Homeopathic Remedies for Diarrhea in Children
Diarrhea is a condition that stands for passing watery, loose stools many times a day (three or more than three times a day). This condition is very common among children and any age group of children can be affected by it. The condition can be acute (short-term) as well as chronic (long-term). The acute cases may last for 1 to 2 days whereas the chronic diarrhea cases last for a few weeks or more. Homeopathy for diarrhea in children is an ideal choice that ranges from mild to moderate cases.
What are the Causes of Diarrhea in Children?
There are a number of reasons of diarrhea in children.
- Viral or bacterial infection can be one of the main causes of diarrhea in children, viral infections are the most common
- In rare cases, parasites can also cause it
- Gastrointestinal tract infection (gastroenteritis)
- Food poisoning can also cause it
- It can also occur due to food allergies or food intolerances
- Celiac disease is another medical condition that can cause diarrhea, it is a condition in which the person is unable to process the protein available in wheat, barley and rye and it can also damage the lining of the small intestines
- Crohn’s disease, it can cause inflammation in any area of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus. This condition causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue and malnutrition in the body
- Ulcerative Colitis, it is another type of inflammation of bowels like Crohn’s disease and it results in inflammation and ulcers in the colon and rectum region. The main symptoms of this condition are diarrhea mixed with blood and abdominal colic.
Symptoms
- The child passes loose stool for three or more than three times a day in this case
- Urgency to defecate is another symptom
- In some cases, the child may pass stool involuntarily
- Pain and cramps may arise with loose stool
- Mucus or blood in stool may also be observed in some cases, the condition depends on the cause
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- The mild symptoms can last for 1 to 2 days, in severe cases, they can last for many days
Diarrhea can result in dehydration so dehydration also shows its symptoms including dry mouth, tongue and lips, less urination than usual, increased thirst, lethargy, lack of energy, weakness, irritability, sunken eyes and cheeks, lack of tears when crying etc. In severe cases, it can cause coldness of hands and feet, less urination (not urinating in more than 8 hours), drowsiness, pale skin, sunken soft spot on the head of an infant (fontanelle), the skin of child is unable to spring back to normal right away on pinching and releasing, high fever as well as unconsciousness. Severe dehydration can lead the patient to critical conditions such as coma, shock, organ damage and even death so the doctor should be contact urgently to treat it immediately.
Complications
- Dehydration
- Shock
- Organ damage
- Malnutrition
- Death
Homeopathy for Diarrhea in Children
Homeopathic mode of treatment is helpful in mild to moderate cases of diarrhea in children. These remedies are natural and devoid of side effects and effective too. Homeopathic remedies not only manage the loose stool but also take care of the associated symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain etc. apart from the medicines, plenty of fluid intake is also suggested for such cases. Homeopathic medicines should be taken after consulting a competent homeopath and he/she will suggest the medicine after taking into account the complete analysis of the case.
Homeopathic Medicines for Diarrhea in Children
Podophyllum – To Manage Profuse Gushing Stool
Podophyllum is one of the best homeopathic remedies to manage diarrhea in children. It is produced from the root of a plant known as Podophyllum peltatum and the common name is may apple. The family of the medicine is berberidaceae. This medicine works well in cases of profuse gushing stool. The color of the stool can be yellow or green. It is offensive in nature. Additionally, the stool may have undigested food particles in it. In some cases, the stool may be mixed with mucus too.
Aloe – To Manage Sudden Urge to Defecate
It is produced from the gum of a plant known as Aloe Socotrina. The family of the plant is liliaceae. It is highly recommended in cases when there is a sudden urge to pass stool. The desire to pass stool takes place soon after drinking or eating anything. The stool is watery, lumpy or mushy in nature. at times, the mucus is also passed in the stool. It is also beneficial in cases when stool is passed involuntarily while passing gas.
Chamomilla – Top Homeopathic Medicine for Diarrhea in Children
It is another natural remedy produced from the plant of Matricaria chamomilla. The plant belongs to the family of compositae. It is indicated in cases when the child passes watery, frequent stool. The smell of the stool is offensive and sour in nature. Most of the time, the color of the stool is greenish. It does contain slimy mucus that can be green, yellow or white in nature. The stool may be preceded by abdominal pain. Along with these features, sour or putrid smelling gas may also pass by the child. Furthermore, Chamomilla is also suitable for diarrhea in children that occurs during the dentition period.
Calcarea Carb – To Manage Offensive Stool in Children
Calcarea Carb is an ideal choice for children who defecate undigested particles in the stool and it is associated with an offensive smell. The smell may be like sour or spoiled eggs. At times, the stool may have blood in it. The stool passed can be frothy too and in some cases, the stool is passed involuntarily. Loose stool may be associated with pain in the abdomen. It is also recommended in cases of diarrhea in children during teething.
Cina – To Manage Watery Stool with White Mucus
Cina is produced from the unexpanded flower heads of the plant known as Artemisia maritima. The plant belongs to the family of compositae. It is indicated in cases of watery stool along with white mucus in it. It may be slimy or greenish in nature. The stool may pass after pinching abdominal pain. At times, the stool may pass involuntarily in children. In few cases, the blood may appear in the stool.
Arsenicum Album – Homeopathic Medicine for Diarrhea in Children from Food Poisoning
Arsenic Album is one of the best homeopathic remedies for diarrhea in children that occurs due to food poisoning. The patient of this medicine passes thin, watery, slimy stool that produces an offensive or rotten smell. The stool may contain green mucus. With the previous features, there may be a burning sensation around the navel region. The burning sensation is experienced before and during defecation. In most cases, vomiting is also present with loose stool. Weakness is also felt by the patient.
Rheum – To Manage Greenish Sour Smelling Stool
Rheum is produced from the plant known as Rheum Officinale commonly called rhubarb. The plant belongs to the family of polygonaceae. It is an ideal remedy for children who pass greenish sour smelling stool. It is associated with abdominal colic and is pinching in nature. The salivation is also increased with the previous symptoms.
Ipecac – To Treat Loose Stool Associated with Nausea, Vomiting
The medicine is produced from the dried roots of a plant known as Cephaelis Ipecacuanha. The plant belongs to the family of rubiaceae. It is highly recommended for cases when nausea and vomiting occur along with loose stool. Abdominal pain is also present. It is highly recommended when loose stool occurs from eating sweets, unripe fruits or during teething. The color of the stool is green or yellow.
China – To Manage Loose Stool with Excessive Gas
It is produced from the dried bark plant that is, Cinchona Officinalis commonly called Peruvian bark. The plant belongs to the family of rubiaceae. It is indicated in cases when stool is associated with excessive gas. The stool is loose and profuse in nature and it may be brownish or greenish colored. Furthermore, it may contain undigested food in it with a marked putrid smell. Along with the previous features, weakness may be felt and it can manage the weakness from the loss of vital fluids of the body very well. Homeopathic medicine China is also suitable for children when diarrhea occurs after eating fruits.
Colocynth – To Treat Stomach Cramps
Colocynth is produced from the pulp of a fruit of a plant that is, Citrullus colocynthis commonly called cucumis colocynthis and bitter apple. The plant of the medicine belongs to the family of cucurbitaceae. Colocynth is an ideal choice to manage stomach cramps. The cramps of the patient become worse after consuming food or drink. Hard pressure or bending double can provide relief to the stomach ache. In cases needing it, the stool is watery, frothy and yellow in nature. The gas is also passed while defecating.
Silicea – To Manage Frequent Loose Stool
Silicea is prescribed in cases of diarrhea when the stool is frequent, loose and has undigested food particles in it. At times, the stool contains mucus and frothy in nature. The stool passed is painless most of the time. Weakness may occur with the previous symptoms.
Note: Medicines mentioned here are for information purpose only. Kindly do not self-medicate.
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I had accomplished D. H. M. S in 2008, I have been into practice (in Rawalpindi & Islamabad) for more or less 14 years. During my practice, I have been treating acute as well as chronic disorders. I had also completed MHS (Masters of Human Sexuality) in 2014 from SAIHS. Covid-19, Dengue fever, Genetic Disorders, Auto-immune Diseases, Sexual dysfunctions and disorders in males as well as females attract my attention, therefore, I love to solve these cases.
Apart from Homeopathy, I am M.A in English Literature from Punjab University. I have been teaching English at Post Graduate National College Rawalpindi for 7 years. So I am holding two noble professions. I have written more than 7000 articles on different subjects. To be more specific I have authored different websites as well.