Causes of diarrhea in children
Diarrhea is one of the leading causes of death in children under 5 years old, mainly caused by bacteria or viruses.
Diarrhea is a fairly common condition in children; almost every child experiences it at least once. Prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and even death in children. Therefore, parents need to have the knowledge to effectively prevent this illness in their children.
Causes of diarrhea in children
Diarrhea in children can have many different causes, but most are due to viral infections, bacterial infections, parasitic infections, antibiotic use (which kills both beneficial and harmful bacteria in the gut), food allergies, etc.
Young children are at high risk of intestinal diseases, with diarrhea being the most common, due to their weak immune systems making them susceptible to bacterial and viral infections that cause intestinal infections.Diarrhea in children. Therefore, to raise young children safely and effectively, mothers should avoid the factors considered to be the main causes of diarrhea in children, such as:
ButPoor nutrition: Proper food and drink not only help children grow and develop healthily but also help prevent diarrhea. Therefore, diarrhea in children is often due to a diet low in fiber, insufficient intake of fruits and vegetables, and excessive consumption of seafood and fatty foods.
- Poor hygiene: While playtime helps children develop their brains, it's difficult to avoid them coming into contact with pathogens like bacteria and viruses that cling to their hands, feet, and bodies. If hygiene isn't properly maintained, children can easily become infected, leading to diarrhea.
Symptoms of diarrhea
Other unusual symptoms that make children susceptible to diarrhea include:
- The child has a stomach ache.
- Sweat was pouring down in beads.
- High fever, accompanied by thirst.
- Loose stools.
- Incontinence.
- Frequent bowel movements throughout the day.
If the above symptoms of diarrhea in children are not treated promptly, there is a high chance that the child will die from excessive dehydration, in addition to a high risk of intestinal infection.
Treating diarrhea in children
When children show symptoms of diarrhea, some home remedies should be applied as follows: immediately replenish fluids, give children plenty of water to compensate for lost fluids, and supplement their diet with green vegetables and fiber-rich foods to help soften and firm stools, preventing diarrhea.
In some severe cases due to excessive dehydration, children may receive intravenous fluids, electrolyte replacement, and pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications as directed by a doctor, appropriate for their age, in order to prevent dangerous side effects of the medication.