Diarrhea is frequent, watery stools. Typically, diarrhea in children under one year of age and older 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, and stools 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 bowel movements for several days - and this is normal. An occasional loose bowel movement is not a cause for concern. But if the nature of your baby's bowel movements suddenly changes, that is, he strains more than usual and comes out with looser, more watery stools, then it is most likely diarrhea.

While a serious bout of diarrhea may seem alarming, rest assured that most cases do not pose a serious health threat until your baby shows signs of dehydration.

If the child is generally healthy and receives plenty of fluids, diarrhea in most cases will go away within a couple of days.

The list of possible reasons is long. Diarrhea is caused by viruses or bacterial infection.

When your baby has symptoms of a bacterial infection, make an appointment with the doctor. He will conduct an examination and may recommend testing feces for flora;

Talk to your doctor about alternatives and means to restore gut flora, but do not stop giving your child any prescribed medications without consulting a specialist;

drinking large amounts of juices. Drinking large amounts of juice (especially fruit juice containing sorbitol and high levels of fructose) or large amounts of sweetened drinks can upset your baby's tummy and cause soft stools. Reducing the amount of juice should resolve the problem in a week or more. Pediatricians recommend giving your baby no more than one small glass (about 150 - 200 ml) of juice per day;

. When a child has a food allergy, it means that their body's immune system is reacting in this way to normal, harmless food proteins. A mild or more severe reaction occurs 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. Symptoms of food allergies include diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, and bloody stools. In severe cases, the allergy causes vomiting, hives, rash, swelling and difficulty breathing.

If you think your child has a food allergy, talk to your pediatrician;

food intolerance. Unlike food allergies, intolerances (sometimes called food sensitivities) are abnormal reactions that are not related to the immune system. One example is lactose intolerance. If your baby is lactose intolerant, it means that their body does not have enough lactase, the enzyme that digests 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. Additionally, if your baby has a severe case of diarrhea, he or she may temporarily have trouble producing lactase, resulting in symptoms of lactose intolerance for a week or two;

poisoning. Toddlers are adventurous and always want to try something new. This often leads them to try non-edible substances such as chemicals, plants or drugs.

If your child swallows such an item, diarrhea and vomiting may occur. 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 your baby poops several times a day and the stool is loose, foul-smelling, and contains undigested food or mucus, it may have 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 child’s life. You should contact a specialist immediately if your baby is lethargic or has prolonged diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, or blood-streaked stools.

However, you can reduce 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 fluids, which include broth and water. If the child is an infant, this should be done often.

2. Increase fat intake. Research shows that children who eat mostly low-fat foods are more likely to develop diarrhea. This type of diet is suitable for preventing cardiovascular disease, but it is important for children to consume more fat than recommended for adults. Babies need fat to make up 30 to 40 percent of their total daily caloric intake. They can get fat components from whole milk, cheeses, cottage cheese, yogurt and other dairy products.

3. Minimize 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 becomes fuller during meals, which leads to less consumption of vegetables and fiber-rich fats.

4. Increase your fiber intake. Diets low in fiber lead to functional diarrhea in children aged 1 to 5 years. Increasing fiber in your child's diet will help stabilize stools and prevent loose stools from forming watery stools. However, do not overdo it with fiber, as too much will lead to constipation.

Encourage your child to eat fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, which are rich in fiber and will help prevent diarrhea.

5. Fenugreek seeds. Fenugreek seeds contain a large amount of sticky substance, which is considered a very useful natural cure for diarrhea in a child. Fenugreek seeds have the ability to strengthen stool. Thus, it significantly 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 which will help in treating diarrhea caused by bacteria. The pectin content in this product is useful for relieving cramps. Dilute 2 to 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and offer it to your child up to twice a day.

7. Blueberries. The anthocyanoside in blueberries has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It also comes with plenty of soluble fiber, which is helpful in relieving diarrhea symptoms.

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 can help relieve diarrhea in children 3 years of age and younger. The starch content of white rice is very high, making it very easy to overcook. You can also use plain cooked white rice, but avoid spices or sauces.

Remember, if a child under 3 years of age has diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, pain, nausea and vomiting, then he has 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 medications will tell you how to correctly calculate the dosage for children over one year of age.

Electrolyte solutions

As mentioned earlier, if a child has diarrhea, drinking water is absolutely necessary. The doctor will tell you how to replenish lost fluids and salts. You can purchase these products in the form of a ready-made solution or a weighed portion of salts for the preparation of liquid for oral rehydration at your local pharmacy.

When a child is vomiting and is unable to drink anything, the doctor will prescribe intravenous medicinal 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 the doctor.

If a child's diarrhea is caused by another disease or condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease, then treatment of the underlying disease will be a priority.

Diarrhea is a symptom of an underlying condition and will improve 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 reduce the duration of diarrhea and have no side effects. Yogurts and children's Bifidin are an excellent choice when treating diarrhea in a child.

Do not give your child any antidiarrheal medications without a doctor's recommendation. These products may be unsafe for the baby.

Diarrhea goes away over time and usually does not require special treatment unless it is due to an infection.

Diet for diarrhea

Instead of feeding your child three large meals a day, divide the food into six to eight small meals throughout the day.

What can a child with diarrhea eat?

The following products should be included in the diet:

bananas;
white rice;
toast;
baked fish, chicken, beef or turkey;
pasta;
corn flakes and oats;
vegetables such as carrots, mushrooms, asparagus, peeled zucchini, beets, green beans and zucchini;
baked potatoes;
boiled eggs;
pancakes and waffles made from white refined flour.

Let 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 foods for several days.

Just knowing what to feed your child when he has diarrhea is not enough. You should also be aware of the foods you need to avoid.

Some foods increase the symptoms of diarrhea, 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 stool, or very unpleasant odors, this indicates a serious problem such as cystic fibrosis or the presence of helminths. In general, when you notice that your baby's bowel movements are abnormal for several days, consult a doctor.

List of signs and symptoms that are alarming and require immediate medical attention

Bloody diarrhea.
The child refuses food and drinks.
Constant diarrhea.
Frequent vomiting.
Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, fatigue, 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 go to emergency care, it 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 have vomiting or diarrhea, it is a scary moment because children do not know what is happening to them.

Publication date: 26-11-2019

How and how to treat diarrhea in a child under five years of age?

Diarrhea in a child is a pathological condition of the gastrointestinal tract, which occurs against the background of the influence of external irritants and disturbances in the functioning of the functional systems of the body. Preventive measures are carried out in order to prevent the disease, and when the first symptoms appear, immediately seek the help of a doctor. Timely contact with a specialist will prevent the occurrence of complications and other adverse reactions.

Causes and symptoms

The etiology of diarrhea has a different nature. It can develop when:

non-compliance with feeding regime;
acute intoxication;
intestinal infection;
enzyme imbalance of the gastrointestinal tract, hormonal mechanism;
long-term therapy with potent antibiotics;
nervous overstrain.

Most often, diarrhea in children occurs at the beginning of the first year of life and is associated with violation of sanitary and hygienic requirements (insufficiently clean nipples, bottles), overfeeding (inconsistency with the age of the quantity or quality of food), allergic reactions to cereals and other circumstances.

When a child has diarrhea, an extremely insidious and dangerous problem arises, since dehydration of the body relative to the total body weight occurs very quickly. With watery stools, from 50 to 100 ml of liquid are removed from it, in older children after 5 years - 100-200 ml. The digestive system of infants reacts sensitively to the introduction of artificial nutrition. And the period of teething can become an additional factor in intestinal upset.

The main symptoms of the disease are associated with decreased fluid balance. Water diarrhea in a child causes constant thirst, dryness and decreased elasticity of the skin, lethargy, refusal to eat, and retraction of the fontanel. Clinical tests show a sharp decrease in the amount of urine excreted (becomes dark and concentrated) and the frequency of urination (under 2 years old - up to 10 times, older - 4-5 times). In this case, the baby should definitely be sent to the inpatient department of the children's clinic.

Liquid feces come in different consistencies - similar to gruel with pieces of undigested food or watery with additional inclusions of pus, mucus, blood and with a pungent odor. During infectious infections, it develops (symptom of rotavirus infection), having different color shades. When infected with salmonellosis, the stool turns the color of marsh grass, with hepatitis - white, with amoebic dysentery - crimson. In addition, vomiting, pain in the abdominal area, and fluctuations in body temperature are observed.

Unbalanced diet

Insufficient attention to the combination of products with different compositions (for example, fresh fish and milk while taking them at the same time, plenty of food) provokes the formation of a fermentation effect. This is especially typical for long trips, the so-called “traveler’s diarrhea”, after visiting guests or a festive feast. Often it all ends with minor ailments in the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and enzymatic organs. Less often it is necessary to restore functions through the consumption of enzyme preparations (,), antidiarrheals (imodium,) or. But when the baby is less than 2 years old, his physiological capabilities are not taken into account, and this leads to undesirable consequences in the form of loose stools, regurgitation or vomiting, and intestinal colic.

Disorders of the digestive tract () are eliminated by gradually returning to a normal diet. It is advisable to skip one or two meals and replace them with a weak infusion of chamomile, a salty mixture - rehydron saline solution or 5% glucose solution. If the desire to eat appears during the first 24 hours, feed the baby up to 2 years of age only with mother's milk or proven formulas according to the established regime, but the portion should be half the usual size. Feeding additional food is prohibited, so as not to provoke a recurrence of the disorder. On the second day, the amount of food for the baby can be increased to 1/2 of the amount established by age and within 4 days brought to normal. Only on the 5th day may the doctor allow you to give additional food while taking enzyme preparations or sorbents.

Food poisoning, infections, dysbacteriosis, allergies

Severe diarrhea in children due to intoxication with poor-quality food or infection with intestinal pathogens manifests itself in the form of:

vomiting;
pain in the head and stomach;
malfunction of the thermal control system;
general malaise (drowsiness, weakness).

Acute respiratory and viral infections can also contribute to the appearance of liquid stool with accompanying catarrhal symptoms - cough, runny nose, pain in the larynx. Dysbacteriosis, which occurs during long-term use of antibiotics, is a dysfunction of the digestive organs, resulting in inhibition of beneficial intestinal microflora. Diarrhea in a child (2 years old) is observed in the form of the following symptoms: bloating, alternating diarrhea and constipation. The stool has a very unpleasant odor, a liquefied consistency with the color of swamp mud.

The possibility cannot be ruled out that diarrhea in children develops as a consequence of food allergies, endocrine disorders, emotional fatigue, and fear, which in folk art is called “bear disease.” There are other, more rare, causes of irritation of the digestive organs in a baby. Therefore, when the first signs of illness are noticed, you must immediately seek help from medical staff.

Hereditary diseases

Celiac enteropathy is associated with the immunity of the biostructures of the protein of cereal crops - gluten, which is the basis of wheat, rye, and oats. The disease becomes noticeable after the first 2 years, when the child can eat flour products and all kinds of cereals. Circumstances arising from the transmission of hereditary damage in the gene structure or diseases of the gastrointestinal tract lead to the development of foamy stools, weight loss, growth retardation, and disorders of fat and protein metabolism.

How to cure diarrhea with gluten therapy? The basis of treatment is maintaining a gluten-free diet. It is necessary to completely remove all products that contain semolina, oatmeal, pearl barley, wheat, pasta, bread and confectionery sweets. Normalization of stool occurs within 2 weeks, body weight is restored within a year, and height within 2 years. At the same time, you should always monitor your diet and food quality.

Another cause of diarrhea may be a genetic disease - cystic fibrosis, which affects the endocrine glands, especially the digestive and respiratory systems. Alternating constipation and diarrhea can reach such a state that it is necessary to resort to surgical intervention. Treatment of diarrhea is symptomatic. or specific is expressed in very serious symptoms of severe inflammation of the mucous membrane of the large intestine. The disease can last for years. Loose stools are accompanied by the discharge of scarlet blood and pain in the abdominal area.

Lactic enzyme deficiency

One of the serious genetic problems that causes bowel dysfunction is lactase deficiency. It is explained by the complete absence or deficiency of the lactase enzyme, which breaks down lactose, a milk carbohydrate. The amount of enzyme in the body can change throughout life and depend on previous gastrointestinal diseases, the hormonal system and other factors. In a 3 year old (4 year old) child, lactose deficiency gradually disappears as the final formation of the gastrointestinal tract organs occurs. Practice shows that symptoms of milk intolerance become noticeable literally from the very beginning of breastfeeding. After each meal, profuse loose stools with a sour smell, bloating, regurgitation and vomiting appear. The child is not gaining weight well. Clinical tests confirm the diagnosis of lactase intolerance by the presence of carbohydrates in the stool.

Only a pediatrician can determine how to treat diarrhea in children. The main condition is a ban on drinking milk. After 4 days of no milk in the diet, the intestines calm down, all symptoms disappear, and the diarrhea itself stops. From the 5th day weight gain begins. Today there are milk formulas that either do not contain lactose at all, or where it is present in minimal quantities. The transition to artificial nutrition is carried out within 2-3 days.

To treat diarrhea in a child, doctors suggest using a pharmacological agent - Lactase, which is a lactose enzyme. If the baby’s body rejects the drug, you should switch to artificial feeding that does not contain lactose. Since milk carbohydrates can also be contained in other products as a component, older children suffering from lactase deficiency should be given them with caution. If you have a hereditary deficiency of milk enzyme, strictly adhere to a lactose-free diet throughout your life. Temporary discomfort due to the underdevelopment of the baby’s intestines can be eliminated within a year with further gradual introduction of dairy products into the diet.

Treatment of diarrhea with medications and folk remedies

How to treat diarrhea? To prevent dehydration of the body, losses of fluid and salts should be gradually replenished. Special solutions - Regidron, Glucosolan, Tsitroglucosolan - are sold in pharmacy stores and are used in accordance with the instructions. Correct consumption of the drug is indicated by the restoration of urination. It is not prohibited to consume chamomile or rice decoction, still mineral water, sugar-free compotes, and fruit juices diluted with water. The following can be used as herbal teas:

chamomile color;
oak bark;
sage leaf;
plantain;
blueberry or bird cherry fruits.

A good recipe for preventing loose and painful stools includes 250 ml of orange juice, a pinch of table salt and a teaspoon of sugar.

Treatment of diarrhea in children in acute cases, along with the use of natural remedies, must be supported by pharmacological drugs. Absorbing substances in the form of activated carbon, enterosgel and others have proven themselves to be effective. For flatulence and bloating, disflatil is useful. When the intestinal area is covered by girdle pain, it is necessary to take antispasmodic medications -,. All medications are taken according to the prescription prescribed by the pediatrician.

To properly treat diarrhea in a child, you must adhere to a diet. The old rule says that if a child does not want to eat during diarrhea, then there is no need to force it. Fried, fatty, smoked and salty foods should be completely excluded from the diet. Products that increase intestinal activity are not allowed. These include: milk, cabbage, pickled vegetables, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, apples, kvass, sugar.

You are allowed to take jelly, mashed potatoes in water with the addition of vegetable oil, rice soup, and porridge in water. Useful fruits include pear, quince, dogwood, lingonberry, and blueberry. Give boiled meat and fish carefully. It is advisable for the smallest infants to continue breastfeeding. “Artificial” ones are converted to soy, low-lactose or lactose-free mixtures.

Diarrhea in children can be eliminated through the joint efforts of doctors and parents if all prescription instructions are followed.

There is nothing more painful for parents than looking at a suffering child. Often, diarrhea is accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms, which in turn create discomfort for the child. At the age of 4 years, children are most susceptible to bowel disorders. We’ll look at how to cure a child’s illness in our article.

Before you begin to eliminate the problem, you need to find out the cause of diarrhea. There are many reasons for stool disorder, but most often it is due to intestinal infection or poisoning.

In addition to the main reasons for causing loose stools, the following factors:

Excessive consumption of age-inappropriate foods.
Symptoms of various diseases (dysentery, dysbacteriosis).
Lack of personal hygiene.
Long-term course of taking antibiotics or other medications.
Viral infection.

In any case, you need to see a doctor and take the necessary tests to make the correct diagnosis. Diarrhea in childhood is fraught with dehydration, which is dangerous for the child’s life, so treatment should begin as early as possible.

At the age of 4 years, a child may independently complain of characteristic abdominal pain. Loose, watery, or mushy stools are common. Also, depending on the cause of diarrhea, stool may have different colors and impurities.

Other symptoms of bowel disorder include:

Flatulence in the stomach.
Abdominal pain.
Loose stools.
Possible increased body temperature, nausea and vomiting.

Many parents ask this question, because they don’t want to stuff their child with medications unnecessarily. If the diarrhea stops on its own without taking medications within 24 hours, most likely the cause is the foods that caused loose stools. In this case, there is no need to use medications; it is enough to give the child as much fluid as possible. An excellent option would be herbal tea, clean boiled water, or berry juice. This manipulation is necessary in order to restore lost fluid in the body.

Let's look at the basic rules for how parents should act when their child has diarrhea.:

If the frequency of bowel movements does not exceed five times a day, you can start with the most harmless option - rice porridge. It is necessary to cook porridge without adding milk. In this case, the consistency of the porridge should be quite thick.
If you have diarrhea, you should not give your child fatty or smoked foods. It is worth giving preference to light chicken-based broths with black bread croutons.
If diarrhea lasts more than three days and signs of dehydration are observed, it is necessary to purchase medications to restore fluid in the body. Depending on the age of the child and the cause of diarrhea, the doctor will prescribe a suitable remedy.
As mentioned above, a 4-year-old child is most susceptible to bowel disorders due to numerous factors. As a preventive measure, you can give dill water before meals.
For bacterial or viral infections, thick jelly prepared at home will be an addition to the main treatment.

As you know, with diarrhea, the body loses a lot of fluid, with which not only bad bacteria come out, but also good ones. To restore the intestinal microflora, it is still necessary to turn to medications. Let's consider what to give a child for diarrhea at 4 - 5 years old:

Hilak - forte. It is recommended to use two to three times a day. Add 30 drops of medicine to a small amount of water or tea; it is advisable to take it with meals; the course of treatment is at least 7 days. Please note that mixing the drug with dairy products is strictly prohibited.

Linux. Thanks to live bacteria, Linex capsules restore the intestinal microflora and prevent the entry of pathogenic bacteria. Children are recommended to take 2 capsules two to three times a day with plenty of water. The course of treatment is prescribed individually by the attending physician, depending on the cause of diarrhea.

Acipol. The medicine is available in capsules. Children take one capsule three times a day. Due to the massive size of the capsule, the child may not be able to swallow the medicine whole. In this case, the contents of the capsule are diluted in a small amount of liquid and drunk before meals. The course of treatment is at least 7 days.

Smecta. Children aged 4 years need to consume 2 sachets per day. Usually one sachet is divided into two doses, after dissolving the powder in a small amount of warm boiled water. Take before meals. Long-term use of the drug is not recommended, as the opposite effect (constipation) is possible.

Enterosgel. The syrup is taken after meals, half a teaspoon. The drug is allowed to be used for 3 days, three times a day. A repeated course is possible after consultation with your doctor.

Loose stools caused by overeating or eating the wrong foods can be restored with the help of folk remedies. These recipes are completely safe for children.

Dried chamomile flowers and mint leaves pour hot water and let it brew for several hours. Take 1/4 cup orally after meals.
To prevent dehydration, you need to consume as much vitamin C as possible. The best option would be rosehip decoction. Place the fruits in a thermos and pour boiling water over them. After three hours, pour 1/3 glass of liquid, cool to room temperature and drink after meals.
For one glass of boiled water, take half a teaspoon of potato starch.. The child needs to drink a few sips after each meal.

Diarrhea is the most common disorder of the digestive system. It is not an independent disease, but is part of the symptoms of various types of infections or general somatic diseases.

This condition of the body is commonly called diarrhea. It is very dangerous and requires immediate medical attention. In case of delayed action, complications and irreversible changes in the body may develop. Severe cases of diarrhea can be fatal.

Signs and causes of diarrhea

Let's look at the main causes of diarrhea:

Indications for prescribing drugs for diarrhea

Never self-medicate. If you do not know exactly why your child has loose stools, consult a doctor immediately, as the consequences may be irreversible.

Let's consider situations when a child should be given medications:

Review of treatments for childhood diarrhea

Drugs that improve intestinal microflora

Probiotics for the treatment of intestinal dysbiosis are preparations that contain live microorganisms that are representatives of the normal microflora of the human digestive tract.

All bifidobacteria can be divided into groups of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. These drugs can normalize stool, create a protective layer of microorganisms on the intestinal mucosa and increase the body's resistance to pathogenic factors.

Let's get acquainted with popular drugs:

- a drug based on natural ingredients, used for the treatment of various disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The drug is approved for use even by newborns. It is a powder. Indications for the use of this drug are intestinal infections, after taking antibacterial drugs, after allergic reactions from the digestive tract. The drug is used before and after antibiotic therapy. The child can be given the drug for preventive purposes. It is available in several forms: tablets, powders and suppositories. The price is about 150 rubles.
. The drug is used for the above problems. It is quite common in the pharmaceutical market. Available in capsule form that must be swallowed. The price is about 400 rubles.
. The drug is available in various forms. Sold in the form of powder, tablets, ampoules and capsules. There are also candles. These forms make it easier to use with young children. No contraindications or side effects have been identified. The price is about 80 rubles.
. The drug is also available in the form of chewable tablets. Therefore, it is very convenient for use in children. The product strengthens the immune system well. Price about 300 rubles.

This group of drugs includes:

Bificol;
Biobakton;
RioFlora Immuno;
RioFlora balance;
Enterozermina;
Biosporin;

List of tools you should always have with you

These drugs include those that can slow down intestinal motility. This will stop the signs of diarrhea. But these funds can be used strictly in accordance with the instructions and for a precisely established reason.

If toxins are already accumulating in the body due to poisoning or the disease is of a bacterial nature and in the absence of etiological treatment, microorganisms will accumulate in the body.

Among this group of drugs it is necessary to highlight the following:

. A remedy that quickly reduces the urge to defecate and increases the time it takes for food to pass through the intestines. The product is very common on the market. But the drug can only be taken by children over 6 years of age. Average price25 rub.
. The drug is able to kill microbes in the intestines. The drug belongs to the group of antimicrobials. It can be taken by children no earlier than two years of age. Average price 25 rub.
. Another popular and cheap drug. Allowed for use by children aged one year. Often used for food poisoning and diarrhea. Average price50 rub.

There are many analogues of these drugs, these include:

Lopedium;
Suprilol;
Enterobene;
Diara;
Stoperan;
Loflatil.

Antibacterial drugs used in children

Only a doctor should prescribe and select the most suitable anti-diarrhea remedy for the treatment of intestinal infection. You should not self-medicate, especially since many drugs are contraindicated for children.

The drug is prescribed for high temperature, pathological and disease-specific stools. Mucus or blood in the stool should alert you. In these cases, you should immediately start taking antibacterial drugs.

The main medications approved for use by children are:

Furazolidone. The drug is approved for use only by children over 3 years of age. A product from the nitrofuran group. Used for giardiasis, dysentery and other infections. Average price 50 rub..
. A new drug that is an analogue of Furazolidone. It is used in children from one month of age. Available in various dosage forms, including syrup. Average price 150 rub.
. A drug that can be used in children from two years of age. Has a wide spectrum of action. Average price 600 rub.

Drugs in this group used in children include:

Phthalazol;
Tannacomp;
Amoxiclav;
Amoxicillin;
Flemoxin.

Enterosorbents used for diarrhea in children

Widely used for various digestive disorders. They have positive properties. They are able to remove waste and toxins that are formed during poisoning, the development of infections, and remove toxic substances and allergens from the body. They have a positive effect on the development of diarrhea and bloating.

This group of drugs has adsorbent, detoxification and antidiarrheal effects. Some of them contain prebiotics and have a positive effect on the intestinal microflora. After use, they retain loose stools.

List of enterosorbents:

This group of drugs includes:

Silix;
Whitesorb;
Carbactin;
Carbolene;
Ultra-Adsorb;
Sorbex;

Restoring water-salt balance in children during diarrhea

Restoring the water-salt balance is necessary to maintain all biologically important metabolic processes in the body. This is especially important when the child’s diarrhea continues for several days or vomiting occurs.

Rehydration should begin immediately, without waiting for signs of dehydration. The most dangerous and life-threatening signs of dehydration in a child are sunken fontanel, eyes, lack of urination, and dry mucous membranes.

Initially, anti-diarrhea medications are used for oral administration. Usually these are powders for dissolution in water. Unsoldering infants is more difficult. You need to feed your child through a bottle; if that doesn’t work, then use a spoon or pipette.

The following drugs are used for these purposes:

Hydrovit forte. The drug is completely identical to Regidron. Price 140 rub.
Gastrolit. The composition includes bicarbonate and chloride, chamomile extract, potassium chloride and glucose. Price 300 rub.
Citraglucosolan. The drug is available in different forms, different sachets contain different concentrations of salts. Price 15 rub.
Trihydron (analogue of Reosolan). A drug containing 3 salts at once. These are sodium citrate, sodium chloride and potassium chloride. Price 100 rub.

Herbal remedies for treating diarrhea

There are many effective and inexpensive remedies for the treatment of diarrhea, which are classified as folk remedies. More often, these drugs are used in young children, or in those for whom synthetic drugs are contraindicated.

Among them we highlight the following:

Oak bark is an effective remedy for diarrhea. The broth is cooked until light brown so that it becomes weak. It has an astringent effect and also slows down intestinal motility. Price 80 rub.
Dried blueberries also have a fixing effect. Under no circumstances should you take fresh berries if you have diarrhea. On the contrary, they lead to diarrhea. In this case, the condition may worsen. A jelly or decoction is made from dried berries. Price 70 rub.
Bird cherry fruits are a powerful remedy for diarrhea. But you can take it after 12 years. The thing is that they contain hydrocyanic acid. Price 60 rub.
Burnet roots. Its decoction reduces intestinal motility and removes toxins. In addition, it helps with inflammatory bowel diseases. Price 40 rub.
Pomegranate fruits and loose leaf tea help in the fight against the disease.

Rules for taking medications

You cannot decide on your own which drug to use to treat your child. The rules of admission and the choice of drugs should be decided by the doctor.

After the treatment is prescribed, you need to find out the rules for taking the medications.

Before taking anti-diarrhea medications, you must practice good hygiene., especially if the disease is caused by an intestinal infection. To do this, wash your hands before eating or taking medications.
Maintaining proper nutrition. Sometimes drugs are added to food. This is especially true for infants.
You can only take symptomatic medications for diarrhea for a short time. There is no need to continue treatment if the condition does not improve.
The recommended dose must be followed. It should not be exceeded, especially in infants.
Take anti-diarrhea medications approximately 30 minutes before eating.
Sorbents should be taken within an hour after the main drug.
Probiotics are prescribed after taking antibiotics. They are consumed an hour after antibiotics.

Comparison of a child's stool norm with pathology:

Indicator	Norm	Pathology
Frequency	3-4 times	From 5 times and above
Consistency	Thick mushy	Liquid, watery, with an admixture of small clots against the background of the liquid mass. Foamy with veins.
Color	Dark yellow or dark brown	Yellow, green, black, crimson, gray, reminiscent of rice water.
Smell	Characteristic odor of feces.	Fetid, Yeast-like, sour, bilious.

Side effects and contraindications

List of side effects and contraindications:

Taking diarrhea medications incorrectly Headache, dizziness, and epigastric pain may occur.
A rash may appear on your child's body after taking anti-diarrhea medications. of a different nature, here you need to pay close attention to it, because the condition can turn into anaphylactic shock.
In some cases, the child may vomit, diarrhea may get worse.

There are main contraindications to the use of anti-diarrhea medications:

Fever, blood in stool, intestinal obstruction, the presence in the child of diseases such as epilepsy, liver problems of various origins and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.
Drugs such as Levomycetin and Tetracycline are contraindicated for children up to a certain age, therefore they are used strictly as prescribed by a doctor.

Diet in children with diarrhea

During the acute period of the disease, feed the child only liquid or pureed foods. Products can be ground or chopped with a blender. It is recommended to give meat to the child in the form of puree or baked soufflé.

First of all, give your child as much water as possible, this can be boiled water or warm tea. You cannot force a child to eat and you should not give your child sweet, spicy, or salty foods.

If possible, limit or completely avoid foods that increase intestinal motility. You need to feed your child less fresh vegetables and dairy products.

If the baby is breastfed, continue to feed. If diarrhea develops, you need to increase the number of feedings, while also reducing the portion. The same should be done with a bottle-fed child.

If you give your child special tea approved for infants or some water, then continue. In case of profuse diarrhea or associated vomiting, the volume of administered fluid should be increased.

Preventive measures

Prevention methods are quite simple:

To the great regret of parents, children get sick quite often: either a sore throat will overtake them, or the flu, or even such an unpleasant and rather dangerous disease as diarrhea. It is called a painful condition of the intestines in which the child goes to the toilet frequently and loosely.

Dealing with diarrhea is not easy, but it must be done to prevent dehydration, weight loss and other troubles related to the child’s health.

What could be the causes of diarrhea?

Among the reasons why gastrointestinal upset occurs are:

Intestinal infections

They are characterized by diarrhea, fever, profuse vomiting and intolerable abdominal pain.

Dysbacteriosis

Diarrhea in a child is a consequence of taking antibiotics that cause disruption of the intestinal microflora. Most often it is foamy, has a greenish tint and is accompanied by pain.

Rich food

Sometimes too much food (fruits or sweets) causes diarrhea and vomiting.

Cold

Sometimes with a cold, intestinal upset is added to a runny nose, fever, cough and other symptoms.

Food intolerance

If you change your baby's diet, be prepared for the fact that he may have diarrhea. This happens when a child is transferred from regular formula to complementary foods. It happens that intestinal upset is caused by an allergy to honey or even milk.

Stress

Neuroses, worries and stress - all these factors can cause intestinal disorders. As a rule, with the elimination of the cause of the experience, diarrhea also goes away.

Symptoms of diarrhea

The main symptoms of diarrhea in children include the following:

frequent acts of defecation, accompanied by loose stools;
rumbling in the stomach;
pain;
frequent urge to go to the toilet (including false ones, when the child wants to go, but has nothing);
bloating and grumbling;
apathy;
loss of appetite;
nausea;
weakness;
mucus or blood in the stool.

Features of diarrhea

Seasonality

Abdominal upset can begin in a child at any time of the year, regardless of the season. However, most often diarrhea plagues children in the summer, when they eat a lot of fruit, and food spoils faster in the heat.

In winter, gastrointestinal infections caused by rotaviruses are more common.

Transfer mode

It is transmitted from baby to baby either through food or by contact - through dirty hands or hygiene and household items. In this case, the incubation period depends primarily on the cause of diarrhea.

Duration

In terms of clinical development, doctors divide intestinal disorders into acute, lasting no more than two weeks, and chronic, lasting much longer.

What should you do if you have diarrhea in children?

Inspect the chair

After the child has gone to the toilet, do not flush the feces down the toilet, but carefully inspect them.

Do you see the blood? This is a bad sign, indicating both damage to the intestinal mucosa (red color of the blood) and damage to the stomach (dark color). In this case, you need to call your doctor and have him come to your home.

Feel the stomach

Of course, there is no need to press hard on the baby’s tummy: you should be careful not to hurt the baby. Touch your skin gently and gently with your fingers. Your task is to detect tension in the abdominal walls.

A hard and “petrified” stomach, as well as a very distended one, is a signal to call a doctor as soon as possible.

Examine the skin and mucous membranes

If diarrhea is caused by an allergy to some foods, then you will notice redness of the baby's eyes and nose, as well as the appearance of a rash on his body.

Measure temperature

If your baby's temperature rises, his pulse quickens, and his blood pressure drops, this may indicate that the cause of the diarrhea is poisoning.

Remember what the baby ate

Could the child have swallowed something foreign while eating? Did he eat too much? Overeating also causes diarrhea, and in this regard, it is very important to notice in time the loss of food from the refrigerator.

Treatment of diarrhea in children: step by step

We draw up a menu for the baby and include easily digestible foods in it, removing everything salty, spicy and fatty. Allergic foods and sweets should also be excluded.
In case of putrefactive diarrhea, we stop feeding the child with protein foods, and in case of fermentative diarrhea, we do not give him carbohydrates.
We split up the food, dividing the daily meal into 5-6 parts and be sure to give it in equal portions.
We make sure that the baby chews food well and does not try to “bite.” The child should know that fast food is harmful to health. It is also important not to just chew the food, but to moisten it generously with saliva in your mouth while chewing.
We are switching to a new lifestyle - this means eliminating all physical activity. The baby should go to bed earlier and get as much rest as possible.

Treatment with folk remedies

You can fight diarrhea in children using time-tested folk remedies. We offer you two of the most effective recipes based on the traditions of traditional medicine.

Congee

Perhaps the most accessible remedy in the fight against diarrhea, which is simple to prepare and has a lot of useful properties.

Among them are:

effectiveness associated with the ability to coat the intestines or improve peristalsis;
astringent properties: starch contained in rice and entering the body absorbs excess liquid and helps thicken the intestinal contents;
combating flatulence in a child: rice water prevents fermentation;
safety of use: even those children who are allergic to medications can be given rice broth;
Availability: Plain rice can be found in every home.

Recipe

Dip 2 teaspoons of rice in 0.5 liters of boiling water poured into a saucepan (before this you need to soak it briefly in plain, cool water). Rice should be cooked for 50 minutes, stirring regularly. When ready, it should cool thoroughly so that you can then carefully strain the broth through gauze.

How to give?

It all depends on the age of the child. The dose varies from 50 to 100 milliliters, which are given to the baby 3-4 times a day.

Improvement occurs approximately an hour after the first dose of the decoction.

Rice porridge, which you can feed him in between drinking rice, will also help strengthen the child’s condition. After qualitative improvement, you can later replace the decoction with sweet strong tea and rye crackers.

Bird cherry

In folk medicine, both bird cherry flowers and its bark are actively used to combat diarrhea. The beneficial effect of this plant on the body is due to its high content of tannins.

Exceptions

You can use bird cherry at home when the nature of the diarrhea was non-infectious. Also, you cannot use the plant constantly so that the glycoside it contains, amygdalin, does not accumulate in the baby’s body in the form of hydrocyanic acid (this is a potent poison).

All products and infusions that contain bird cherry must be prepared strictly according to the recipe and only after their use has been approved by the attending physician.

Decoction recipe

Wash the bird cherry bunches, put them in a glass (half the container) and pour them into the pan. Pour 2 cups of boiled water over the bird cherry and brew in a water bath for 30 minutes.

After this, the broth should be infused for another half hour under the lid, then it is filtered and poured with the same amount of blueberry juice.

How to give?

The resulting decoction is given to the baby every hour, 1 tbsp. l. Children under 3 years old drink a teaspoon every 2 hours - and nothing more.

Help with medicines

Antibiotics

Quite often, parents often try to suppress diarrhea in a child with various antibiotics like Levomycetin or Enterofuril.

Of course, these drugs stop diarrhea, but this type of treatment is fundamentally wrong, because the decision to prescribe antibiotics to treat diarrhea should come exclusively from the doctor.

Reception features

Not every infection needs to be treated with antibiotics, as some will clear up on their own within 2-3 days. They also treat infections, mainly of the bacterial type, but antibiotics do not help against diseases caused by enterovirus or rotavirus.

Finally, these drugs are quite unsafe and cause a number of complications, and their frequent use provokes bacteria to become accustomed to their active action group. Therefore, we strongly do not recommend taking them without consulting your doctor!

Antidiarrheal drugs

The most common drugs in this group are Loperamide and Smecta, which help combat increased intestinal contractions and increase the tone of the anal sphincter.

Reception features

They must be used with caution as they cause a number of side effects. "Loperamide", for example, provokes the development of obstruction.

In addition, if a baby’s diarrhea is the result of poisoning or an intestinal infection, then the use of such drugs will slow down the removal of toxins from the diseased body.

Enterosorbents

This can be either activated carbon or a newer drug called Filtrum-sti. They both eliminate diarrhea by absorbing bacteria and toxins, thickening the baby's stool.

Reception features

Enterosorbents are quite safe for the baby, but an overdose can lead to a number of serious complications.

Prebiotics and probiotics

A popular medicinal group, which includes Linex, Hilak Forte and Laktofiltrum, which prevent the growth of infection. They actively restore the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract and help cope well with the consequences of diarrhea and antibiotic therapy.

When should you see a doctor?

Parents of a baby who has diarrhea should immediately consult a doctor if:

the baby’s condition is rapidly deteriorating;
the child has already lost more than 5% of his weight;
the baby is apathetic;
he has a fever;
he vomits;
the child suffers from abdominal pain,
there is blood in the stool or it has become an unnatural color.

Preventing dehydration due to diarrhea

Most often, illnesses associated with diarrhea, with consistent treatment, taking sufficient fluids and maintaining bed rest, go away quite quickly.

The greater danger with diarrhea is dehydration, in which the necessary balance of water and salts is disturbed, the body intensively loses them and, as a result, becomes dehydrated.

Signs of dehydration

Mild to moderate dehydration in a child is characterized by 5% weight loss, lethargy, dry mouth, no or few tears when crying, and an infrequent urge to urinate.

Severe dehydration is characterized by 5-10% weight loss, lethargy or irritability, dry mouth, lack of tears, pale skin, infrequent urge to urinate, and dark yellow urine.

How to prevent dehydration?

It is necessary to monitor the child and his behavior and be sure to give the baby water as often as possible. It is also worth giving him special solutions and giving him an IV as prescribed by the doctor.