Diarrhoea

Every mother in every part of the world is far too familiar with this dialogue. After all, kids are more prone to diarrhoea (and other stomach infections) than adults, because their immune systems aren’t fully developed. This is a huge concern for mothers.

What is diarrhoea?

One of the most common health complaints, diarrhoea can range from a mild, temporary condition, to a potentially life-threatening one.

Globally, 2bn diarrhoeal diseases occur each year 1.9mn children under the age of 5 years die from diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is caused due to digestive disorder in the gut and is characterized by passing abnormally loose or watery stools 3 or more times a day, with a significant increase in the amount of stool and their liquid consistency. Acute diarrhoea is diarrhoea that lasts a short time. It usually lasts about 1 or 2 days (a little longer, in some cases) and then goes away on its own. Diarrhoea lasting longer than a few days may be a symptom of a more serious problem that brings with it the risk of dehydration. Chronic diarrhoea – Diarrhoea that lasts at least 4 weeks – can be a symptom of a chronic disease. Consult your doctor in that case or if you notice high fever or blood in the stool.

Signs and symptoms of diarrhoea:

While the main symptom of diarrhoea is loose, watery stools 3 or more times a day, it can be detected by these accompanying symptoms as well:

• Urgent need to go to the toilet
• Abdominal pain/ cramps
• Change in colour of the stool
• Mucus, pus, blood, or fat in the stool
• Vomiting
• General weakness or tiredness in the body

What are the different types of diarrhoea?

Broadly, kids are affected by:

1. Viral diarrhoea

Sources of contamination are easy and plenty in public places like nurseries or creches, so kids can get infections easily. Usually viruses (like Norovirus, Adenovirus and others) are the main causes of acute diarrhoea and therefore of infantile gastroenteritis, but sometimes important bacteria are also involved (E. Coli, Salmonella). Rotavirus, on the other hand, is the most common cause for red or bloody diarrhoea and its symptoms are similar to other watery diarrhoea.

2. Diarrhoea due to antibiotics

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial diarrhoea. However, kids may react to certain antibiotics causing diarrhoea in kids and is reported in up to 20-25%* of cases. It may either lead to hospitalization or a sudden discontinuation of the antibiotic. In such a scenario, speak to your doctor about discontinuation or replacement of the said antibiotic.

What are the causes of diarrhoea in children?

Intestinal infections

Normally, the gut flora works as a defense against harmful bacteria or viruses that can cause infections. Sometimes, these infections can present themselves as bacterial or viral diarrhoea.

Food intolerance

Intolerances to lactose or artificial sweeteners, or poorly prepared food, can result in diarrhoea.

Reactions to drugs

Antibiotics - like antacids that contain magnesium - alter the balance of the gut flora. Such antibiotics can cause diarrhoea.

The lesser known causes of diarrhoea

Travel

Change in weather, diet or even places are known to have an impact on our digestive system/ body. Sometimes, this leads to travelers’ diarrhoea. When we travel, we barely think to give our body the time to adjust to this change, or even prepare for it. Our gut flora loses its natural balance as a result and the consequence is diarrhoea. It’s important to think about your kids in this regard whenever you make travel plans because changes in food, water or uncertain hygiene conditions can make your kid susceptible to tummy aches, stomach infections/ travelers’ diarrhoea.

Season change

There is a close link between weather conditions and physiological processes. Whenever our body is faced with variations in temperature, pressure or light, it needs to get used to that change. It is possible that this season change weakens your child’s immune system and makes him more vulnerable.

Diet

Gastrointestinal dysfunctions such as gastritis, colitis, pain, swelling and travelers’ diarrhoea have a lot to do with our regular diet. The right food helps control the good functioning of the gut flora. It’s best to have your kids habituated to take meals at well-defined times as that helps regularity. Also ensure that your child drinks up to 2 litres of water a day to stay well hydrated.

Antibiotics

Antibiotic drugs that are very useful in the treatment of many diseases can sometimes have secondary gastrointestinal effects in children. For this reason, during and after antibiotic treatment, it is advisable to buffer the negative effects on the good bacterial flora in the child’s gut.
So, bearing all this in mind, a regular intake of probiotic foods helps maintain the balance of good bacteria in your child’s gut.

What are the steps for prevention of diarrhoea?

It cannot be stressed enough how important basic hygiene is. Poor levels of hygiene and sanitation are an open invitation for several infections and diseases, and diarrhoea is one of them. However, with good practices very regularly early on, you can reduce episodes or chances of travelers’ diarrhoea.

Hand washing is one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of viruses and bacteria that can cause diarrhoea. You should wash your hands properly before and after meals, after using the toilet and after changing nappies.

Now some of this you may already know but it doesn’t hurt to reassert!

• Refrigerate foods that are more prone to spoilage
• Ensure that the meals are thoroughly cooked
• Avoid eating raw meat, fish and shellfish
• Never place cooked meat on surfaces where you have kept raw meat
• Always disinfect the kitchen especially kitchen tops, gas stoves and chopping boards before use
• Only breast milk, and nothing else for your infant for the first 6 months
• At 6 months, start with additional food
• Use clean, boiled water for drinking
• Keep flies away from food
• Dispose faeces properly

In case your child has diarrhoea, we recommended Enterogermina®, a pediatrician's No.1 choice of probiotics for diarrhoea and its symptoms in children.

Enterogermina® effectively manages diarrhoea in children and leaves them with happy, healthy tummies.

Frequently Asked Questions