Children everywhere bring immense joy to everyone. It is natural for every parent to get worried and anxious when their child falls sick. Loose motions in kids are one of the most common ailments seen by pediatricians in their everyday practice. Loose motions or diarrhea as they call it in medical terms is frequent passage of loose and watery stool more than 3 times in a day, sometimes it can exceed even 8 to 10 times. There are many causes for loose motion in kids; it can be due to simply overeating, or perhaps due to food allergies and indigestion.
Many times together with frequent loose motions, the child complains of cramps in abdomen or continuous pain. Fever and vomiting are often associated with loose motions. Bloating and decreased food intake is common features when a child is suffering from diarrhea. Blood in stool though not so common may be present in some cases. Since body looses lot of water with loose motions make sure that your child consumes lots of water and fluids to replace the lost body fluid.
Loose motions in kids should not be neglected; parents should always remain alert and observe their child and seek medical help when their child has following symptoms: Signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, loss of skin elasticity, drowsiness and unresponsive, sunken eyes, cheeks and abdomen. Progressive decrease of urinary output, blood in stool or fever more than 102 degree F also needs urgent medical attention.
Home Remedies for Treating Loose Motions in Kids
Several home remedies can be effective in treating loose motions in kids. However any sign of severe loose motions need urgent medical attention.
To prevent dehydration give enough water and fluid to your child. Kids like fresh lemon juice. Squeeze few drops of lemon in boiled water and add sugar and salt. This natural electrolyte mixture (oral rehydration solution) helps to balance the electrolyte as well as fluid loss.
During loose motions it is advisable to give your child low fiber food. Avoid certain fruits such as prunes, peach, plums.
Bananas, rice broth and apple are ideal food for kids suffering from diarrhea. Let your child eat pomegranate seeds; sprinkle some salt as per taste. You can also try pomegranate juice prepared at home.
Since kids like apple, give peeled pieces of apple to the child. Apple and pomegranate are time tested home remedies for the treatment of diarrhea in children as well as adults.
Avoid dairy milk, and other milk products. Also avoid fatty foods, spicy and junk foods. Avoid whole grain bread and cereals for a day or two.
Butter milk, yogurt, etc are beneficial home remedies for loose motions in kids as well as in adults. Butter milk and yogurt contain good bacteria that help to establish a healthy intestinal flora and fight against bad germs.
Always give your child boiled water to prevent gastrointestinal infections.
Mixture of dates and honey is an effective treatment in the cure of loose motions in children.
Fresh curry leaves mixed in butter milk also helps to reduce frequency of loose motions.
Carrot soup is a simple home remedy and easy to prepare. Since carrot soup contains water it helps to combat dehydration and replenish the lost salts. The potassium, calcium, magnesium, and pectin present in carrots helps to coat the intestinal lining and reduce the inflammation.