Family First Aid – Information On Diarrhea
March 15, 2009 by Alex
Filed under Detox Recipes
Every parent has had experience with a child who has been ill with diarrhea at one time. It’s very important for parents to know what to do when their child is struck with diarrhea from either a short-term illness such as vomiting due to a virus, something they ate, or other medication.
Disclaimer: Always remember to consult your physician for any serious health concerns and before taking any medical advice.
The frequent passage of very loose or water bowel movements is a symptom of an underlying disorder which may have been caused by stress, dietary indiscretion, flu, food poisoning, or any one of numerous other condtions. Although most episodes are minor and temporary, a prolonged bout of diarrhea can lead to dehydration and an upset in body chemistry that could be life-threatening, especially in children and the elderly.
You should call a doctor if diarrhea lasts for more than on day in a child under the age of two, or if it lasts two days in an older child or an adult.
Parents, do not let diarrhea go untreated or checked in children or the elderly, or even in yourself. Consult a doctor even sooner than 1 or 2 days, if the diarrhea worsens or is accompanied by other symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, or the appearance of blood, mucus or worms in the stool.
Herbalists often recommend blackberry root bark to treat diarrhea. Prepared tinctures are available in health food stores, or the bark can be boiled in water for 20 minutes and then strained and taken as a tea. Other herbal remedies include chamomile tea, raspberry leaf tea, and cayenne capsules. Ginger tea may alleviate accompanying abdominal cramps and nausea.
Do not give herbal treatments to toddlers or young children. It is always better to consult a doctor sooner rather than later to prevent very dangerous dehydration.
Consume plenty of water, mineral water, herbal teas, ginger ale, broth, or low-sugar sports beverages to replace lost fluids, salts, and minerals. Eat binding foods in the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. Then, add skinless baked potatoes, boiled or poached eggs, and other bland foods as the bowels return to normal. Avoid alcohol, which is dehydrating and can be irritating to the intestinal tract and citrus juices, salads, fruits, whole grains, and caffeine, which stimulate the bowel.
Families who are informed about basic health needs and treatment for minor disturbances such as occasional changes in the bowel, like diarrhea, can often avoid more serious health situations or diseases. Healthy recipes are simple to cook, and good health is worth extra knowledge and information.
Replacing fluids is one of the most important things to do when treating diarrhea. Calling a doctor is a must if diarrhea persists.
Healthy eating and drinking plenty of fluids can help the prevention of diarrhea. Be informed, and be well.
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