Common Myths and Facts About Diarrhea in Kids
Common Myths and Facts About Diarrhea in Kids: Being a top pediatrician clinic in Greater Noida West, ShobhaShyam Paediatrics Clinic is aware of the worries parents have while their child is having diarrhea.
At this pediatrician clinic in Greater Noida West, Dr. Vivek Shyam and his staff are dedicated to providing correct information to dispel myths and clarify the truths about this prevalent childhood illness, enabling parents to make wise decisions about their child’s health.
Common Myths and Facts About Diarrhea in Kids
Myth: Diarrhea is Always Caused by Something the Child Ate
Fact: While diarrhea can be brought on by food poisoning or a bad reaction to particular foods, viral or bacterial infections are more common causes. Children’s diarrhea is frequently caused by viruses such as rotavirus, norovirus, and adenovirus. Diarrhea can also be brought on by bacterial illnesses like E. Coli or salmonella.
Diarrhea can also occasionally be a side effect of other diseases, including respiratory infections and ear infections. Monitor your child’s symptoms and get medical help at a pediatrician clinic in Greater Noida West like ShobhaShyam Paediatrics if diarrhea doesn’t go away or if it’s combined with other worrying symptoms like fever, bloody stools, or excruciating stomach pain.
Myth: Diarrhea Has to Be Halted Right Away
Fact: The body uses diarrhea as a natural means of eliminating diseases or toxic materials most of the time. Abruptly stopping it can make the disease worse and last longer. Instead, give your youngster plenty of fluids, such as broths, electrolyte solutions, or water. When the first diarrheal phase has ended, and your kid is feeling better, progressively resume their regular diet, focusing on items that are readily digested, such as toast, rice, applesauce, and bananas (BRAT diet).
But, get medical help right away at a pediatrician clinic in Greater Noida West if diarrhea lasts longer than a few days or your child exhibits symptoms of dehydration, including dry mouth, less urine production, or lethargy.
Myth: Children Who are Having Diarrhea Should Not Eat Solid Foods
Fact: Although starting with bland, easily digested foods like those in the BRAT diet is advised, denying your child solid meals completely can rob them of vital nutrients needed for growth and healing. After the first diarrheal period has ended and your child’s hunger starts to come back, progressively bring them back to their regular diet, stressing whole foods and drinking enough water.
But meals that can aggravate the digestive system even more, such as oily, spicy, or highly processed foods, must be avoided. Visit a Best Pediatric Medical Centre in Greater Noida for advice on controlling your child’s food during diarrhea spells.
Myth: Diarrhoea Can Never Be Treated Without Antibiotics
Fact: Viruses are the main cause of diarrhea in children, and they are resistant to antibiotics. Only in circumstances when a pediatrician at a pediatrician clinic in Greater Noida West, such as ShobhaShyam Paediatrics, determines that antibiotics are necessary for bacterial infections. Antibiotic overuse can upset the good bacteria in the stomach and result in antibiotic resistance, which could worsen digestive problems.
Your child’s pediatrician may request tests to identify the underlying reason for diarrhea and recommend suitable therapy, which may or may not involve antibiotics if the diarrhea is accompanied by worrying symptoms like fever, bloody stools, or excruciating abdominal discomfort.
Myth: A Diarrheal Illness is Not Potentially Fatal
Fact: If diarrhea is not treated appropriately, it can cause dehydration and other problems, even though it is common in children and usually goes away by itself. Diarrhea that is severe or protracted can lead to nutritional deficits, electrolyte imbalances, and in severe cases, even death.
Because young children and newborns can rapidly lose vital fluids and electrolytes, dehydration is a serious concern. Dehydration symptoms include a dry mouth, less peeing, sunken eyes, and slackness. See a pediatrician clinic in Greater Noida West like ShobhaShyam Paediatrics right away if your child displays these signs or is having trouble drinking enough fluids. If your child’s diarrhea doesn’t go away or if it’s followed by other worrisome symptoms like fever, bloody stools, or excruciating stomach pain, you should continuously check their health.
Myth: It’s Safe to Give Kids Over-the-Counter Diarrhea Drugs
Fact: Since they can have side effects and conceal underlying problems, anti-diarrheal drugs should be used carefully in youngsters. There may be problems if these drugs interfere with the body’s normal elimination of poisons or infections. In addition, several anti-diarrheal drugs have components that kids—especially newborns—may not be able to tolerate.
Before administering any medication to your child, always speak with a pediatrician at a pediatrician clinic in Greater Noida West. They may provide suitable and safe treatment options depending on your child’s age, weight, and general health status. Sometimes your pediatrician will advise treating diarrhea with probiotics, oral rehydration solutions, or other supportive treatments.
Myth: Diarrhea is Contagious Only Through Direct Contact
Fact: Diarrhea can be quite contagious and can be contracted in more ways than only coming into touch with an afflicted person. Food, drink, or contaminated surfaces can all spread the viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens that cause diarrhea. For instance, an infected individual can transfer the disease to others if they do not wash their hands properly after using the lavatory and then touch surfaces or prepare meals.
Further contributing to diarrhea outbreaks is eating or drinking tainted food. Keeping surfaces clean, handling food properly, and washing your hands often are all essential ways to stop the spread of bacteria that cause diarrhea.
Myth: Diarrhea is Always Accompanied by Vomiting
Fact: Though it’s not a common symptom, vomiting might happen simultaneously with diarrhea. Some kids might have diarrhea without throwing up, and others might throw up without having diarrhea. Though the symptoms of each child can differ, it is important to keep an eye on their general health and, if needed, get medical help. Especially in young children and infants, vomiting can cause dehydration more quickly; thus, it can be a cause for worry.
Myth: Children Who Have Diarrhea Should Not Take Probiotics
Fact: Probiotics, healthy bacteria present in some foods and supplements, can aid children with diarrhea both while and after it occurs. They can help to rebalance the intestinal system that antibiotics or bacteria that cause diarrhea disturb. Sometimes, especially when it comes to viral diarrhea, probiotics have been demonstrated to shorten and lessen the duration of diarrhea.
Myth: Milk and Dairy Products Shouldn’t Be Consumed by Children Who Have Diarrhoea
Fact: Although it is not usually the case, some kids may have brief lactose intolerance both during and after a diarrheal episode. No need to forgo milk and dairy products during diarrhea bouts unless your child has a confirmed lactose allergy or their pediatrician at a pediatrician clinic in Greater Noida West advises otherwise.
Still, you must make sure your child drinks enough water, electrolyte solutions, or broths to be hydrated. See your child’s pediatrician if you find that dairy products are aggravating their diarrhea; they may advise temporarily cutting back on dairy items until the diarrhea goes away.
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Conclusion – Common Myths and Facts About Diarrhea in Kids
Under the direction of Dr. Vivek Shyam, a reputable pediatrician clinic in Greater Noida West, ShobhaShyam Paediatrics Clinic seeks to inform parents about the realities surrounding diarrhea in children. Through the debunking of widespread misconceptions and provision of correct information, parents may better comprehend and handle this illness, guaranteeing the health and quick recovery of their child.
Prevention is also crucial to lowering the chance of diarrhea in kids. Among these are washing your hands often, handling and cooking food properly, and making sure your child has all of their vaccines. Particularly the vaccine against the rotavirus has greatly decreased the number of children who have severe diarrhoea from this virus.
Parents may successfully treat diarrhea in their children and support their general health by taking these preventive steps and, when needed, getting quick medical assistance from a pediatrician clinic in Greater Noida West, such as ShobhaShyam Paediatrics.
