In a number of gastrointestinal diseases, which are most often affected by children, gastroenteritis can be noted as a special item. It can be caused by infections, viruses and even ordinary food at first glance. About what symptoms are accompanied by gastroenteritis, and what it is dangerous, we will tell in this article.
Gastroenteritis in children
Gastroenteritis is an inflammatory process on the mucous membranes of the stomach and small intestine. Most often, the disease is a consequence of a violation of diet and hygiene. Gastroenteritis in children also has an infectious nature and in some cases can be contagious.
The disease has two stages: chronic and acute.
- Acute gastroenteritis in children is characterized by the suddenness of the disease. With a timely appeal to a specialist, it does not last long. The cause of its occurrence can be any rotavirus infection, poor-quality food or unboiled water.
- Chronic gastroenteritis in children is characterized by seasonal exacerbations. Often the cause of it are worms, allergic reactions to foods and improperly composed diets, as well as overeating.
Another cause causing inflammation of the mucosa of the stomach and small intestine is dysbiosis.
Symptoms of gastroenteritis in children
The main symptom of gastroenteritis is pain, concentrating in the navel.
At the very beginning of the inflammatory process, pain may not yet exist, but there is a disorder of the stool, the child is sick, and vomiting may open. With the development of gastroenteritis, symptoms are added:
- bloating;
- increased body temperature;
- the appearance of a white or yellowish coating on the tongue;
- loss of appetite;
- headache.
Particular mention should be made of the child's chair. In the toilet, a patient with gastroenteritis walks up to 15 times a day. The stool becomes liquid with slugs, can foam and has a sharp unpleasant odor.
Treatment of gastroenteritis in children
At the first symptoms of gastroenteritis, you should contact a specialist who will prescribe a suitable course of drug treatment. The duration of medication will depend on the form of the disease and the degree of neglect.
Treatment of acute gastroenteritis in children without complications lasts several days. If it is a chronic form of the disease during an exacerbation, depending on the condition of the sick child, doctors can send it to inpatient treatment.
Diet in children with gastroenteritis
In acute gastroenteritis in children should adhere to a diet. It consists in a complete refusal of food for several hours after the appearance of the first symptoms. It is advisable to increase the period of refusal from food by one or two days. Drinking at the same time should be abundant, as gastroenteritis leads to dehydration of the child's body.
Food at the time of the acute stage of gastroenteritis should be as gentle as possible. A child can be given a puree of fruits or vegetables, but without the addition of sugar. On the third day in the diet of the child can add chicken and low-fat broth. If the food is digested well, you can inject fish with the liver, eggs and cookies. To normal diet regain the fifth
Prevention of gastroenteritis in children
To prevent a disease or prevent an exacerbation of its chronic form, the child must comply with the rules of hygiene, as well as handle the products well before using them.
Also it is impossible to force the child to eat, when he does not want it promotes overeating and can lead to an inflammation of mucous stomach and a small intestine.
For children suffering from chronic gastroenteritis, there are also preventive measures that are determined by a specialist depending on the disease pattern and the causes of its causes.