Preventing Dehydration From Diarrhea

For most of us, the normal reaction when "D(iarrhea)-Day" strikes is to swallow a pill or antidiarrheal medication. Manufacturers of these products often promise quick relief. But the truth is, none of them is necessary in case of acute or simple diarrhea which disappears sooner or later.

"Simple diarrhea, whatever its cause, is almost always self-limiting; it subsides in a day or two without treatment. The simplest remedy is to avoid any foods or drinks suspected of causing or aggravating the problem, drugs not recommended or prescribed by a physician, and most dairy products since the lactose aggravates diarrhea even for those who are not normally lactose intolerant," explained Kurt Butler of the Quackery Action Council of Hawaii and Dr. Lynn Rayner of the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University if Hawaii in "The Best Medicine.

"Water or diluted juice should also be taken to replace lost fluid. At least one glass every three hours is usually advisable. All caffeinated and sugary beverages should be avoided. If diarrhea lasts more than a day, make a mixture of half a teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of baking soda, and four tablespoons of sugar in a liter of water. Drink it when thirsty to prevent dehydration," they added.

Dehydration is a serious complication of diarrhea, especially in infants and people over 60 The loss of too much liquid from the body can be fatal and is often the cause of many infant deaths in developing countries.

"Diarrhea causes dehydration, which kills approximately 3.5 million children every year.
Diarrhea is also a major cause of child malnutrition," according to the editors of "Facts for Life" published by the Philippine Information Agency and the United Nations Children's Fund.

Even then, "Facts for Life" said medicines should not be given to children unless specified by a doctor. Most infants and kids can get along with breast milk, soup and rice water to prevent dehydration.

Other alternatives are fresh fruit juice, weak tea, green coconut water or a packet of oral rehydration salts. The latter, which can treat and prevent dehydration, can easily be prepared at home by mixing with water.

"Most medicines for diarrhea are either useless or harmful. The diarrhea will usually cure itself in a few days. The real danger is usually not the diarrhea but the loss of liquids from the child's body," said the editors of "Facts for Life."

"It is often said that a child with diarrhea should not be given any food or drink while the diarrhea lasts. This advice is wrong. Food can help to stop the diarrhea. Also diarrhea can lead to serious malnutrition unless parents make a special effort to keep feeding the child during and after the illness," they added. (Next: How to prevent diarrhea.)

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