When Children Have Stomach Problems, Avoid Making These 6 Mistakes

Illustration does this when a child has stomach problems (Freepic/master1305)

YOGYAKARTA When a child has stomach problems, it's better not to do wrong treatment. For example, when a child vomits, the fault of treating it can trigger the risk of illness. According to pediatrician Tanya Remer Alton, MD., FAAD., when your child vomits and you do whatever it takes to stop it without knowing what is right, this is dangerous. What needs to be done is to make the children feel as comfortable as possible and avoid the following mistakes.

Soon after vomiting, children may want to drink water. But it's not good to let them immediately drink a glass of water after vomiting. This is because the stomach is likely to get inflamed, so wait 15-30 minutes before giving them any drink. According to pediatrician Vipul Singla, MD., reported by Parents, Friday, January 17, immediately gave him a glass of water to drink after vomiting, maybe vomit again. The suggestion, start with a tablespoon of water or drink electrolyte drinks to help hydrate the intestine.

If the child stops vomiting, increasing the drinking frequency can be every 10 minutes with a small size. After two to three hours, you can give fresh sweet foods such as jelly or apple sauce. But don't assume the children have recovered after they stop vomiting. Most stomach diseases, diarrhea can last up to a week. This can be accompanied by mild fever, headache, chills, and body aches. If fever and vomiting or diarrhea never subsides, take the child to the pediatrician immediately.

Giving children free stomach pain medicines should be avoided, unless your doctor approves it. These drugs can cause side effects in children and worsen their disease. Especially antidiare drugs that contain personal and salicylic substances. This causes Reye syndrome, a rare disease but has the potential to be fatal in children under 18 years of age. Doctors also do not recommend drugs with Imodium content, an Iopectate- I-D in Ioperamide because they slow down digestion and make germs that cause diarrhea last longer in the child's intestines.

Fever or high body temperature is a sign that the child's immune system works against infection. However, if the temperature exceeds 38.33 Celsius and the child feels unwell, lower the body temperature by getting enough to drink.

The best is drinking mineral water. It also provides electrolyte drinks. Avoid drinking juice because it can worsen digestive condition.

Drinking milk and fruit juice may be the simplest way to feed nutritious food to children. But when a child has diarrhea or stomach problems, pay attention to the effects afterward.

Giving milk may not be okay, but it must start with a small amount first. If diarrhea gets worse, stop drinking milk. It can also provide probiotics or yogurt with an active living culture. If children still drink breast milk, it doesn't matter because breast milk contains antibodies and nutrients that help their stomach pain recover.

The BRAT diet, consuming bananas, rice, apple or apple sauce, and grilled bread. This diet helps to overcome diarrhea. But for children it should not be done more than one day.

According to pediatrician Jennifer Shu, MD., FAAP., food on the BRAT diet does help restore normal digestion. But other nutrients such as protein are also needed for recovery. Doctor Shu's advice, avoid fatty foods such as chicken nuggets, French fries, and pizza for a few days. Make sure your child drinks a lot of fluids until the symptoms are completely gone.

After the child's condition improves, make sure sanitation is clean. This is because the virus remains in the child's intestines and comes out through pain for a few weeks after symptoms disappear. Make sure to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds every corner from the bathroom. If your child is still wearing a diapers, rub your hands after each time you change diapers. Don't share towels, drinks, or food with your child. And because germs can live in places like door handles and toys for a few hours or even days, clean or disinfect them regularly.

In addition to avoiding mistakes in caring for children when experiencing stomach problems, also recognize every symptom that requires immediate examination of a doctor. If a child is diarrhea and vomiting without swallowing a drink or food, take it immediately to the doctor. Especially when showing symptoms of dehydration, such as dark urine, not urinating, concave eyes and pale face, and not shedding tears when crying. When children are diarrhea more than once an hour also needs attention, it is also necessary to immediately take them to see a doctor.