What To Do About Diarrhea In Kids

Photo Credit:  EHow

Every now and then, kids and adults suffer from loose bowel movement or commonly known as diarrhea.  It may be caused by something we ate or a result of a medical condition.  Adults have several ways of coping with the situation. Most would be taking medications and some would just let it pass, depending on the severity.  As for kids, especially in the younger years, it maybe difficult to administer medications without our doctor's advise.  They even have different reactions to it.

As a mom, we make sure that we give our kids the best care they need.  This goes the same with any medications and treatments.  However, we do need to think and stay calm before rushing to the emergency room for that diarrhea.

Here's a basic rundown of the causes of diarrhea in kids.

What is Diarrhea?

First, let's define it and make sure it is what we are looking at. Diarrhea, as defined by WebMD.com, si described as bowel movements that are loose and watery.  People commonly have diarrhea atleast once or twice each year and typically lasts two to three days.  

Common Causes of Diarrhea in Children:

Infections by bacteria

·         The most common type of food poisoning

Eating food that upset the digestive system

·         The body reacts differently on foods we eat

Allergies to certain foods

Virus that infects the guts

·         commonly known as stomach flu or intestinal flu

Other causes will not be mentioned since we are focusing on the basic diarrhea.  Any other causes have resulted to chronic diarrhea or irritable bowel movements.  You can read more about it at WebMD. 

What To Do in Case of Diarrhea:

We don't want to rush over to the emergency room.  I listed down a few things to do before that dreaded hospital visit.

·         You need to remember their food intake for the past 24 hours.  Possible that it was a reaction.

·         Monitor the frequency of the movement.  Is it just every after meal or it occurs even without food or water intake?

·         Was the stool thin or loose? Is it watery?

·         Does the kid suffers from abdominal pain or cramps?

These are symptoms of uncomplicated diarrhea.  Other symptoms may be a sign of a more serious illness. 

Treatments for Diarrhea in Kids

These treatments are for uncomplicated diarrhea.  If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

·         Keep them hydrated.  Let them drink plenty of water, atleast six 8-ounce glasses per day.  I personally use Gatorade as it is easier to administer and acceptable for kids than hydrate salts you can buy at the pharmacy.

·         You can buy over the counter medications to relieve diarrhea.  Just make sure to follow the instructions on the package.

·         Letting them eat fruits such as apples, and the variety of banana that makes the poop harder will also help.

After two to three days, the symptoms should subside and your kids would be back to normal.  However, if the diarrhea persists, seek your doctor's advise.  It maybe caused by a more serious illness.

This article is for informational purposes only.  Seek professional medical help.