Diarrhea is not an easy disease as some imagine, especially in kids. It is the second leading cause of death for children under five years of age, and it is also one of the main causes of malnutrition! But a large proportion of diarrheal diseases can be prevented with some simple precautions.

Diarrhea could be serious?

Diarrhea is a common problem that often lasts a day or two and goes away on its own. But if diarrhea lasts for several days, it may be a sign of a more serious problem because it leaves the body without the water and salts necessary to survive.

What should I do?

It became clear to us that the threat of diarrhea is the loss of the necessary fluids and salts, so the lost fluids must always be replaced to avoid this danger. In most cases, drinking water and fluids that you usually drink should be enough. Pharmacists at Al-Thiqa pharmacy can advise you about some products that help keep you & your kid well-hydrated such as

• Rehydration solution to replace lost fluids and salts.
• Zinc supplementation to reduce the duration of an episode of diarrhea.

But you’ll need to see your doctor if diarrhea persists, if you have blood in your stool, or if you notice any signs of dehydration.

Diarrhea in kids

Diet for a child who has diarrhea

In many cases, you can feed your child as usual. However, it is preferable to:

• Eats small meals throughout the day instead of 3 large meals.
• Eat some salty foods such as pastries and soup.

Also, changes in diet may help sometimes. Give your child foods such as:

• Grilled meat, whether it is beef, chicken, fish or turkey
• Bananas and fresh fruits
• Pasta or white rice
• Cereals such as cream of wheat, oatmeal and corn flakes
• Cooked vegetables such as carrots, green beans, beets, pumpkin and peeled zucchini
• Some sweets such as jelly, cakes or biscuits

However, it is best to remove the seeds and skins from these foods.

Foods to avoid

You should avoid certain drinks and foods such as

• Fried foods, fatty foods, processed or fast foods, pastries, cakes and sausages.
• Apple juice and fruit juices as they can soften stool.
• Limit or avoid milk and other dairy products if they cause gas and bloating or worsen diarrhea.
• Avoid fruits and vegetables that can cause gas, such as broccoli, peppers, beans, peas, berries, peaches, chickpeas, leafy greens and corn.
• Avoid caffeine and soft drinks at this time.

When do I go to the doctor?

You should see your child’s doctor if you notice any of these symptoms in your child:

• Much less activity than usual (not sitting at all or not looking around)
• Dry mouth
• Does not urinate for 6 hours
• Blood or mucus in stool
• Fever that does not go away
• Stomach pain