The child has a stomach ache and diarrhea: reasons, how to treat

Most young children often have digestive difficulties. The child has malaise, indigestion. A small person cannot always explain, show what worries him, where his stomach hurts.

The article highlights the main causes of abdominal pain in a baby, gives advice and recommendations to parents.

Why does a child have a stomach ache

The appearance of discomfort in the abdomen indicates a malfunction in the digestive system. The pain in the abdominal cavity is acute, aching, spasmodic, the patient may feel a burning sensation, heartburn, intense pain in the navel.

By the nature and localization of pain, they speak of a disease associated with the digestive system.

The abdominal cavity consists of the intestines, stomach, spleen, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and kidneys.

Pain, cramps in the abdomen occur due to disruption in the work of the digestive tract.

If the pain is accompanied by diarrhea, parents should show the baby to the pediatrician. The doctor will identify the exact cause, determine how to treat the child.

Diarrhea in children under one year old

From birth to one year, the baby's stool changes. In infants, at birth, the feces are dark, then yellow, closer to the year of mustard color. The baby's stool is not formed, but this is not diarrhea. If the color of the stool is green, mucus, blood spots appear, the parents should show the child to the doctor. Diarrhea can be at 10 months, and at 4 years. Causes of loose stools:

• Colic. After birth, the baby begins to adapt to the world around him. For the first three months, the stomach is disturbed due to colic. The mother of a month-old baby may notice increased gas formation, bloating, boiling in the tummy. The kid is restless, capricious, pulls his legs to his stomach when he lies. Loose stools (yellow or mustard-colored) may appear. An attack of colic should go away in 20-30 minutes. You can help the baby by gently massaging the tummy and applying a warm towel to the belly. If the baby is breastfed, the mother should review her own menu.
• In a six-month-old baby, teething may be the cause of diarrhea. Loose stools without abdominal pain.
• Dysbacteriosis. Small children aged 1-2 years suffer from dysbiosis. In the intestine, there is a violation of the microflora, insufficient enzymatic activity. The baby has diarrhea, feces with mucus with the smell of rotten eggs. To confirm the diagnosis, parents must pass an analysis of the baby's feces - a coprogram. Based on the results, the pediatrician prescribes treatment. Prescribed drugs that strengthen the stool (Smecta), probiotics (Biogaya, Normobakt, Enterojermina) to restore the microflora of the stomach.
• Food poisoning. If the baby is artificially fed or complementary foods are introduced, the cause of diarrhea is poor-quality mixtures, complementary foods. The child's stool is fetid, smells like spoiled eggs. It is important to determine exactly which product became the source of loose stools and exclude it from the children's menu. Sorbents are used to cleanse the body.
• Bowel obstruction. Periodic acute pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea are noted, blood clots are visible in the feces. A seal is felt in the tummy. To confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to show the patient to the surgeon, indicate the symptom.

Remember! Strong diarrhea in children requires surgical treatment. Large fluid loss quickly leads to dehydration. To remove the symptom, it is necessary to find out the cause. Treatment is prescribed exclusively by a qualified specialist, self-medication is prohibited.

Causes of diarrhea in children over a year old

The kid explores the world in an accessible way - he tastes the surrounding objects: new food, toys, sand, etc. Parents should watch what the child pulls into the mouth. The causes of diarrhea are:

• Intestinal infections. Disease-causing microorganisms that cause stomach upset enter through dirty fruits, water. Pathogens of viral origin enter the body by airborne droplets upon contact with a patient. With an infection, the child has severe pain in the abdomen, cough, runny nose, loose stools with a sour odor, nausea, the baby is vomiting, high fever. They are treated with antibiotics.
• Improper nutrition. Fatty foods, unripe fruits, vegetables, excessive overeating provoke flatulence, diarrhea, abdominal cramps. Adjust the menu. Avoid overeating.
• Diseases pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), gastroenteritis (inflammation of the mucous membrane small intestine), appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix of the cecum) are the causes of frequent loose stools with a strong pungent odor, vomiting, temperature.
• Helminthic invasion. Parasites in the body provoke pain in the navel, after eating diarrhea, vomiting are observed.
• Psychoemotional disorders. Negative emotions, fear, constant stressful situations.
• Allergic reaction of the body to food additives, components that are part of drugs.

In young children, the digestive system is not fully formed, therefore, it is more susceptible to diseases.

For proper treatment and quick recovery of the child, an examination by a doctor is required. Don't ignore loose stools!

How to help a child with diarrhea

Before going to the doctor, the arrival of an ambulance, parents should be able to provide first aid to the child, to alleviate the condition, to know what is strictly forbidden to do.

Help Tips:

• The kid must comply with bed rest. With diarrhea, the state of health worsens, the body is weakened, dizziness is possible.
• Parents have a responsibility to provide a positive emotional environment in the home. Anxiety and stress provoke nausea, vomiting, loose stools.
• Offer room temperature water frequently. Stay hydrated. Even an eight-month-old baby can experience rapid fluid loss. It is acceptable to use rehydration solutions. At home, making a solution is easy by simply adding mute salt to the water. It retains fluid in the body.
• To remove toxic, harmful compounds from the body in case of intestinal infection, poisoning, give funds with an adsorbing effect (Enterosgel, Polysorb, Activated carbon).
• If the child is hot, red throat, antipyretic drugs (Ibufen, Paracetamol) are given, rinse the mouth with chamomile infusion. If diarrhea is without fever, just keep track of the number of trips to the toilet.
• During an illness, it is recommended to follow a dietary menu so as not to burden a weakened stomach. You do not need to eat the entire serving. There is a lack of appetite after diarrhea.
• You can record how much the baby poops, note the consistency of feces, what smell, no smell, the temperature that the child ate during the day, what drugs were given, in order to tell the doctor exactly for anamnesis.

With diarrhea without a doctor, it is prohibited:

• Give drugs with anesthetic effect on your own, start medication treatment.
• Press on the stomach, massage.
• Put warm compresses on your stomach.
• Use antibiotics without prescription.

If loose stools are observed for the third day, it does not stop, urgently seek medical help. Diarrhea is not a disease, but a symptom. In young children, loose stools are possible without diarrhea.

A sick baby should always be under the supervision of parents! Mom and Dad are responsible for the baby's health.

Treatment of diarrhea in children

After a medical examination, the pediatrician prescribes treatment according to the diagnosis and age. Medicines are selected individually, taking into account the weight, age of the baby, the cause of the disease, individual drug intolerance, the condition of the baby.

Usually sorbents (Polysorb, Enterosgel), probiotics (Lactobacterin, Bifiform, Bifidumbacterin), strengthening drugs, pain relievers, antiemetic, if necessary vitamins.

If diarrhea is caused by infections (rotavirus, dysentery, salmonellosis), antibiotics are prescribed. In case of rotavirus, dysentery, hospitalization and treatment in a hospital under the supervision of medical workers is recommended.

The necessary drugs, dosage and how long the course of treatment lasts, is determined by the doctor.

Folk ways to combat diarrhea

There are popular methods that help in the fight against diarrhea in children. Parents are able to independently prepare decoctions, herbal teas.

Rice broth. An effective remedy for stool recovery. Suitable for children. The recipe for the broth is simple: rinse a tablespoon of rice, soak in cold water for 20 minutes. Put 200 ml of water on the fire. Transfer the prepared rice to boiling water, cook over medium heat for 40 minutes. Strain, cool. Take a spoonful before meals. Helps every other day. The broth strengthens the stool, normalizes digestion, and is used for diarrhea.

Potato broth. The second method of alternative treatment - broth after boiling potatoes helps to stop diarrhea. Take 100 ml for children over 5 years old before meals. The starch contained in the broth envelops the walls of the gastric mucosa, prevents harmful compounds from penetrating into the bloodstream, and helps stop diarrhea in case of poisoning. Improves the digestion process. The course of treatment is 1 week.

Mint. Steam the washed peppermint leaves with boiling water. Cool down. Children can be taken as warm tea. Has a calming effect.

Traditional methods are effective, have a beneficial effect on health, all the ingredients for the preparation of the medicinal product are natural. Consult your doctor before use. If the measures taken do not help, the diarrhea does not go away, contact an ambulance. With rotavirus infection, hospitalization is required.

Preventive measures

It is often possible to avoid the disease if you adhere to simple rules and precautions:

• Wash your hands before eating, after public places, walking.
• Follow the rules of hygiene: clean dishes, well-washed fruits and vegetables will help to avoid stomach problems.
• Avoid contact of a sick person with a child (if an adult has a viral infection, diarrhea).
• Keep track of the baby's proper nutrition, the menu should be selected according to age.
• Choose quality food items, always check the expiration date.
• Maintain order in your home: ventilate the room several times a day, carry out wet cleaning.
• Keep medicines and household chemicals out of the reach of children.
• To strengthen general immunity, walk more often in the fresh air with your baby.

Monitor your baby's health!