided into several groups:

Regardless of the type of drug, you should always consult your doctor before use. The child's body is not yet fully formed, so the use of strong drugs can harm it.

Folk remedies

People often use proven traditional medicine to complement traditional treatments. Of course, before using this or that remedy, you should consult a doctor to avoid unexpected consequences.

Table. Recipes for folk remedies for diarrhea in children.

When using folk remedies, even those tested by good friends, you need to be careful. Incorrect preparation or failure to comply with the recommended dosage can lead to serious problems.

Prevention measures

To prevent the development of dysbiosis and other problems with the gastrointestinal tract, in which the child may experience diarrhea, it is necessary to monitor the personal hygiene and nutrition of the baby. All vegetables or fruits used in the kitchen to prepare a particular dish must undergo preliminary preparation. The same applies to meat, during the preparation of which it is imperative to follow the technology.

If a child has allergies, then make sure that no one gives him or her any allergenic foods. You should get rid of all products of questionable quality; it’s better not to take risks. Potent drugs must be treated with extreme caution (you cannot self-medicate, as well as deviate from the therapeutic course prescribed by the doctor).

Often, diarrhea occurs due to severe stress, so parents should ensure that their baby is always in a good mood and is not exposed to nervous overload and stress. If something makes him nervous, try to get rid of it (for example, a movie or a toy). The combination of all these measures will reduce the risk of diarrhea. read our article.

Video - How to stop diarrhea in a child

Almost everyone has encountered such an unpleasant phenomenon as diarrhea in a child. What is pathology? This is an increased flow of liquid feces. There are many reasons for the pathology, the most important thing is not to let everything take its course, but to take adequate measures. Otherwise, diarrhea can lead to unwanted complications and a significant deterioration in the baby’s well-being.

In this article, we will look at what can be done if the baby begins to have diarrhea, and what treatment methods exist.

Causes

The reasons often depend on how old your baby is. Diarrhea is quite common in infants, and the pathology can be caused by the following factors:

• teething;
• formation of the gastrointestinal tract;
• lactose or enzyme deficiency;
• artificial formula feeding or incorrectly introduced complementary foods;

The cause may also be a reaction to the mother's milk: if she does not follow the diet prescribed by the doctor, the baby may experience diarrhea.

You can also identify the causes of diarrhea that occur in young children, regardless of age:

• problems with the nervous system, stress;
• food poisoning - if the child has eaten low-quality food;
• excessive consumption of vegetables and fruits - almost all of them have a laxative effect;
• frustration after antibiotic therapy;
• lack of hygiene: the child eats with dirty hands, does not wash fruit;
• With frequent overeating, diarrhea also occurs.

Diarrhea can also be a symptom of a serious illness. In this case, you need to consult a doctor as soon as possible, since standard methods will not save you from diarrhea - it is necessary to diagnose the disease and provide adequate treatment.

So, diarrhea can be a symptom of the following diseases:

• allergic reactions;
• various infections;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• inflammation of the mucous membrane;
• haemorrhoids;
• oncological diseases;
• dysbacteriosis;
• worms;
• Crohn's disease.

There is no need to panic ahead of time - most often diarrhea is a consequence of poor hygiene or poor nutrition. However, it is worth seeing a doctor in order to know for sure that your baby does not have serious health problems.

Important: There is such a pathology as bear disease. It can be caused by a stressful situation - for example, if a child is nervous before going to kindergarten, or due to stress associated with an unhealthy family environment. In such cases, the child needs to drink sedative herbs, since this problem is psychological.

Varieties

It all depends on the flow mechanism, as well as the reasons. Let's take a closer look at them.

1. Infectious diarrhea. In this case, the causative agent is an infectious disease. Children under 2 years of age often suffer from such phenomena, especially in winter. The incubation period lasts about 2-3 days, after which the baby may develop vomiting, accompanied by diarrhea. Ultimately, the disease ends with high body temperature, severe headache and general weakness. The duration of the illness is about 7 days.
2. Nutritional. The cause is poor nutrition of the baby. If he has a very poor diet, there are few vitamins in the food, and the food intake is disrupted, diarrhea is quite possible. Another reason why a baby may suffer from intestinal disorders is an allergy to food or medications.
3. Dyspeptic. Occurs as a result of disruption of digestion processes. The cause may be secretory insufficiency of the gastrointestinal tract.
4. Toxic. Diarrhea occurs as a result of poisoning with certain substances - for example, mercury, arsenic, etc.
5. Medication. With long-term treatment with antibiotics, a child's intestinal microflora may be disrupted, resulting in diarrhea. Dysbacteriosis may occur.
6. Neurogenic. It was mentioned above - it arises due to frequent stress, suppressed fears and worries. It's called bear disease.

Intestinal disorder can occur in acute or chronic form. If diarrhea lasts more than three weeks, this means that the pathology has already become chronic. It is necessary to take action as quickly as possible, since diarrhea always leads to dehydration, and this is fraught with unpleasant consequences for the baby.

Diagnostic measures

In order to confirm or exclude the presence of diseases that caused diarrhea, the specialist will in any case prescribe diagnostic measures for the child. They may be as follows:

1. X-ray examination - it is necessary in order to study the rate of movement of certain substances that are administered artificially through the colon.
2. Blood is a mandatory general analysis, and if there is a need to identify specific ailments, then biochemistry is prescribed.

• ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs;
• stool analysis - for dysbacteriosis or helminths;
• coprogram;
• bacterial sowing;
• sigmoidoscopy.

The diagnostic method is selected by the pediatrician based on general data, such as the nature of bowel movements, general condition, and complaints. Only after undergoing research, based on the results of the analysis, can therapy be prescribed.

Treatment methods

It is necessary to start therapy as soon as possible to prevent complications that can be caused by diarrhea. Naturally, if the disease is serious, due to internal causes, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor. External causes that caused diarrhea must be eliminated and therapy carried out in order to remove toxins from the body and improve intestinal function.

First of all, the baby needs to be given something from saline solutions. These include Oralit, Regidron, Gastrolit. A glucose solution is also given, this is necessary in order to avoid dehydration.

If diarrhea is accompanied by fever, then the baby should be given a medicine that contains paracetamol. Children under one year of age are prescribed suppositories due to the fact that they are not able to take a tablet or capsule.

Don't neglect sorbents. They effectively bind and remove toxins from the body, due to which the child’s condition will noticeably improve. Sorbents include white coal, Smecta, Polysorb, Enterosgel, etc.

Specialists for diarrhea prescribe symptomatic medications - these include Bismuth, Imodium, Calcium Carbonate.

If the cause is a serious illness, then the patient requires hospitalization. You need to call a doctor as quickly as possible, and he will develop a further plan of action depending on the general well-being of the little patient.

Therapy depending on the type of disease:

1. Dysbacteriosis. In this case, it is important for the baby to take medications that will restore the intestinal microflora. Such drugs include Linex, Enterol, Acipol, Bifikol. You will also need to take a course of probiotics, as well as bacteriophages.
2. Intestinal infection. In such situations, it is necessary to resort to antibiotics. Among the most effective are Nergam, Nevigramon, Kanamycin, Tienam, Ciprofloxacin, etc. Parents should not miss an important point - they should not prescribe antibiotics to their child on their own, as this can only worsen the situation. The doctor prescribes therapy, depending on the type of infection and the degree of its neglect.
3. Lack of enzymes. If there are not enough enzymes in the child's body, this also provokes diarrhea. In such cases, Panzinorm, Festal, Mezim, Pancreatin, etc. are used.

If diarrhea is accompanied by severe pain, in this case the child can be given antispasmodics - Drotaverine, Spasmomen, etc.

Traditional medicine

If diarrhea in a child is not accompanied by serious symptoms, which may indicate the presence of dangerous pathologies, then you can resort to traditional methods of treatment. All of them have been tried by millions of people and time-tested.

So, if a child has very frequent diarrhea, this may lead to dehydration. In order to avoid it, the parent needs to prepare a special solution (like Regidron):

• 1 liter of water;
• 2 tbsp. Sahara;
• 1 tsp salt;
• 1 tsp soda

The baby should be given water every 15 minutes, at least in small sips.

Let's consider popular, safe and very effective recipes that will help stop diarrhea:

1. Rice water. With its help, you can get rid of excessive gas formation, eliminate stomach cramps, and also stop diarrhea. Prepare as follows: add 40 grams of rice to half a liter of water and cook over low heat for approximately 50 minutes. After the specified time, the resulting broth should be poured into a glass and cooled. Give the child 2 tbsp. every 2 hours. Naturally, if the baby is very small, the portion should be reduced.
2. Pomegranate. Not used for infants. It is easy to prepare the medicine - you need to take a spoonful of the peels of this fruit and pour a glass of boiling water. Then cover with a clean cloth and hide in a dark place for 3-4 hours. Drink 30 grams 3 times a day. It is important to consider that diarrhea cannot be treated with this infusion for more than 2 days.
3. Walnut leaves. You will need one sheet and 200 ml of boiling water. Let it sit for 10-20 minutes, after which you can give it to the patient. The product must be prepared immediately before use.
4. Potato starch. You need to make a solution from it - 1 tsp. starch and 1 tbsp. cold water is thoroughly mixed, after which the solution should be given to the child to drink.
5. Bird cherry. It is also a very effective remedy. You will need 5 bird cherry berries and 300 grams of water - all this needs to be boiled over low heat for about 30 minutes. After cooling, strain - the resulting liquid will save you from diarrhea.
6. Serpentine root. The composition contains tannins - it is they that provide the fastening effect. It is noteworthy that the fact that serpentine root is completely safe for infants has not been proven, so the product should be used with caution. The plant is not toxic. The decoction is prepared as follows: the root must be grated. Then take a teaspoon of the root, add water - 200 ml will be enough. Next, bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately remove the heat and leave to brew.
7. Burnet root. You will need 1 tbsp. chopped root, pour 200 ml. water. Simmer the mixture over low heat for about 25 minutes. Leave to sit for about another 20 minutes. Afterwards you need to strain the resulting broth. Give your child a drink 15 minutes before meals. It is noteworthy that this decoction must be taken even after the general condition has improved.
8. Bananas. When the unripe fruits are crushed into a thick porridge, they can help relieve intestinal upset. Can be used for children of any age - if parents are absolutely sure that the baby does not have an individual intolerance to this product.
9. Potassium permanganate. You can give your baby a weak solution - it eliminates intoxication and also stops diarrhea. The only thing is that potassium permanganate can provoke a gag reflex, so it must be given with caution.

What diet should you follow for diarrhea?

Parents should know how to feed their child correctly to prevent relapse. Many foods tend to provoke stool upset, so they should be excluded from the diet. These foods include foods rich in fiber. You also need to exclude foods that contain large amounts of simple carbohydrates - they cause fermentation in the intestines. Also, the baby will have to give up his favorite treats - ice cream and milk chocolate. In addition to the fact that such food can provoke an attack of diarrhea, it is harmful.

You can eat:

• dried wheat bread;
• light soups with secondary broth;
• boiled eggs;
• lean fish and meat;
• cottage cheese without various additives;
• all kinds of porridges boiled in water.

It is prohibited to eat:

• rich soups with rich broth;
• fresh vegetables;
• fast food;
• pickles and smoked products;
• dairy products;
• soda;
• cakes, chocolates.

Possible complications

The timeliness of seeking qualified help directly determines whether the baby will be hospitalized. If diarrhea appears as a result of external factors, it will not threaten your health. When diarrhea becomes a consequence of any disease, this is fraught with danger to the baby’s health.

If you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner and do not start treatment, this may result in the following complications:

• cramps - they often appear as a result of dehydration;
• chronic stomach upset;
• dysbacteriosis, as a result – proctosigmoiditis, dermatitis, asthma;
• dysentery, as a result - pericolitis, arthritis, intestinal bleeding, anemia, etc.

Dehydration - the body loses a large amount of fluid, along with it potassium and magnesium are washed out, and these substances are vital for the normal development of the child’s body.

If diarrhea persists for a long time, it will be very difficult to treat its effects. That is why all pediatricians argue that it is necessary to carry out therapy in a timely manner in order not to harm the child’s health and to prevent the pathology from developing into a chronic form.

Preventive measures

Every parent should know that it is necessary to take preventive measures in order to avoid diarrhea:

• the baby must follow the rules of hygiene;
• give animal products to the baby only in heat-treated form;
• Be sure to wash fruits and vegetables.

If the child is breastfed, then the mother must follow a diet.

If you adhere to all of the above simple rules, you can prevent diarrhea caused by external factors. If diarrhea is accompanied by other symptoms, the baby should be taken to a pediatrician. Only a qualified doctor, after passing all the examinations, will be able to determine the exact cause of diarrhea in the baby, as well as prescribe adequate treatment.

Video: fever with diarrhea and vomiting: what to do?

Diarrhea in children 6 years old is a common occurrence. A child’s body at this age does not yet have strong immunity to various bacteria and this is the main cause of diarrhea. Let's look at the causes and methods of treating this disease.

Yellow diarrhea in a 6-year-old child can occur due to various factors. The most common of them is the entry of pathogenic bacteria or viruses into the body.
Also, white diarrhea in six-year-old children can appear as a result of taking antibiotics. That is why, when taking them, medications are recommended to normalize the intestinal microflora and replenish the fluid balance in the body.
Another of the most common causes is dysentery. Frequent diarrhea in a six-year-old green child should be a signal to show him to the doctor and undergo the necessary tests. The pediatrician will prescribe the correct treatment according to the etiology of the disease.

Loose stools in children 6 years old, causes

Diarrhea may occur due to the following factors:

• bacterial infection (salmonella, shigella, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus). The sources of such bacteria are most often unwashed hands, poor-quality food, water and direct contact with a sick person. As a result, a 6-year-old child may have diarrhea with mucus;
• a viral infection is also common with diarrhea in children (rotavirus).

Symptoms of diarrhea in children

Diarrhea can be identified by the following signs:

• abdominal pain;
• loose stools repeated several times a day;
• increased gas formation;
• lack of appetite;
• lethargy;
• nausea;
• sweating

Diarrhea is dangerous due to dehydration. If loose stools are accompanied by vomiting, this process accelerates. Symptoms of the body losing fluid are: weight loss, dry mouth, infrequent urination and dark urine, lack of tears when crying. Therefore, if you do not know how to treat diarrhea in a six-year-old baby, remember to constantly drink plenty of fluids.

Loose stools in a 6 year old child, treatment

Your six year old has diarrhea and you don’t know what to do? Does it not go away within two days and has all the signs of dehydration? Contact your doctor immediately. If the baby’s condition is satisfactory, you can use the following tips on how to stop diarrhea in a 6-year-old child:

• After each trip to the toilet, wash your baby to avoid irritation;
• do not force your baby to eat if he has no appetite;
• let's drink more saline solutions (special drugs are sold in pharmacies: rehydron, glucosolan, etc.);
• measure the temperature. If it starts to rise, call a doctor at home;
• If a six-year-old child has diarrhea, and you don’t know how to treat it, you can give the baby smecta and activated carbon or their analogues. Do not give your child any other medications unless prescribed by a specialist;
• think about what the baby ate the day before, which could have become a source of infection.

For the treatment of diarrhea, the doctor usually prescribes diarrhea medications for children 6 years of age, such as enterofuril, imodium, loperamide, and adiarine. The latter helps not only to cope with loose stools, but also to normalize the fluid balance in the body.
You can use traditional methods of treating diarrhea:

• decoctions from the collection of fennel, oak bark and sage (1 tbsp. collection, all in equal quantities) infuse in 200 ml. cook for 15 minutes. Then strain, cool and give the baby 3 times a day, half a glass per appointment;
• A good remedy for diarrhea for a 6-year-old child is dried blueberries and bird cherry in a ratio of 2:3. Take a tablespoon of berry mixture and pour a glass of water and boil for 20 minutes. Take ¼ cup three times a day.

When your child wants to eat, do not refuse him, but try to follow a diet. Eliminate fatty, smoked, fried foods, as well as gas-forming foods from your diet. Give him rice and oatmeal porridge, blended soups, jelly, omelette, boiled and steamed vegetables, blueberries and lingonberries, lean steamed meat and fish.