What is diarrhea
- the sudden increase in frequency and looseness of stools.
- 3 or more watery stools.
Causes of acute diarrhea
- Virus: An infection of the intestines from a virus is the most common cause.
- Bacteria: Less common cause. Diarrhea often contains streaks of blood.
- Food Poisoning: This causes rapid vomiting and diarrhea within hours after eating the bad food. It is caused by toxins from germs growing in foods left out for too long. Most often, symptoms go away in less than 24 hours. It often can be treated at home without the need for medical care.
- Traveler's Diarrhea: Caused by germs in food or drink. If followed by recent foreign travel.
Causes of recurrent diarrhea
- Cow's Milk Allergy: Can cause loose, slimy stools in babies. Can be blood-streaked. Starts within first 2 months of life. Avoid cow's milk formulas.
- Toddler's Diarrhea: Toddlers who pass 3 to 6 sloppy stools per day. Stools may run out of the diaper. Symptoms begin at age 1 and resole at age 3 or 4, after toilet trained. Harmless and no impact on growth. Fruit juice makes it worse.
- Lactose Intolerance: Lactose is the sugar in milk. Many people cannot absorb lactose. The gut bacteria convert the lactose to gas. The main symptoms are a lot of gas, loose stools, and stomach bloating. Onset usually age 4 or 5.
Home care advice
- Formula-fed Babies: Keep giving formula but feed more often. Offer as much formula as your child will take. Mix formula the normal way.
- Breastfed Babies: Give your baby breast milk more often. Also, give some extra fluids if you think breast milk is not keeping up with fluid losses. You can use formula or ORS (Pedialyte)
- Children over 1: Offer as much fluid as your child will drink. If also eating eating solid foods, water is fine. If they will not eat solids, give milk or formula as the liquid.
- Solid Foods: Starchy foods are easy to digest and best. Offer cereals, bread, crackers, rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes. Pretzels or salty crackers will help add some salt to meals. Some salt is good.
- Probiotics: We recommend giving your child a probiotic daily especially if they are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea.
- Children under 1: Bio Gaia probiotic drops.
- children over 1: Culturelle probiotic.