What is a good medicine for children's diarrhea?

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on December 29, 2024
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An increase in the frequency of bowel movements in children, accompanied by a change in stool characteristics, indicates diarrhea. When a child has diarrhea, the first step should be to test a stool routine to determine whether it is infectious diarrhea or non-infectious diarrhea. In cases of infectious diarrhea, antibiotics should be used under the guidance of a hospital doctor. If the diarrhea is caused by indigestion or rotavirus infection, symptomatic treatment is generally used. Firstly, feeding should continue. For children with watery stools, we should give them oral mucosal protectants, probiotics, and oral rehydration salts. For those with prolonged diarrhea, specifically diagnosed as caused by rotavirus infection, children should be supplemented with zinc for a period, as zinc can promote the repair of intestinal mucosal damage. This means that it can speed up the improvement of diarrhea, while also preventing the recurrence of diarrhea symptoms. (The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Can children with diarrhea drink yogurt?

Yogurt is made by fermenting pure milk and retains all the nutritional components of fresh milk. During the fermentation process, lactic acid bacteria can produce a variety of vitamins essential for human nutrition. Yogurt contains a large amount of lactic acid bacteria, which have the effect of resisting the production of harmful bacteria. Therefore, children with diarrhea can appropriately drink some yogurt. However, it is not recommended to drink it on an empty stomach. Additionally, if a baby has diarrhea, drinking chilled yogurt might aggravate their condition, so it is also not advised to consume large amounts of yogurt on an empty stomach.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Can children with diarrhea eat carrots?

Childhood diarrhea occurs due to disturbances in gastrointestinal function, leading to abnormal nutrient absorption and subsequently an increase in the frequency and changes in the nature of bowel movements. When children experience diarrhea, their diet should be adjusted to light, easily digestible liquid or semi-liquid food. It's also important to eat less food that is high in fiber, as rough fiber can promote intestinal peristalsis and may exacerbate the frequency of bowel movements. Carrots, being high in beta-carotene and plant fibers, also enhance gastrointestinal motility. Therefore, it is better for children with diarrhea to consume fewer carrots.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Can children with diarrhea drink milk?

When a child experiences diarrhea, it indicates an increase in the frequency of bowel movements and a change in the nature of the stools. The first principle of treating diarrhea is to continue feeding the child, so it is acceptable for children who drink cow's milk to continue doing so. However, if the diarrhea persists for a long time and the child develops lactose intolerance, it may be considered to switch to a diarrhea-specific formula, which is lactose-free, as this will be more beneficial for the child's recovery from diarrhea. Normally, it is possible to continue giving cow's milk, as the feeding must continue to ensure the child's adequate nutritional needs. Otherwise, fasting the child and providing nothing to eat, coupled with diarrhea, can quickly lead to dehydration, acidosis, and electrolyte imbalances.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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What medicine should a child take for indigestion and diarrhea?

For childhood indigestion and diarrhea, one can initially use intestinal probiotics to modulate the gut flora, such as Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus. Additionally, zinc supplementation can be provided to promote the repair of the gastrointestinal mucosa. Another option is to administer Smecta to protect the gastrointestinal mucosa. Digestive medications can also be given, such as Chinese medicinal herbs like hawthorn, Shenqu, and malt to aid digestion. Furthermore, it is important to ensure the diet consists of easily digestible foods.

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Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Which area is used for moxibustion to treat diarrhea in children?

For clinical pediatric diarrhea, moxibustion is mainly applied to the abdominal area. Moxa sticks can be used, starting with moxibustion at the Shenque point around the navel for 3 to 5 minutes. Then, moxibustion can be performed at the Tianshu points on both sides of the navel, which are on the abdomen, as well as the Guanyuan point on the lower abdomen and the Zhongwan point on the upper abdomen, achieving the purpose of astringing the intestines to stop diarrhea and relieve pain. In addition to moxibustion on the upper and lower abdomen and center of the navel, moxibustion can also be applied to some distal points on the limbs of children, such as the Zusanli and Shangjuxu points on the lower limbs, which can achieve a very good effect in stopping diarrhea.