Diarrhoea in infants and children is usually caused by an infection that heals spontaneously, without treatment, but the best option is always to take the child to the pediatrician, so that he can make a detailed assessment and give directions to avoid complications, such as dehydration. For example.
If your child has a fever, diarrhea lasts several days, bowel movements are very liquid, or bowel movements are common, for example, your doctor may prescribe medications that speed healing, such as probiotics, oral hydration or antipyretic solutions.
Medications your doctor may order to treat diarrhea include
Oral rehydration therapy (TRO) involves the administration of appropriate solutions to correct and prevent dehydration caused by diarrhea. Examples of solutions that may be indicated for oral rehydration are Floralyte, Hydrafix, Rehidrat or Pedialyte. Learn more about salts and oral rehydration solutions.
How to use: Oral rehydration solutions should be given to the child, gradually, throughout the day, especially after each diarrhoeal onset.
Probiotics help alter the composition of the gut microflora, inactivate bacterial toxins, inhibit the binding of toxins with intestinal receptors, stimulate the immune system and inhibit the inflammatory response induced by toxins, creating unfavorable conditions for pathogen multiplication, leading to a shorter duration. diarrhoea.
The most commonly used probiotics for the treatment of diarrhea are Saccharomyces boulardii (Floratil, Repoflor) and Lactobacillus (Colikids, Provance, ZincoPro). Learn how to use colikids.
How to use: The dosage depends on the prescribed probiotic and should be performed according to the doctor’s instructions.
Possible side effects: Although rare, some of the side effects that can occur when using racecadotril are headaches and redness of the skin.
Zinc is a mineral related to the maintenance of the intestinal epithelial barrier, tissue repair and immune function. During episodes of acute diarrhea, zinc deficiency may occur and therefore, in some cases, your doctor may recommend supplementation with this mineral.
Examples of remedies for pediatric use are Biozinc for children, with zinc in their composition, and Zincopro envelopes, which in addition to zinc also have probiotics in their composition.
How to use: Dosage depends on the zinc supplement indicated by your doctor.
Possible side effects: Zinc supplements are generally well tolerated and no adverse effects are known with their use.
Racecadotril is a remedy that has its antidiarrheal effect by inhibiting intestinal encephalism, reducing the secretion of water and electrolytes in the intestine, being effective in reducing diarrhea.
An example of a drug containing racecadotril in its composition, for pediatric use, is Tiorfan in envelopes.
How to use: The recommended dose is 1.5 mg / kg body weight, three times a day.
Possíveis efeitos colaterais: Embora seja muito raro, podem ocorrer reações adversas, como náuseas, vômitos, prisão de ventre, vertigem e dor de cabeça.
In some cases, especially if diarrhea is the result of an infection, the child may also have a fever, which can be relieved with an antipyretic, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or dipirone (Novalgina), orally. During episodes of diarrhoea, the use of these medicines as suppositories should be avoided as far as possible.
How to use: The dose to be administered depends on the weight of the child.
Possible side effects: although rare, allergic skin reactions may occur.
A terapia com antibióticos não é geralmente indicada na diarreia em crianças, com exceção da diarreia infantil com presença de sangue, suspeita de cólera com desidratação severa, infecções não intestinais graves, em crianças com menos 3 meses de idade, em imunodeficiência primária ou secundária, terapia imunossupressora ou se existir sepse como complicação.
Watch the video below and find out which diet is best for diarrhea
See also how to prepare home remedies for diarrhea.