DIARRHOEA
This is the second most common cause of death in childhood. In diarrhoea, the stools are liquid or semi solid and large volumes of these are passed frequently. There is also vomiting, cramps and abdominal pain. The food passes through the GIT so rapidly that its digestion and absorption is reduced. The faecal matter moves through the colon so fast that water and electrolytes are not reabsorbed.
Frequent and/or prolonged attacks result in loss of fluids, electrolytes, minerals, vitamins, proteins, fats, CHO & as a result, there is loss of body weight. This leads to dehydration.
If diarrhoea occurs more than 14days, it is called persistent diarrhoea.
AETIOLOGY/CAUSES
Acute diarrhoea may be due to
1. Indigestion
2. Poor food hygiene or improperly handled foods (cause infectious diseases)
3. Food intolerance and allergy
4. Infections
5. Virus (rotavirus)
6. 6 .General dietary excesses with fermentation of sugars
7. Excess fibre stimulation of intestinal
8. Excess fibre stimulation of intestinal function
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
1. Frequent loose, water stools
2. Abdominal cramps
3. Abdominal pain
4. Fever
5. Bleeding
6. Light-headedness or dizziness from dehydration.
DIET THERAPY
The first step is to identify the cause and remove it. If diarrhoea is so severe and dehydration has set in, fluids and electrolytes may be given intravenously to let the GIT rest. This is followed by feeding fluids with gradual move to ORT and later to a very low residue diet and then a nutritionally adequate diet .probiotics or its sources can also be given.
HOME FORMULA FOR ORS
Water ─ 1L
Sugar ─ 6 level teaspoons/cubes
Salt ─ ½ level teaspoon.
Or
Oral rehydration therapy/salt formula by WHO in packaged form
This is the second most common cause of death in childhood. In diarrhoea, the stools are liquid or semi solid and large volumes of these are passed frequently. There is also vomiting, cramps and abdominal pain. The food passes through the GIT so rapidly that its digestion and absorption is reduced. The faecal matter moves through the colon so fast that water and electrolytes are not reabsorbed.
Frequent and/or prolonged attacks result in loss of fluids, electrolytes, minerals, vitamins, proteins, fats, CHO & as a result, there is loss of body weight. This leads to dehydration.
If diarrhoea occurs more than 14days, it is called persistent diarrhoea.
AETIOLOGY/CAUSES
Acute diarrhoea may be due to
1. Indigestion
2. Poor food hygiene or improperly handled foods (cause infectious diseases)
3. Food intolerance and allergy
4. Infections
5. Virus (rotavirus)
6. 6 .General dietary excesses with fermentation of sugars
7. Excess fibre stimulation of intestinal
8. Excess fibre stimulation of intestinal function
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
1. Frequent loose, water stools
2. Abdominal cramps
3. Abdominal pain
4. Fever
5. Bleeding
6. Light-headedness or dizziness from dehydration.
DIET THERAPY
The first step is to identify the cause and remove it. If diarrhoea is so severe and dehydration has set in, fluids and electrolytes may be given intravenously to let the GIT rest. This is followed by feeding fluids with gradual move to ORT and later to a very low residue diet and then a nutritionally adequate diet .probiotics or its sources can also be given.
Water ─ 1L
Sugar ─ 6 level teaspoons/cubes
Salt ─ ½ level teaspoon.
Or
Oral rehydration therapy/salt formula by WHO in packaged form
No comments:
Post a Comment