Children (like adults) can develop stomach problems. When this disease occurs, it is necessary to take timely measures so as not to worsen the condition. Indigestion in children is one of the most common ailments. The causes and methods of treatment are described in the article.
Why does it appear?
Indigestion in a child leads to cramps and pain in the abdomen, accompanied by diarrhea, fever. Sometimes there is vomiting. The causes of this condition include viruses, infections and bacteria, which, after entering the body, multiply, disrupting its normal functioning.
Intestinal infections are recognized as dangerous. It can be obtained from eating unwashed fruit or from dirty hands while eating. What are the causes of indigestion in a child? The main factor is intolerance to certain foods. In order to prevent this unpleasant ailment, you need to carefully introduce products, especially during the first feeding in infants.
If children from 3 years old have intoleranceproduct, you need to consult a doctor. Often with overeating, a newborn develops an upset stomach. It is important to control the process and volume of food intake. Often the problem appears in infants, because at this age the digestive system is not yet fully formed. In children, this ailment, like indigestion during pregnancy, has its own characteristics. Therefore, it is important to know how to properly eliminate an unpleasant symptom.
Illnesses
When a virus or infection enters the body, diarrhea, fever, or a suffocating condition usually appear. Rotavirus infection is considered a common disease of young children, which appears due to poor personal hygiene.
With this disease, it is necessary to control the baby's water balance, because complications appear in the body with dehydration. After the improvement of the condition, it is necessary to adhere to a therapeutic diet. Do not force a child to eat what he does not want.
Other factors
Indigestion can occur due to an allergy to a foreign protein, which, once ingested, cannot be digested and leads to an upset. Often the phenomenon occurs from milk. Not all organisms are able to digest its protein normally. Therefore, if an upset stomach appears, diarrhea in a child after eating dairy products, you need to remove them from the diet and consult a doctor.
The phenomenon can occur with antibiotic therapy when antibiotics are taken. This is due to the fact that the drug destroys the bacteria that appeared in the body after complications. But antibiotics doeliminate pathogenic microorganisms, as well as those that are required for the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. At this time, the death of a large part of the intestinal microflora occurs, which leads to the disorder.
Symptoms
Usually, the first sign of a problem in the body is nausea and vomiting. If the disease is severe, then the baby may vomit several times in a short time. This causes pain in the abdomen, causing the child to become irritable, have a fever, and develop diarrhea.
If the diarrhea has not disappeared in a day and there is no relief, the fever is not eliminated, then you should not wait any longer. It is urgent to call an ambulance. Professional help from a doctor will quickly improve the child's condition.
First Aid
If you have an upset stomach, you need to call an ambulance, because such symptoms may indicate appendicitis. It should be borne in mind that if you suspect this ailment, you should not wash the child's stomach.
Painkillers should not be given as this may interfere with the diagnosis. If vomiting, diarrhea and fever appear, then antipyretics are given. Before the ambulance arrives, the child should be given clean water to drink.
Treatment
If there is an upset stomach, what should I do? It is important to determine the cause, and not to self-medicate. To do this, the doctor sends for an examination that allows you to determine the root cause of the disease.
If the tests confirm the presence of an infection, then antibiotics are prescribed. Do not do ittake the medicine at your own discretion, as this can lead to negative consequences.
Medicines
Indigestion can be treated with activated charcoal. This medicine is not very harmful for the child, it allows you to quickly and effectively remove toxins.
Medications such as Smecta, Enterol and Enterodes are often prescribed, which have an absorbent effect, as well as a pleasant taste. Replenishment of the balance of electrolytes is provided with the help of the drug "Regidron", which must be diluted in a glass of water.
Pills
They have a prolonged effect, because before the absolute dissolution of the drug pass a long way through the gastrointestinal tract. Tablets for indigestion allow you to gently and gradually eliminate the symptom. Various substances can be used as active ingredients, for example, nifuroxazide, pectin, activated carbon.
Often tablets include magnesium stearate, lactose. Tablets for indigestion should not be given to children under 3 years of age. In rare cases, the manufacturer indicates that it is allowed to take the drug only from the age of 7. Such tablets as "Filtrum STI", "Carbolen Ultra-Adsorb" are in demand.
Capsules
These drugs differ from tablets in their rapid dissolution during passage through the gastrointestinal tract. In capsules, active substances can be different - from beneficial bacteria to chemical components.
As excipients may be lactose monohydrate, potato starch, destrin, magnesium stearate,gelatin, titanium dioxide. This form is designed for the fact that the drug reaches a certain point in the tract and there it gives out useful properties. For children, Sorbex is usually chosen.
Gels
Adsorbents are created in the form of gels. Gels are easier to take for children, and also mix with a product, for example, honey or apply on bread, biscuits. The drug envelops the esophagus, stomach and intestines, reducing the pathogenic effect of microorganisms on mucous surfaces.
The active ingredients include silicon dioxide, polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate. Children are often prescribed gels such as Enterosgel, Phosphalugel.
Suspensions
They are sold ready-made, but usually you need to mix the drug yourself. Suspensions are undesirable for children under one year old, as they include flavors and sweeteners.
The drug is absorbed after entering the mouth, so it acts quickly. In the form of suspensions, there can be various remedies: from antibiotics to homeopathy. Children are helped by "Amoxiclav", "Amoxicillin Solutab".
Solutions and drops
They can be on alcohol or on purified water. Solutions and drops are quickly absorbed into mucous surfaces, showing antidiarrheal properties in a short time.
Drops are stronger and should be given in small doses. They are suitable for children under one year old. For a child, effective drops such as Hilak Forte are prescribed.
Candles
Candles are one of the effective remedies. They are quickly absorbed into the body through the intestines, without causing much harm. Candles should be inserted into the anus, where they further dissolve.
Use this drug carefully, because the strong effect against diarrhea can cause constipation. The composition of candles is different, but usually they consist of antibacterial and astringent components. Oils, fats, paraffin, lanolin, wax can be used as excipients.
Powder
In this form, the drug is diluted in water. These include antibacterial components and adsorbents. The use of the powder removes toxins, pathogens, and also eliminates decay products.
Such drugs are effective. Suspensions are prepared on their basis. Additionally, they contain magnesium stearate, glucose and saccharin. The most effective include Smekta, Karbaktin, Regidron.
Before using any pharmacy product, it is advisable to consult a specialist. The doctor will choose the most suitable drug, and also tell you about the rules of treatment.
Contraindications
Any medicine has side effects and contraindications. The instructions usually warn of hypersensitivity to the components. Some drugs should not be taken:
- at a certain age;
- with renal, hepatic insufficiency;
- for chronic diarrhea;
- with hyperkalemia;
- with intestinal obstruction.
There may be other restrictions. It is important to consider drug compatibility. Treatment should be carried out according to the instructionsand doctor's recommendations to avoid harmful effects on the body.
Traditional medicine
With functional indigestion, traditional medicine helps. For this, herbal infusions are prepared, which have a fixing effect. To make such a decoction, you will need fennel fruits, oak bark and sage leaves (1 tbsp each).
The components must be mixed and poured with cool water (250 ml.). Boil for 15 minutes, then cook for another 20 minutes. Infusion use 3 tbsp. l. several times a day. To restore the electrolyte balance will allow another remedy prepared at home. To do this, boil water (a glass) and, after cooling, add sugar (1.5 tbsp), s alt (1 tsp) and soda (0.5 tsp). After mixing, you can give children 1 tbsp. l. every 10 minutes.
If the baby is sick
In this situation, you should not stay at home and try to cure the newborn on your own, because severe complications can occur with dehydration. Abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever can be due to the development of appendicitis, then self-care can be dangerous.
Pain comes from infections, viruses that cannot be identified at home. The disorder in the baby may be associated with teething, in which there is a fever, and the child does not eat and sleep well. With diarrhea in a child, whims and anxiety, you need to call an ambulance.
Food
What do you eat when you have an upset stomach? Do not load the child's weak stomach with rich and fatty foods. You need to follow a diet. If a child refuses food, he should be offered warm sweet tea with crackers or biscuits.
Over time, you can include natural yogurt in your diet. But it must be free of chemical impurities. If there is an appetite, you should cook vegetable soup, make mashed potatoes, only it should not have a lot of oil.
Sweet compote is useful from drinks, but it should not be made very rich. You can use fresh apple juice, which must be diluted with water. Not very thick fruit jelly helps. Ask your doctor about other principles of nutrition.
Prevention
In order to prevent indigestion, it is important to follow the rules of personal hygiene, since their violation usually leads to such a situation. It is necessary to give the child such correct habits as washing hands before eating, washing vegetables and fruits, because they contain a lot of germs.
Prevention involves improving the protective functions of the body so that it reacts sharply to foreign pathogenic bacteria. Parents need to watch what their children eat. Food should be he althy, without harmful additives. Such activities will allow the child to be he althy and happy.
