DIARRHEA IN CHILDREN:
Diarrhea in children is to be addressed with utmost care because they become dehydrated very soon. Children can be affected from both acute and chronic forms of diarrhea. Microbiological studies reveal that the rotavirus is the most common cause of acute childhood diarrhea.
Diarrhea in newborns and infants must be taken seriously. In most cases it leads to dehydration in just a day or two and it may become fatal within a few days. Along with indicated remedies, rehydration is most important to replace lost fluid quickly. Salt with glucose or easily available electrolyte balancing salts are used to replace lost fluids. A referral to the higher healthcare center is to be considered if there is no improvement after 24 hours or if any of the following symptoms appear:
WHAT IS DIARRHEA?
- stools containing blood or pus
- black stools
- a temperature above 102 degrees
- signs of dehydration
WHAT IS DIARRHEA?
Diarrhea is a term used when the stool is loose or liquid for 3 or more times in a 24-hour period. The colour and consistency of the stools are most important elements, rather than the frequency for the selection of right homeopathic medicine.
- Acute diarrhea is a common problem caused due to indigestion and other factors that last 1 or 2 days and usually ends by food alteration or on its own.
- Persistent diarrhea for more than 2 days may be a sign of more serious problem, with the very real risk of dehydration.
- Chronic diarrhea is usually a feature of chronic diseases, such as colitis.
Diarrhea is considered chronic when the stool is loose or frequent for more than few weeks. People with diarrhea may pass more than a litre of stool a day. Frequent passing of formed stools is not diarrhea (such as in Irritable Bowel Syndrome), nor should dysentery be confused with it. Babies fed only breast milk often pass loose, “pasty” stools. But this is also not diarrhea. In infants and children (especially under age of 3), diarrhea can cause dangerous dehydration quickly.
Steatorrhea is the passage of pale, bulky stools containing excess fats that float in water and are difficult to flush away. It is common due to dietary indiscretion or from infection. It should be differentiated from the usual diarrhea for selection of proper drugs.
Steatorrhea is the passage of pale, bulky stools containing excess fats that float in water and are difficult to flush away. It is common due to dietary indiscretion or from infection. It should be differentiated from the usual diarrhea for selection of proper drugs.
The Homeopathic Approach & Its Emerging Link:
Diarrhea has various causes. According to conventional approach it is mainly due to infection. Homeopathy has a different approach covering vitality, food, fat imbalances, morbific factors, etc. it takes into consideration the consistency, frequency, as well as mental symptoms, modalities, etc. Many drugs are prescribed according to the mental state/behaviour of the patient during the episode, which conventional medicine doesn’t consider. But now many scientific studies have linked the mental symptoms with altered bowel movements through noradrenergic and serotonergic pathways.
Diarrhea has various causes. According to conventional approach it is mainly due to infection. Homeopathy has a different approach covering vitality, food, fat imbalances, morbific factors, etc. it takes into consideration the consistency, frequency, as well as mental symptoms, modalities, etc. Many drugs are prescribed according to the mental state/behaviour of the patient during the episode, which conventional medicine doesn’t consider. But now many scientific studies have linked the mental symptoms with altered bowel movements through noradrenergic and serotonergic pathways.
In case of chronic diarrhea, altered intestinal physiology with changes in the intestinal motility and mucous production play an important role. According to recent reports, these changes are considered to be under direct immunological control rather than due to micro-organisms.
WHAT CAUSES DIARRHEA? (SCIENTIFIC VIEWS):
Though diarrhea is usually a symptom of gastro-intestinal infection, people with weak vital force are predominantly affected. There are varieties of bacterial, viral and parasitic organisms associated. Infection may be food-borne, water-borne, or from person as a result of poor hygiene. Modern literatures suggest that acute diarrhea is usually related to infection and chronic diarrhea is usually related to functional disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Inflammatory Bowel Disease. However, the following grouping may be more convenient to the readers.
WHAT CAUSES DIARRHEA? (SCIENTIFIC VIEWS):
Though diarrhea is usually a symptom of gastro-intestinal infection, people with weak vital force are predominantly affected. There are varieties of bacterial, viral and parasitic organisms associated. Infection may be food-borne, water-borne, or from person as a result of poor hygiene. Modern literatures suggest that acute diarrhea is usually related to infection and chronic diarrhea is usually related to functional disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Inflammatory Bowel Disease. However, the following grouping may be more convenient to the readers.
Several types of bacteria consumed through contaminated water or food. Common culprits include: Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella and E. coli.
Many viruses including rotavirus, Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, and other viruses causing hepatitis.
Parasites such as Giardia Lamblia, Entameba histolytica, Cryptosporidium can enter the body, settle in the digestive tract and cause diarrhea.
- Infections:
Several types of bacteria consumed through contaminated water or food. Common culprits include: Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella and E. coli.
Many viruses including rotavirus, Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, and other viruses causing hepatitis.
Parasites such as Giardia Lamblia, Entameba histolytica, Cryptosporidium can enter the body, settle in the digestive tract and cause diarrhea.
People who visit foreign countries are at risk of traveller’s diarrhea, which is caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Perhaps it may be a reaction of the bowel system to such new micro – organisms.
- Food Intolerances:
- Reaction to medicines:
- Intestinal diseases:
- Functional bowel disorders:
- Post-surgical:
ACCOMPANYING SYMPTOMS OF DIARRHEA:
- Cramp or colicky pain in the abdomen.
- Bloating in the abdomen
- An uncomfortable feeling around the anus
- Inability to control their bowels (fecal incontinence)
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Fever and chills
- Bloody stools
PREVENTING AND MANAGING DEHYDRATION:
- Liquids that ARE suitable and those NOT suitable during diarrhea:
- Oral rehydration salts (ORS) and its new formulation
- Zinc during diarrhea:
- WASH hands after using the toilet!!
Acknowledged HOMEOPATHIC Remedies for MANAGING DIARRHEA:
For Painless Diarrhea:
For Painless Diarrhea:
- Acidum Phosphoricum
- Bellis Perennis
- Cinchona Officinalis
- Croton Tiglium
- Ignatia Amara
- Jaborandi
- Natrum Muriaticum
- Phosphorus
- Podophyllum
- Sulphur
Diarrhea with predominance of cramps/colic:
- Aloe Socotrina
- Ambra Grisea
- Argentum Nitricum
- Arsenic Album
- Chamomilla
- Colchicum
- Colocynthis
- Dioscorea Villosa
- Magnesium Carbonicum
- Mercurius Corrosives
- Veratrum Album
Diarrhea with Nausea and Vomiting:
- Aethusa
- Camphora
- Colchicum
- Cuprum Metallicum
- Dulcamara
- Ipecacuanha
- Podophyllum
- Pulsatilla
- Veratrum Album
Bibliography:
https://www.homeopathic.com/Articles/Using_homeopathy_for_ailments/Homeopathic_Medicines_for_Diarrhea.html
http://treatment.hpathy.com/homeo-medicine/homeopathy-diarrhea/
https://www.homeopathic.com/Articles/Using_homeopathy_for_ailments/Homeopathic_Medicines_for_Diarrhea.html
http://treatment.hpathy.com/homeo-medicine/homeopathy-diarrhea/