Overview
Diarrhea in kids without any cause will only last for 1-2 days, while with any serious underlying cause, it might stay for 5-7 days. It can only be diagnosed and determined by a healthcare provider or pharmacist. Causes can range from acute diarrhea, which is the underlying cause of bacterial and viral infections, to chronic diarrhea, which is the underlying cause of protein allergy or lactose intolerance. Usually, OTC medications including ORS solutions and probiotics, help in managing acute diarrhea. For serious causes like allergy or lactose intolerance, it’s important to get connected with a healthcare provider for diagnosis as well as prescription medications. Prescription medications like Pedialyte Solutions and Imodium are considered the best medicine for kids’ diarrhea and treat diarrhea effectively.
What causes diarrhea in kids?
Diarrhea is the passing of loose, watery stools for a number of reasons ranging from gastrointestinal discomfort to changes in diet and age as well. It can be acute as well as chronic, both emerging from a number of different reasons:
Acute diarrhea
Acute diarrhea is diarrhea that is caused due to infections and stays for a shorter period. The main cause of acute diarrhea is infections, including:
- Bacterial infections: Bacteria usually affect the intestines and cause an infection that leads to diarrhea more often. Some of the main causative agents are Salmonella, which leads to diarrhea in kids and needs antibiotics for effective treatment.
- Viral infections: Rotaviruses and noroviruses are the main causes leading to viral infections that attack children of preschool age where they mingle and get the virus easily
- Parasitic infections: Parasitic infections are less likely to happen due to parasites such as “giardia.”
Chronic diarrhea
Chronic diarrhea is the same as acute diarrhea except for its duration. It usually lasts longer than 7 days and can last several weeks, leaving the patient extremely dehydrated. Proper medical diagnosis and treatment are needed as soon as you notice the diarrhea being prolonged to a number of days.
Some of the common causes of chronic diarrhea include:
- Toddler’s diarrhea: Kid’s diarrhea is caused by changes in their diet. It can also be triggered when the mothers start the solids diet after the liquid one disappears. Kids react to diet changes that often result in long-term diarrhea. It can also be caused by eating citrus fruits, etc.
- Diarrhea due to or after an infection: Diarrhea can also be caused due to an infection caused by viruses or bacteria. It will stay in the body until the infection gets resolved and with the medications as well.
- Protein allergy can also be one of the most significant causes of chronic diarrhea due to cow’s milk. Some of the common symptoms are vomiting or an extremely gasy stomach right after milk consumption.
- Lactose intolerance can also cause chronic diarrhea, which can lead to diarrhea and pain in the stomach.
Some of the other causes of chronic diarrhea are:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Celiac disease
How to stop diarrhea in kids?
Diarrhea in kids can be stopped by maintaining enough hydration and offering bland foods (BRAT Diet: Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) that help with diarrhea treatment at home. If home remedies don’t work, it’s the right time to get a consultation for an accurate diagnosis and prescription medication.
- Medicines for moderate diarrhea
To treat moderate or acute diarrhea, the following medications are preferred :
- Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS)
- Zinc Supplements
- Probiotics
Your healthcare provider can only prescribe and determine them according to the kid’s age and weight.
- Medicine for severe diarrhea
First, the cause of severe diarrhea should be diagnosed for accurate treatment medications. Your healthcare provider will prescribe an accurate examination or diagnostic test to confirm the diarrhea’s main cause.
For different causes of diarrhea, different medications are used:
- Antibiotics (if bacterial infection is confirmed).
- Antiparasitic medications (for parasitic infections).
- Intravenous fluids (IV) are used for severe dehydration.
Which antidiarrheal should not be used with children?
Some of the antidiarrheal that should be avoided in children are:
- Loperamide can cause serious side effects in children, including respiratory depression, lethargy, and intestinal obstruction.
- Bismuth subsalicylate contains salicylates, which are chemically similar to aspirin. Use in children, especially those recovering from viral infections like the flu or chickenpox, can increase the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition that causes swelling in the liver and brain.
How long should diarrhea last in a child?
Usually the diarrhea should last for 5-7 days in adults or in children. It shouldn’t last more than that, along with the aid of medication. In case of its persistence, its good to get connected with a healthcare provider to discuss underlying causes of gastric upset.
In case of common diarrhea due to any change in diet, it should only last for 1-2 days and should go away on its own without any medical treatment. In case it stays, it indicates any underlying causes that are leading to prolonged diarrhea.
When should I be concerned about my child’s diarrhea?
When your child’s diarrhea lasts more than 1-2 days, it indicates an underlying cause and should be consulted. You can also connect with an online doctor for a consultation and prescription within minutes.
FAQs about kid’s diarrhea
If your child is comfortable drinking water, it’s the best option to avoid dehydration. If not, apple juice or Gatorade can also be considered one of the best options for kid’s diarrhea. Most kids like them.
When your child has diarrhea due to any cause, it’s good to avoid dairy products, fried or greasy foods, high-fiber foods, and spicy foods as they might trigger the GIT and lead to stomach disturbance.
