Treating Diarrhea in Children

What is diarrhea?

The condition of diarrhea in children is the passing of loose and watery stools. A young person with diarrhea typically visits the toilet more than three times a day. Acute diarrhea is a common problem that usually lasts 1 or 2 days and goes away on its own without treatment intervention. Prolonged diarrhea persisting for more than 2 days may be a sign of a more serious problem and poses the risk of dehydration. Diarrhea can cause dehydration, this is particularly dangerous in children and older people, and it must be treated promptly to avoid serious health concerns.

Acute diarrhea is usually related to a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. Chronic diarrhea is usually related to functional disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease.

Some of the more common causes of diarrhea include bacterial infections, viral infections, food intolerance's, parasites, intestinal diseases, bowel function disorders and adverse reactions to medicines.

What are the symptoms of diarrhea?

Diarrhea may be accompanied by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, or an urgent need to use the bathroom. Depending on the cause, a person may have a fever or bloody stools.

Diarrhea in Children

If your child has diarrhea, do not hesitate to call the doctor for advice. Diarrhea is especially dangerous in newborns and infants, leading to dehydration in just a day or two. A child can die from dehydration within a few days. The main treatment for diarrhea in children is rehydration to replace lost fluid quickly.

When to Take Your Child to the Doctor?

Take your child to the doctor if there is no improvement after 24 hours or if any of the following symptoms appear:

Stools containing blood or discharge

Black stools

A temperature

Dehydration

Dehydration

Signs of dehydration in children include:

Dry mouth and tongue

No tears when crying

No wet diapers for 3 hours or more

Sunken abdomen, eyes, or cheeks

High fever

Listlessness or irritability

Skin that does not flatten promptly when pinched and released

If you suspect that your child is dehydrated, call the emergency services immediately. Severe dehydration may require hospitalization.

How to Move on from Long Term Diarrhea?

If your young child is otherwise well and is experiencing intermittent bursts of diarrhea it is suggested that you keep a food diary to keep a track on potential food triggers which your child may be intolerant to.

Feeding your children smaller meals more frequently may also help the digestive process whilst you get the condition under control. Encouraging them to drink plenty of water and fluids to replenish the loss of water and hydrate them is a vital part of the balancing process.

If they are of nursery or school age it would be advised to have them on home prepared meals or ‘packed lunches’ in order that you can keep track of what they are eating.

Diarrhea like any other digestive disorder associated with children is often due to an imbalance. Too much sugar, too much milk and even too much fiber can be the instigators. If you are a breastfeeding mum it is encouraged that you limit spicy and fatty foods, sugary foods and any other potential triggers that can be working their way through your breast milk to the baby.

Something as simple as monitoring the affects that food appears to be having on the consistency of their stools may be helpful. If you have been keeping a food diary and the problem persists, do take that along to your doctor for some guidance. They may be able to advise you further.

Treating Diarrhea in the Early Years

As a parent or carer it can be very daunting to embark on the journey of investigating potential food triggers. Sometimes encouraging your young ones to eat at all can be a challenge, so we do understand. Stick with it, there are instances where children suffer digestive problems for years.

Digestive disorders not only cause children to feel physically ill or weak, long term they will suffer lack of concentration, lack energy, feel confused and lack direction and feel isolated from their classmates and friends.

Children can suffer with undiagnosed food intolerance's into early adulthood because they have never had the opportunity to step back and access their food habits. Undiagnosed digestive problems can cause a child to be unhappy and quite confused. Diarrhea or constipation can become part of your child’s life and even ‘normal’ to them. It is only when the symptoms and associated problems are eliminated that they then realise how the condition had been affecting them. Start them young. Remember, everything in moderation and a well balanced diet with not too much excess is always the suggested route.

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Associated Pages

Hemorrhoids in Children

IBS in Children

Child Constipation

Resources and Links

http://medlineplus.gov/

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/