The treatment of diarrhea in children may include the use of both traditional drugs and herbs. However, the main condition for effective therapy is a normal diet.
To prevent dehydration, children are most often prescribed preparations containing electrolytes. These include Litren, Pedialyt, Resol and others.
A fairly common medicine for diarrhea for children is Loperamide. It can be purchased without a prescription. This medicine is available for diarrhea in the form of a liquid (Imodium AD) or tablets. This medication should not be given to a child at a temperature of more than 38 degrees or when detected in blood stool. The drug is contraindicated in children under twelve years of age.
Another cure for diarrhea is Cachin Pectin. This drug is more commonly known as Kaopektat. The medicine is available at the pharmacy without a prescription. It has the ability to bind substances in the intestines with excess water. Thus, the stool becomes drier and harder. Moreover, with the apparent absence of diarrhea, the child loses the same amount of water as if he had not been treated at all. Against the background of preparations containing kaolin, the stool looks different, but the condition does not alleviate.
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) is also sold over the counter. This diarrhea medicine has the ability to attach to the bacteria or toxin that triggered diarrhea. Thus, the decontamination of a foreign substance occurs, as a result of which, it ceases to cause harm to the body. This medicine for diarrhea can change the color of feces - the stool may turn black. The medication is indicated for children over two years of age.
If diarrhea is triggered by a bacterial infection, as evidenced by laboratory tests, then antibiotics can help relieve the condition. The advisability of using these medicines is determined only by the doctor, taking into account the results of the studies.
In the treatment of diarrhea in a child, special importance is given to the diet. In this case, the main task is in no case to prevent dehydration.
In the acute period of diarrhea, it is necessary to ensure that the child receives enough fluid. He needs to drink more often. To avoid vomiting, do not give a lot of fluid at once.
Dairy products are not recommended for the entire period of treatment and for two weeks after it, since they irritate the intestines.
If diarrhea is in a newborn who is breast-feeding, experts do not recommend stopping lactation. Mother's milk does not provoke or exacerbate diarrhea. Very often, a diet that consists only of water and breast milk helps get rid of the condition.
As a rule, diarrhea is accompanied by an appetite disorder. Therefore, transparent broths, herbal teas or decoctions, diluted juices are recommended for the treatment period.
After recovery, the stomach and intestines should not be burdened. The baby's diet should contain simple, easily digestible foods. These include cereals, mashed potatoes, bananas, boiled vegetables.
For the first two days, proteins are not recommended. In the event of any disease, especially associated with the gastrointestinal tract, fats should be excluded. It should be noted that they are quite difficult to digest even in an adult, not to mention the upset children's intestines. Undigested fats significantly exacerbate intoxication.
Refined sugar should be excluded from the diet, especially if the child’s diarrhea is bacterial in nature. This is due to the increased activity of bacteria in the presence of sugar. In addition, it increases acidity, which greatly slows the elimination of diarrhea.