Q & A

What is Diarrhea?

The diarrhea is characterized by the passage of liquid and frequent stools per day. Usually, it can be a symptom of an infection in the intestinal tract or a food intolerance reaction. The transmission can start with contaminated food or drinking water; also, another factor is the poor hygiene of the infected person. 

The diarrhea is classified into three clinical types: 

• Acute watery diarrhea: when it lasts several hours or days.
• Acute bloody diarrhea: the stool presents with bloody diarrhea.
• Persistent diarrhea: the intestinal issue lasts 14 days or longer.

Common Causes of Diarrhea in The Heights

The causes include: 

• Infections: caused by a bacterial, viral, or parasitic organism, the infection is common when the environment does not have adequate hygiene and the contamination is spread on common surfaces, which results in easier contagion. 

• Food Intolerance: Lactose, gluten, and histamine are present in some foods eaten daily by US families. Usually, they are included in the children’s diet due to availability, and the parents only realize the intolerance when the symptoms show. 

• Malnutrition: Children who experience malnutrition are more susceptible to diarrhea, and each episode can worsen their condition.

• Other causes include infections transmitted from person to person due to poor personal hygiene. The challenge here is that factors such as saliva and mucus from an infected individual can’t be controlled easily.
  
  As well, unsafe domestic water storage containers or food prepared in unhygienic conditions often include seafood or fish from polluted water.

 Casual Symptoms with Diarrheal Disease

The diarrhea not only involves frequent stools, but other symptoms can also affect your children’s health. You can support your doctor’s diagnosis by paying attention and telling him if your child presents any of the following symptoms: 

• Stomachache or abdominal cramp 
• Vomit and nausea
• Stomach swelling
• Frequent flatulence
• The infection can produce mild fever and body weakness.

Prevention Measures and Treatments 

Taking the correct steps prevents your children from getting the infection and ensures their environment at home. You can start with these main measures: 

• Clean sources or storage containers for the drinking water
• Handwashing 
• Keep excellent food hygiene practices. 
• Often sanitize the common surfaces, even more so the reachable ones for your children. 

Treatments: 

The treatment depends on the infection’s cause and the diagnosis from the doctor, but the main measures that you can use to treat diarrhea at home include the following: 

• Rehydration: Using oral rehydration solution is fundamental to recovering liquids and electrolytes lost in the frequent stools. 
• Adequate diet: exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of your baby’s life and, for your older child, keeping non-irritating food and a bland diet. 
• Health professional consult: If your child’s diarrhea symptoms persist or worsen, they should see a health professional. You can schedule this visit with Dr. Homero Garza on the same day.

Medical Attention for Diarrhea in Heights, Houston

If you are in The Heights, Houston, and your children are experiencing diarrhea symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact us. Ask for our accepted insurances and book an appointment online today!