Diarrhea Home Remedies : How To Give Treatment To Kids
Home Remedies For Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a major stomach disorder which is characterized by very frequent defecation and watery stools. This can cause severe pain and cramps in the abdomen, loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea and exhaustion. In infants and children less than 3 years old, this can cause acute dehydration, which can be potentially life-threatening. Children suffering from diarrhea often suffer from a constant feeling of thirst due to the loss of water through stools from the body. This may cause the body temperature to rise as well. It is important to remember that diarrhea is the body’s natural defense mechanism at work to expel some toxic foreign material that might have entered the system. It is, therefore, the symptom of a problem and not a disease itself.
Though medical supervision is necessary to treat diarrhea in children, you may follow a few remedial measures at home as well. The most important aspect of treating diarrhea is to replenish the water content that is lost from the body. An easy way of doing this is to mix a tablespoon of sugar and a pinch of salt in a glass of purified water and feed this solution to the patient at regular intervals throughout the day. Commercially available Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) is of course also recommended for children suffering from diarrhea. Since the digestive system is in a very delicate condition when the child has diarrhea, it is advisable to feed him/her with liquid foods which are easier for the stomach to digest. Vegetable soups are a good option, as they not only supply the body with essential nutrients but also replenish some of the water lost in this condition. In case the infant still feeds on breast milk, the mother should discontinue breast-feeding for a day or two, as lactose intolerance may trigger diarrhea. Powdered cereals mixed in applesauce and mashed bananas may be substituted for milk during the phase when the symptoms of diarrhea are severe. Children who are a little older may also be administered a mixture of carrot and banana pulp, as these help bring down the frequency of defecation. They may also eat dry and unflavored breads and crackers. In order to restore the balance of water content in the body, the child should also be given a solution of half a teaspoon of honey or corn syrup in a glass of water to drink frequently. Feeding the child with gripe water is another popular remedy for diarrhea.
See Also