Diarrhea in children can start suddenly and last less than two weeks or continuously, which requires prompt treatment. In most cases, diarrhea subsides or resolves within a few days, but sometimes it may take longer. The main risk of diarrhea is lack of fluids in the body, this problem can be solved by giving the child plenty of fluids. Stay with us until the end of this article to get to know the causes, symptoms and **quick treatment of children's diarrhea**. What factors cause acute diarrhea in children? Among the most important reasons that cause diarrhea in children are:
- **disease (gastroenteritis)**
Gastroenteritis is an infectious virus that causes diarrhea and abdominal pain. Various viruses are transmitted to other people in contact with an infected person or when an infected person prepares food for others. For example, infection with a virus called rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrhea in children. - **food poisoning**
Food poisoning (eating food contaminated with microbes) also causes diarrhea. Food poisoning is usually caused by bacteria. Toxins produced by bacteria can cause food poisoning. Another group of microbes called parasites can also cause food poisoning. - **contaminated water**
Water contaminated with bacteria or other germs is another major cause of diarrhea, which mostly happens in countries with poor sanitation. Other non-infectious cases such as intestinal inflammation (colitis), food intolerance and various intestinal disorders are other cases that can cause diarrhea in children. Diagnosis of diarrhea in children and infants
In most children, diarrhea is usually mild and resolves within a few days without treatment by drinking plenty of fluids. And it doesn't need to be tested, but in some situations, the child needs to be tested, these conditions are:
- You have recently traveled abroad. - The child has been in contact with someone with similar symptoms. - The child has recently taken antibiotics. - The child has been hospitalized recently. These conditions may be the possible cause of diarrhea in children. Usually, the child is checked for lack of fluids, and their temperature and heart rate may also be checked. When should we see a doctor for a child's diarrhea? As mentioned earlier, most children with diarrhea have mild symptoms that get better within a few days. The important thing is to make sure that the child drinks enough fluids. In some cases, there is no need to see a doctor. However, people in the following cases (or if there are other symptoms that are worrying) should see a doctor:
- If the child is under 6 months. - If the child has an underlying disease (for example, heart or kidney problems, diabetes, history of premature birth)
- If the child has a fever. - If you suspect a lack of fluids in the child's body. - If the child seems sleepy or confused. - If there is blood in their diarrhea or vomit. - If the child has severe abdominal pain
- If the child has severe symptoms or you feel that his condition has worsened. - If the child's symptoms do not resolve after some time (for example, vomiting for more than 1-2 days or diarrhea that does not resolve after 3-4 days)
Rapid treatment of children's diarrhea
In general, there are two approaches to quickly treat diarrhea, which is done naturally at home and with medication. ### Home treatment of children's diarrhea
In case of mild diarrhea in children, some home and natural methods can be used to help relieve their diarrhea. Among the methods to quickly treat children's diarrhea at home, the following can be mentioned:
#### fluid intake
The first step in the quick treatment of diarrhea in children is to replace the lost fluids in the body, and this is done by giving the child plenty of fluids. Breastfeeding is sufficient for infants, but for older children, giving natural fruit juice and watery soups containing nutrients is very useful. #### Appropriate nutrition for children's diarrhea
In children with diarrhea, it is usually recommended to follow the BRAT diet, which consists of eating 4 types of light food:
- Banana
- rice
- Apple juice
- Toast
In addition, foods that help treat diarrhea in children may also include the following:
- Grilled meat, chicken and fish
- Fresh fruits
- Cooked vegetables such as carrots, green beans, mushrooms and zucchini
- Grilled potatoes
- Whole grains
- Pasta
- Dairy products containing probiotics (if the child does not have lactose intolerance)
It is also recommended to avoid giving your child any of the following foods and drinks:
- Spicy foods
- Fried foods
- Foods rich in fat
- Processed foods and fast foods
- Foods and drinks containing high sugar
- Vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and corn that contain fiber or can cause gas. It is recommended to eat small and frequent meals throughout the day. Returning to a child's normal diet is usually done gradually after diarrhea is treated. Children's diarrhea medicine
Among the most important drugs that are prescribed for the rapid treatment of children's diarrhea are:
#### oral rehydration solution
Your doctor may recommend oral rehydration solution (ORS) to prevent dehydration. Rehydration solutions are sachets containing powders that dissolve in water and are used to replace solutes, glucose and other important minerals that the body loses due to diarrhea. #### Antidiarrheal medicines for children
Antidiarrheal medications such as loperamide can slow bowel movements until water is absorbed from the stool, making the stool firmer and reducing diarrhea. Also, drugs containing kaolin and pectin can help treat diarrhea, because these substances absorb water from the stool and make it more cohesive. #### Antiparasitic drugs for diarrhea
Since parasites are the main cause of most diarrhea in children, antiparasitic medications can be effective. Medicines such as metronidazole and nitazoxanide are useful for killing parasites that infect the intestines and cause diarrhea. #### Antibiotics for diarrhea
Antibiotics may help treat diarrhea caused by a bacterial infection, but they won't help if the diarrhea is caused by a virus. Note that anti-diarrheal medicines for children must be prescribed by a doctor, so avoid giving your child medicine arbitrarily. Diarrhea prevention methods in children and infants
Observing the prevention of diarrhea in children is very helpful to reduce the incidence and severity of diarrhea. Below are some ways to prevent diarrhea in children:
\+ Hand washing: One of the important ways to prevent diarrhea is regular and correct hand washing. Teach your children that they should wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before every meal, after using the toilet and after contact with contaminated materials. Food hygiene: Make sure your children's food is prepared and stored properly. Using fresh ingredients, washing fruits and vegetables, proper cooking and keeping at the right temperature prevent the transmission of infections. \+ Natural breastfeeding for babies: Breast milk is the best nutrition for babies. Breast milk contains nutrients and disinfectants that can prevent diarrhea in babies and children. Vaccination: Complete vaccination program for children is one of the most important ways to prevent diarrhea. Vaccines such as rotavirus vaccine and colic vaccine can be effective in reducing the severity of diarrhea and contracting it. \+ Water and environmental hygiene: use clean and safe drinking water. Make sure the water sources your children use are properly disinfected and treated. Also, environmental hygiene is important, so clean surfaces and equipment used by children regularly. \+ Correct use of antibiotics: Improper and unreasonable use of antibiotics can lead to the proliferation of resistant bacteria in children's bodies and increase the possibility of infectious diarrhea. Therefore, the prescription and use of antibiotics should be done only with the recommendation of a pediatrician. \+ Cleanliness and care in the child's environment: As mentioned, to reduce the transmission of infections in the child's environment, you should pay more attention to the cleanliness and careful care of diapers, toys, surfaces and equipment used by children. Use disinfection of surfaces and toys and take care of children's personal hygiene. \+ Avoid contact with people with diarrhea: If a family member or people close to your child has diarrhea, you should avoid direct contact with them and intensify your hygiene measures. \+ Care in public environments: Pay attention to hygiene and cleanliness in public places such as kindergartens, schools and parks. Ensure that public areas accessible to children are cleaned and disinfected as much as possible.
Prevention of transmission of diarrhea
Diarrheal infections are easily transmitted from person to person. Therefore, you and your child should take steps to try to reduce this possibility. If your child has diarrhea, be especially careful to wash your hands after changing diapers and before preparing, serving, or eating food. Ideally, use liquid soap in warm water. Dry hands properly after washing. For older children, while they have diarrhea, the following is recommended:
- Clean used toilets regularly with disinfectants. Also, clean the toilet, toilet seat, faucets, bathroom surface and door handles at least daily with warm water and detergent. Clean disposable cloths should be used. - Make sure your child washes his hands after going to the toilet. - If his clothes or bedding are contaminated, first remove the feces in the toilet. Then wash separately and at the highest possible temperature. - Don't let the child share towels and cloths with other family members. - Do not let them help in preparing food for others. Children should stay away from school, daycare, etc. for at least 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhea or illness (vomiting). Sometimes this time may be increased with certain infections. If you are not sure about this, consult your doctor.
