DIARRHEA
What Is Diarrhea And What Causes It?
Diarrhea is loose, watery bowel movements which occur several times a day. Viruses are a
common cause of diarrhea. Other causes include bacterial infections, too much alcohol, fever,
emotional stress, and spoiled foods.
Is Diarrhea A Serious Illness?
It can be. Diarrhea causes loss of fluid from the body which may be dangerous - especially for
babies. Therefore, it is important to give lots of clear liquids.
What Is The Home Treatment For
Diarrhea?
Diarrhea is treated mostly by diet to rest the bowel by eating foods that are easily
digested.
For Babies Up To Six Months
- Give clear liquids for 12-24 hours. Giving only clear liquids for
more than 24 hours may actually make the diarrhea last longer, but for the
first 24 hours, it should help. Do not give formula. Examples of clear
liquids are water, tea, kool aid, Jell-O, and apple juice. Ricelyte®
or Pedialyte® are clear liquids available at most
grocery or drug stores.
- After 24 hours, begin giving half strength formula. Half strength
formula means: mix one can ready-to-feed formula with one can of water or
mix one can of concentrated formula with three cans of water.
- After about 12 hours of half strength formula, you may give full
strength formula.
Infants Six Months To One Year
- Give clear liquids for 12 to 24 hours. Giving only clear liquids for more than 24
hours may actually make the diarrhea last longer, but for the first 24 hours, it should help. Do
not give formula. Examples of clear liquids are water, tea, kool- aid, popsicles, Jell-O or apple
juice Pedialyte® or
Ricelyte®.
- After 24 hours, begin giving half strength formula. Half strength
formula means: mix one can ready-to-feed formula with one can of water or mix one can of
concentrated formula with three cans of water.
- After 12 to 24 hours on half strength formula, you may give full strength
formula and gradually add other foods like
- rice cereal
- grits
- salatine crackers
- bananas
- applesause
- dry toast
- After 12 to 24 hours on the above foods, slowly add other foods that the baby
normally eats.
For Children and Adults
- Give clear liquids the first 12 to 24 hours.
- Give bland foods (like toast, applesauce, rice, grits, or bananas) after 12 to 24
hours on clear liquids.
- Avoid milk products until bowel movements are back to normal for several
days.
- Return to the regular diet slowly.
When Should You Call The Doctor?
Call your doctor if there is diarrhea with any of the following:
- fever higher that 102° F rectally in babies or any fever in babies under two months
old.
- blood in the stools.
- severe stomach pain.
- urinating less often than usual, no tears with crying, or dry tongue. This means your child is
not getting enough liquids and may be dehydrated.
- severe diarrhea in a person with diabetes.
- more than ten stools a day.
- diarrhea with severe vomiting.
- diarrhea that does not get better after three or four days of home treatment.
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