Diarrhoea in children

Diarrhoea is the most common disease in children. It is the 3rd leading cause of Child mortality in India. It is the manifestation of bowel infection, characterised by loose and watery stool mixed with undigested food particles. Sometimes it may last for more than 2 weeks and take a chronic form. 

Why does diarrhoea happen?

Since children tend to put everything into their mouth or touch various surfaces and eventually put their hands into the mouth, it is very natural for them to get infected with various Bacterias and Viruses. Sometimes uncleaned food like fruits and vegetables can become a potential source of getting infected.

  • Rotavirus is the commonest cause of diarrhoea in children
  • Food poisoning due to various pathogens
  • Water contaminated by germ and bacteria
  • Inflammation of gut
  • Food intolerance
  • Medicines like Laxatives and few Antibiotics also lead to diarrhoea.
  • Irritable bowel disease (IBS), Crohn’s disease (CD), Celiac diseases, Ulcerative colitis, certain allergies also cause diarrhoea.

What are the symptoms?

  • Watery stool usually <3-4 times a day
  • Abdominal crampy pain with irritability
  • Blood and mucous in the stool due to infection
  • Vomiting and diarrhoea may cause the dehydration
  • Mild fever
  • Aching/ cramps in limbs
  • Aching/ cramps in limbs
  • Low urine output
  • Sunken eyes
  • Dry mouth and tongue
  • Dull, drowsy, weak
  • Headache
  • Low interest to take anything any food or drink

Do any lab tests are to be done?

In mild cases, noting is required. If there are a significant severity and excessive loss of bodily fluid or the diarrhoea is not getting controlled in-spite of conventional medications, few tests need to be undertaken. The doctor may order the routine stool test to identify the specific cause of diarrhoea. And may order few blood tests as well.

When to consult a doctor?

Consult a doctor if you see any of the following conditions:

  • The child is becoming weak and drowsy.
  • Presence of blood in the stools
  • There is associated vomiting of altered colour (green/dark yellow)
  • Has fever over 100° F.
  • The symptoms persist for more than 3days
  • Looks excessively dehydrated with poor or no urine output
  • The diarrhoea is recurrent or chronic.
  • Chid presents with a rash across the body
  • The child continuously complaints of abdominal pain.

What is the role of Homeopathy?

Homoeopathic medicines are proven to be effective in cases of diarrhoea. It’s safe and provides long term relief. However, for severe acute cases, one should seek nearby available medical facilities, especially if it requires institutional care. But for recurrent diarrhoeal diseases especially where the conventional therapy fails or have potential side-effects, a well selected homoeopathic medicine proves to be the best.

As all the kids are not the same, their presentation of diarrhoeal diseases is also not the same. The symptomatology varies from one to another. The basis of the selection of medicines in Homoeopathy is based on the presenting symptomatology of the child. Homoeopathic medicines are safe for consumption by little children and do not have any chemical side-effects.

Some homoeopathic medicines which may be useful in diarrhoeal diseases of children are Aloe Soc, Argentum Nitricum, Podophyllum, Aethusa C, Nux vomica, Arsenicum Album, Chamomilla, Chinchona etc.

Kindly note, we do not encourage patients to experiment with homoeopathic medications. Self-prescription can prove harmful, and parents are not advised to self-prescribe any of the Homeopathic medicines without consulting an appropriately qualified doctor from a recognized university.

Let our team of Let’s homoeopathy help you fight this disease.

So, do not hesitate and waste more time! Get a consultation with a qualified and experienced Homeopath today from the comfort of your home through Let’s Homeopathy. We will deliver the medicines to your doorstep too!