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It is not uncommon for children to get caught in a bout of diarrhea Usually time takes care of the ailment and it goes away on its own within a day or two. Of course, with a bit of care at home.But if it is severe, it needs immediate attention. Diarrhea in children can take a bad turn all of a sudden. The treatment and management of diarrhea in children is more in the hands of family members, specially the mother than in the hands of the doctor.There are plenty of simple remedies that have to be administered at home.
List Of Home Remedies For Diarrhea In Children
Hydrate The Child
Replenishing the lost fluid is the first step that should be taken. Even if it is a mild case, when just one watery stool has been passed, looking after hydration is critical. Because it does not require passage of many stools for a child’s body to get dehydrated.Now let us see what are the best options for hydration. If you can immediately give an over the counter Oral Rehydration Salt(ORS) pouch, mixed with water, nothing like that. If not, then take a glass of water put a bit of salt and sugar and half a tsp of fresh lime juice, mix them well and give it to the child to sip.
University of Maryland Medicine recommends the use of only specifically formulated electrolyte fluids. It is not just that the water is lost, the other vital salts are also depleted.
Bland Diet
Almost all the doctors are going to suggest a bland diet. But the question remains what do we give the child to eat. The best diet for the child will be a liquid diet, till there are good and clear signs of control of diarrhea.It is recommended that brown rice, or any other unpolished rice should be cooked. Put plenty of water as you are going to overcook the rice. Once cooked strain the thick liquid. This rice water should be the diet of your child for the first one or two days. Salt and pepper can be put but in moderation. You can give it with yogurt.
Curd Or Yogurt
Milk is not the right food, but curd or yogurt is. The lactobacillus bacteria responsible for converting milk into curd has all the weaponry to combat diarrhea. Curd is specifically useful, if the cause of diarrhea is food poisoning. It is a simple method of curing diarrhea.We can say that diarrhea can be brought to control just with the right diet, unless it is a severe case of diarrhea. Sometimes diarrhea is the result of use of antibiotics given by the doctors to cure some other ailment. The antibiotics can kill some friendly bacteria, and the result could be diarrhea.
In such cases also, yogurt can help restore the friendly bacteria thus be a cure for that diarrhea too, by restoring the natural configuration and balance of the bacteria in the gut of your child.
Foods To Avoid
Digestive system of your child becomes very sensitive with the onset of diarrhea, hence can not digest most of the food items. Children become completely intolerant of all the dairy products other than yogurt. Keep the child away from milk, cheese, and the other day to day food, most of which is heavy to digest.
Chamomile Tea
Intestinal inflammation treatment by consuming chamomile tea has been found to be effective. It is considered safe for children as well. Drinking three cups of this tea in a day helps deal with diarrhea.You may either use fresh flowers or buy chamomile tea bags. Steep one tsp of flowers or one teabag in a cup of boiling hot water. It will do good to put 4 to 5 peppermint or mint leaves. Let it be there for 15 minutes. Strain and give it to the child.
Soup Of Blueberry Root
It is a folk remedy of Sweden It is prescribed as a home remedy by the treating doctors as well. They have many properties that help in treating diarrhea. The first is antioxidant rich anthocyanosides. Anthocynosides are antibacterial. Blueberry root has tannin which can fight diarrhea.
Give Rest
Your child should be given rest. To fight this illness the body needs to optimize the use of energy.
Fomentation Of Belly
It is a good idea to put a hot fomentation bottle or a heating pad on the stomach of the child. But please check the temperature. It should be warm enough, otherwise will not be effective. Also see if it is too hot, wrap it in a towel en use it. It will look after the stomachs cramps, if there are any, otherwise also, it will be soothing.
Prevention
Guide the child to take care personal hygiene. Let them avoid eating from outside.
