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Home Cures for Children's Diarrhea

By: Bakhru

Diarrhoea for prolonged periods can lead to certain definite complications. Among these, dehydration poses a serious problem, especially when disease is accompanied by vomiting. It can even be fatal if not treated early. Dehydration is characterised by hot, dry skin over the abdomen, sunken eyes, dry mouth, intense thirst and reduced flow of urine. This can usually be prevented if the child-patient is given plenty of liquids with electrolytes.

A simple diarrhoea, resulting from digestive disturbances, is severe. It can pass off with the removal of the cause. The child should be given the juice of an orange diluted with water on 50:50 basis for a day. This will help in improving the condition. Correct dietary method will prevent further occurrences of the trouble.

In case of infective diarrhoea, the child should rest in bed. He should be given warm-water enema daily, for the first two or three days of the treatment to cleanse the toxins in his bowels. It will expel gas and check diarrhoea by decreasing rectal tenesmus. He should be given orange juice and water for a few days. Milk and solid foods should be avoided at all costs. As soon as the condition improves, the child may be put on an exclusive diet of fresh fruits for two or three days. Thereafter, he may be allowed to gradually embark upon a regular, well-balanced natural diet, according to his age, with emphasis on milk, fruit juices, fresh fruits and steamed vegetables.

Certain home remedies have been found effective in curing diarrhoea. These include carrot soup, pomegranate and the butter milk. Carrot soup supplies water to combat dehydration, replenishes sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium sulphur and magnesium. It also supplies pectin and coats the intestine to allay inflammation. It also checks the growth of harmful intestinal bacteria and prevents vomiting. Half a kg. of carrots may be cooked in 250 ml. of water until it is soft. The pulp should be strained and boiled water added to make a litre. Three-quarter tablespoon of salt may be mixed. This soup should be given in small amounts to the patient every half an hour.
Pomegranate has proved useful in controlling diarrhoea, on account of its astringent properties. It is especially beneficial in case of weakness due to profuse and continues purging. The patient should be given about 50 ml. of pomegranate juice to drink at frequent intervals.

The use of buttermilk is also found beneficial in the treatment of diarrhoea. It helps overcome intestinal flora and reestablish the bening or friendly flora. The acid in the butter milk also fights germs and bacteria. A cup of buttermilk mixed with a pinch of salt may be taken three or four times a day for controlling this disease.

The best water treatment for diarrhoea is the application of abdominal compress at 60 o F. It should be renewed every 15 to 20 minutes. A cold hip bath for 10 minutes will be beneficial for older children suffering from diarrhoea. For this bath, ordinary bath tub can be used. It should be filled with cold water ( 50 o to 65 o F), so as to cover the hips when the patient sits in it. In case of abdominal pain, hot fomentation for 15 minutes should be administered every two hours.

Diarrhoea for prolonged periods can lead to certain definite complications. Among these, dehydration poses a serious problem, especially when disease is accompanied by vomiting. It can even be fatal if not treated early. Dehydration is characterised by hot, dry skin over the abdomen, sunken eyes, dry mouth, intense thirst and reduced flow of urine. This can usually be prevented if the child-patient is given plenty of liquids with electrolytes.

Author's Sites: Health Articles and Herbal Home Remedies

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