Diarrhea is a common ailment among toddlers between the ages of six months to three years. Diarrhea among toddlers can be attributed to various reasons ranging from viral and bacterial infections to gastrointestinal disorders and food poisoning. Toddler diarrhea can be distinguished as acute diarrhea and chronic diarrhea.
Acute diarrhea in toddlers last up to a week or two while chronic diarrhea in toddlers may last for more than two weeks. The symptoms and causes of toddler diarrhea helps diagnose the health condition of the toddler accurately and decide the treatment accordingly. The key toddler diarrhea causes are:
The excess intake of sugar, liquids or carbohydrates can cause diarrhea among toddlers. Low fat diet can also lead to diarrhea among children. A fiber rich diet also helps resolve most issues related to gastrointestinal disorders. Lactose intolerance or inability to digest proteins present in cow’s milk can also trigger diarrhea.
Food contamination and food or water containing certain virus, bacteria or parasites can result in diarrhea among toddlers. Consuming foods contaminated with toxins and pesticides can also affect the digestive system.
Intake of certain medications such as antibiotics can also trigger diarrhea among toddlers.
Certain bowel disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) also lead to diarrhea causing severe symptoms such as bleeding and abdominal cramps.
The most common symptoms associated with mild to moderate toddler diarrhea are: stomach ache, vomiting, fever and watery diarrhea. Extreme digestive disorders may indicate symptoms such as: bleeding, bloody stools, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite and weight loss.
Simple and common tips can help treat diarrhea in toddlers with mild to moderate diarrhea while extreme symptoms require immediate medical attention. Some common ways to treat diarrhea in toddlers are: