Acute gastroenteritis is an acute inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa, characterized by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fever. This condition is common in summer and autumn, often caused by improper diet, overeating, or consumption of contaminated food. However, this condition is more likely to occur in babies during the summer. So, what should we do if a baby has acute gastroenteritis in the summer? What should a baby with acute gastroenteritis avoid eating? What are the precautions for a baby with acute gastroenteritis? This article will provide an introduction on these aspects.
What to do if a baby has acute gastroenteritis
1. General treatment
Try to rest in bed. For mild cases, oral glucose-electrolyte solution can be taken to replenish lost fluids. If there is persistent vomiting or obvious dehydration, intravenous administration of 5%-10% glucose saline and other related electrolytes is necessary. Encourage intake of light liquid or semi-liquid food to prevent dehydration or treat mild dehydration.
2. Symptomatic treatment
If necessary, antiemetic and antispasmodic drugs can be injected.
3. Antibacterial treatment
The use of antibiotics for this condition is controversial. For infectious diarrhea, targeted antibiotics can be appropriately chosen. However, misuse should be avoided.
What a baby with acute gastroenteritis should avoid eating
If a baby has acute gastroenteritis, controlling diet is undoubtedly the most important treatment. Acute gastroenteritis is mostly related to indulgence in eating and drinking, so the best method for this condition is to avoid certain foods. Do you know what a baby with acute gastroenteritis should avoid eating?
1. Foods that cause bloating
Including soybeans, tofu, soy milk, mung beans, red beans, etc. Excessive consumption of milk can also cause intestinal bloating, so it should be controlled.
2. Foods high in fiber
Including watermelon, pears, greens, celery, spinach, grapefruit, pomelo, etc. These foods contain a lot of fiber, which can accelerate intestinal peristalsis and worsen diarrhea.
3. Foods high in polysaccharides
Including candies, chocolates, desserts, etc. These foods contain a large amount of sugar, which can cause fermentation in the intestines and worsen bloating.
4. High-protein diet
Including eggs, duck eggs, raw meat, etc., which contain high levels of protein. These foods can easily ferment and spoil in the disrupted intestinal tract, worsening diarrhea.
5. High-fat diet
Including meat, cream, animal organs, etc., which contain high levels of fat and can easily worsen diarrhea.
Precautions for a baby with acute gastroenteritis
1. Patients with acute gastroenteritis should rest in bed and keep warm.
2. The treatment of acute gastroenteritis usually takes three to seven days. In addition to taking medication and fasting for twelve to twenty-four hours, sufficient water must be replenished during the fasting period. It is best to take commercially available "rehydration salts" instead of plain water.
In addition, during the recovery period, patients with acute gastroenteritis may have decreased appetite and can consume light, easily digestible foods, such as porridge, noodles, soda biscuits, apples, bananas, etc. Avoid high-fat fried or smoked fish and meat, high-fiber vegetables and fruits, stimulating beverages, foods, and seasonings.
Treatment recommendations for a baby with acute gastroenteritis
For mild symptoms, self-purchased medications can be used for treatment:
1. Take metoclopramide for nausea and vomiting;
2. Take dicyclomine, belladonna tincture, or bromopride for abdominal pain.
3. Use berberine for diarrhea. If the effect is not satisfactory, take loperamide capsules.
Chinese patent medicines can be selected based on the diagnosis of traditional Chinese medicine:
1. For cold-damp type, it is advisable to disperse cold, dry dampness, and aromaticize turbidity. Take Huoxiang Zhengqi Pills, Liuhe Dingzhong Pills, etc.
2. For summer-heat-dampness type, it is advisable to clear heat, resolve dampness, and regulate the stomach. Take Shu Shi Zhengqi Pills, etc.
3. For stagnation type, it is advisable to promote digestion and resolve stagnation. Take Baohe Pills.
4. For deficiency-cold type, it is advisable to warm the middle, disperse cold, and tonify the spleen and stomach. Take Fuzi Lizhong Pills, Shenling Baizhu Powder, etc.
Through the discussion of what to do if a baby has acute gastroenteritis in the summer, what a baby with acute gastroenteritis should avoid eating, precautions for a baby with acute gastroenteritis, and treatment recommendations, we hope to provide some help for all the parents.
