8 What to do if children vomit or have diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common problem for infants and young children. Some may not only have diarrhea but also vomiting. Therefore, it is necessary to first know the cause of the diarrhea, which includes gastrointestinal inflammation and gastrointestinal dysbiosis. It is also necessary to pay attention to the child's diet and lifestyle. The child should drink more water because diarrhea can easily lead to dehydration.

What causes vomiting and diarrhea in babies?

Diarrhea is a common and frequently occurring disease among infants and young children. The disease occurs most frequently in summer and autumn. Currently, the causes of diarrhea in infants and young children can be divided into two categories: infectious and non-infectious. The former can be caused by infections of bacteria, viruses, molds, and parasites, while the latter is mainly caused by dietary and climatic factors. Among diarrhea caused by infectious factors, bacterial and viral infections are the most common.

(1) Bacterial diarrhea: The incidence of bacterial diarrhea is highest in summer and autumn. Young children may become ill if they eat unclean food and drink unclean beverages. In addition, long-term use of large amounts of antibiotics leading to dysbacteriosis can also cause bacterial diarrhea. The key to bacterial diarrhea is prevention. We must keep in mind that “diseases enter the body through the mouth”. Do not give children food or drinks that have been left in the refrigerator for too long, and remember to wash hands before and after meals. Avoid long-term use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

(2) Viral diarrhea: It often occurs in autumn and is also called "autumn diarrhea." It can be infected by the digestive tract and respiratory tract. The onset is rapid, with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection such as cough, runny nose, and tears. Young children often have fever, with body temperature reaching 39 to 40 degrees Celsius. On the day of onset, watery or egg-drop-like stools may be discharged, often containing mucus and without a fishy odor. The use of antibiotics is ineffective.

(3) Diarrhea caused by improper diet is usually not seasonal. Since infants and young children have immature digestive systems and low digestive capacity, they are prone to diarrhea if they are not fed properly. If the food lacks protein but is high in carbohydrates, it can easily cause intestinal fermentation and lead to diarrhea. Eating too much, too little, or irregular feeding can cause digestive tract dysfunction and lead to diarrhea. Do not use antibiotics for diarrhea caused by dietary factors. As long as the proportion and amount of food are properly adjusted and inappropriate foods are stopped, most children can recover on their own.

(4) Diarrhea caused by climatic factors. Sudden changes in climate can cause the abdomen to get cold and increase in intestinal motility, which can lead to diarrhea. This type of diarrhea has obvious climatic factors. Therefore, we must pay attention to keeping children warm in winter. In summer, more water evaporates from children's bodies, so they must be replenished with enough water in time.

It can be seen that there are many causes of diarrhea in young children, and we must take more precautions. Diet should be strictly controlled during acute diarrhea. To prevent dehydration, drink more water, such as light salt water, sugar water or light tea. The diet can start with light, low-fat liquids, such as rice soup, thin lotus root powder, filtered fruit juice, vegetable water, egg white soup, almond juice, carrot soup, etc., 6 to 8 times a day.