The main symptoms of dehydration due to diarrhea are feeling weak, thirsty, less urine volume, having a dry mouth or crying without tears.
During the months of summer the number of people suffering diarrhea increase.
And it is that the heat of these dates is the best breeding ground for the microorganisms that cause this unpleasant physiological response.
Furthermore, the combination of diarrhea and high temperatures can cause one of more serious consequences and common causes of decomposition: dehydration.
For prevent this fluid loss It is essential to stop as soon as possible, especially in the case of children. Therefore, the first thing is to know what do we call diarrhea.
As explained by the Dr. Raquel Fernandezspecialist in Pediatrics at Hospital Quirónsalud Bizkaia:
- “We talk about diarrhea when stools are soft or liquid, more abundant and more frequent than usual. This diarrhea may be accompanied by abdominal pain, fever and/or vomiting“
The pediatrician adds that among the causes The most common causes of diarrhea in children are the viral infectionsalthough they can also be caused by bacteria, parasites or other causes.
Regarding how long this situation lasts, the doctor points out that it will depend on the cause and the child, but that, usually lasts a few days.
signs of dehydration
In general, the diarrhea is not serious and, as we have seen, it subsides in a short time. But if the stools are very abundant, very liquid and frequent, dehydration can occur.
To detect in time and be able to act, the specialist points out that:
- “Observing is essential. When we notice that they are downare very thirsty, urinate less, have a dry mouth, they cry without tears Or do they have sunken eyes? It is a sign that they are dehydrated.“.
So, Dr. Fernández, points out 4 signs that indicate the need to take the child to a doctor to avoid dehydration:
- If you vomit repeatedlyeverything he eats, whether liquid or solid, he vomits it, or drinks very little.
- If you have signs of dehydration: little urine, no tears, dry mouth.
- If you are very down or in poor general condition.
- If you are excessively thirsty.
No isotonic drinks, no juices
Once determined that the child is dehydrated, the pediatrician will determine the treatment, which is none other than replenish fluids and electrolytes lost in the feces (rehydration) and maintaining adequate nutrition.
And for rehydrationliquids should be offered to children frequently, especially after each bowel movement.
- “In mild cases you can drink water Frequently, let him drink what he wants. In more intense caseswith abundant liquid stools, the oral rehydration solutions what we know as pharmacy oral serum“, explains Dr. Fernández.
Water and oral serum, nothing else. Because as they emphasize from the Pediatric service that neither the sodas, nor the juices, nor the drinks isotonic are adequate to rehydrate the children.
Neither do homemade formulas to prepare sera, as alkaline lemonade.
In addition, pediatricians from Biscay point out that drugs are not recommended to stop diarrhea or antibiotics:
- “In case of fever, antipyretics can be taken. And, always under the supervision of a specialist, consider associating probiotics, since some shorten diarrhea,” says Raquel Fernández.
Food, can you eat?
And the food? Can we treat or stop the diarrhea by making the child not eat or eat less?
In this regard, specialists indicate that it is appropriate for the child to eat in case of diarrhea, that no need to fastalthough when they are in this state they usually have little appetite.
- “Can offer him the food that he toleratesalways without forcing, avoiding greasy foods or foods with a lot of sugar”, they point out from Quirónsalud Bizkaia.
Pediatricians add that no special diet is necessarynor restrict food too much.
Dr. Raquel Fernández explains that if the child vomits easily, oral serum can be started in small amounts every 5 minutes, gradually increasing the amount as tolerated. When he no longer vomits, start giving him some food, without forgetting the contribution of liquids.