Diarrhea or diarrhea – repeated loose stools, usually caused by an acceleration of intestinal motility and the rapid passage of food, or a violation of the absorption of water in the large intestine or the secretion of large amounts of mucus.
Causes
Diarrhea in a child without fever is a serious problem that should not be underestimated. However, do not confuse diarrhea with a single liquid stool, which can occur when the child has taken unfamiliar food. Loose stools usually do not cause significant discomfort to children.
Consider the most common causes of diarrhea without fever in children.
According to their varieties and origin, the following types of diarrhea are distinguished: infectious, alimentary, dyspeptic, toxic, drug-induced and neurogenic.
Infectious diarrhea are usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection and are most often accompanied by fever.
Alimentary diarrhea can occur with a prolonged violation of the diet, a monotonous diet poor in vitamins, as well as in the event of an allergy to certain foods (strawberries, strawberries, eggs, nuts, etc.) or drugs (for example, iodine, sulfonamides, antibiotics, etc.).
Dyspeptic diarrhea can develop with secretory insufficiency of the gastrointestinal tract. This condition occurs when, due to various reasons, the stomach, pancreas, liver or intestines do not produce enough enzymes to break down and digest food.
Toxic diarrhea develop as a result of heavy metal poisoning (for example, mercury, arsenic) and other toxic substances – nicotine, ethyl alcohol. The cause of toxic diarrhea can also be the accumulation of endotoxins in the body, for example, in chronic uremia. This condition develops with the accumulation of urea in the body as a result of severe kidney damage (glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis and amyloidosis). Feces with uremia are fetid, the stomach is swollen, the tongue is coated with a coating, the smell of ammonia is felt from the mouth.
Medical diarrhea develops as a result of prolonged use of antibiotics, which disrupt the normal intestinal microflora and contribute to the development of dysbacteriosis.
neurogenic diarrhea caused by a violation of the nervous regulation of bowel function. This type of diarrhea can develop under the influence of negative emotions (anxiety, fear, excitement).
What to do and how to stop
With the development of diarrhea in children under 1 year of age, hospitalization is necessary, since the loss of a large amount of fluid can be life-threatening for the child.
Treatment of diarrhea in older children is primarily aimed at eliminating the cause that caused it. For example, taking enzymes with insufficient production by the stomach (pepsin), pancreas (pancreatin, panzinorm, festal, mezim, etc.).
With alimentary diarrhea and allergic reactions to foods or drugs, adsorbents are indicated, such as Enterosgel, activated carbon, Smecta, Neosmectin, Laktofiltrum, etc.
In case of dysbacteriosis, the appointment of bacterial preparations, bifikol, bifidumbacterin, etc. is recommended. General strengthening therapy in the form of a vitamin complex can also be prescribed. In case of digestive disorders, enzyme preparations festal, mezim forte, creon, etc. should be used.
Since the child loses a lot of fluid during diarrhea, it must be replenished with drinking saline solutions (regidron, glucosan, cycloglucosan).
In order to restore the work of the intestines as quickly as possible, the child must adhere to a diet. It is advisable to exclude dairy products, fried, fatty foods, sweets from the diet. Any food that is difficult to digest or irritates the intestinal mucosa is prohibited, for example, fresh fruits, vegetables, juices, convenience foods, fresh bread and pastries, sauces such as ketchup, mayonnaise. Rice water has a beneficial effect on bowel function, which must be added to the drinking regimen. It is necessary to adhere to liquid, gentle food from cereals (rice, buckwheat, oatmeal), baked apples, bananas. As the condition improves, you can add boiled vegetables, carrots, broccoli, low-fat soups, boiled fish. Useful jelly from various fruits, green tea.
Decoctions of medicinal plants – blueberries, currants, wild roses, dandelion and cinquefoil rhizomes, mint leaves, sage, chamomile flowers – have an anti-inflammatory and astringent effect.
Prevention
To prevent diarrhea in a child, it is necessary from childhood to teach him to the rules of personal hygiene, that is, wash his hands before eating and after going to the toilet and walking on the street. All products (vegetables, fruits) should be thoroughly washed in running water before use. Thermally process products (milk, eggs, meat, fish). Do not drink raw tap water, but only boiled water. Monitor your child’s diet. It should be varied with the content of vitamins and minerals. It is important to strengthen the body’s defenses, a sufficient number of times to be in the fresh air, to temper.