Natick Pediatrics, PC

Dear Dr. Lindeman,
What is diarrhea and what can I do about it?

By definition diarrhea is a sudden increase in the number and looseness of bowel movements. One or two loose bowel movements in a day is not diarrhea.

The most common cause of diarrhea is a viral infection of the intestines ("stomach bug" or "stomach flu"). Only rarely do bacteria or parasites cause diarrhea. Other causes include excessive juice intake (so-called "toddler's diarrhea"), or food allergy.

Diarrhea becomes a problem if a diaper rash develops, or if the child becomes dehydrated (see below).

Home Treatment

Do not give any medicine designed to slow down or stop diarrhea! This will only lengthen the time your child is sick!
There are many right ways to feed a child with diarrhea and very few wrong ways. Water and Pedialyte are good starting fluids. In general, you should avoid juices with a high sugar content. These juices are difficult to absorb and tend to worsen diarrhea. Apple juice and orange juice seem to be the worst offenders. If your child insists on apple or orange, dilute them at least 1:1.
Start solids slowly. There is no ideal solid food to start first and no ideal sequence in which to introduce solids. In general you should avoid milk and milk-products until the diarrhea has slowed down. If the child refuses anything but milk products, you may dilute them 1:1, but do so only for the first 24 hours: a child needs those calories!

Call us immediately at 508-655-9699 if

Your child does not make urine for 12 hours (this may be hard to tell in a diapered child)
Your child makes no tears when crying
Your child's tongue and inside cheeks become dry
Blood appears in the diarrhea
Your child develops severe stomach cramps
Your child has one bowel movement per hour for 8 or more hours in a row
Your child becomes dizzy, confused, or difficult to awaken
Your child begins acting very sick

Call during call-hour at 508-655-9699 if

There is mucus or pus in the diarrhea
Your toilet-trained child loses bowel control
Your child has a fever for more than 72 hours
The diarrhea lasts longer than one week
You have other concerns or questions

Lincoln Medical Building
61 Lincoln Street, Suite 210
Framingham, MA 01702

(508) 655-9699
(508) 655-2984 fax

Updated: 10/30/02

Dear Dr. Lindeman,
What is diarrhea and what can I do about it?

By definition diarrhea is a sudden increase in the number and looseness of bowel movements. One or two loose bowel movements in a day is not diarrhea.

The most common cause of diarrhea is a viral infection of the intestines ("stomach bug" or "stomach flu"). Only rarely do bacteria or parasites cause diarrhea. Other causes include excessive juice intake (so-called "toddler's diarrhea"), or food allergy.

Diarrhea becomes a problem if a diaper rash develops, or if the child becomes dehydrated (see below).

Home Treatment

Do not give any medicine designed to slow down or stop diarrhea! This will only lengthen the time your child is sick!
There are many right ways to feed a child with diarrhea and very few wrong ways. Water and Pedialyte are good starting fluids. In general, you should avoid juices with a high sugar content. These juices are difficult to absorb and tend to worsen diarrhea. Apple juice and orange juice seem to be the worst offenders. If your child insists on apple or orange, dilute them at least 1:1.
Start solids slowly. There is no ideal solid food to start first and no ideal sequence in which to introduce solids. In general you should avoid milk and milk-products until the diarrhea has slowed down. If the child refuses anything but milk products, you may dilute them 1:1, but do so only for the first 24 hours: a child needs those calories!

Call us immediately at 508-655-9699 if

Your child does not make urine for 12 hours (this may be hard to tell in a diapered child)
Your child makes no tears when crying
Your child's tongue and inside cheeks become dry
Blood appears in the diarrhea
Your child develops severe stomach cramps
Your child has one bowel movement per hour for 8 or more hours in a row
Your child becomes dizzy, confused, or difficult to awaken
Your child begins acting very sick

Call during call-hour at 508-655-9699 if

There is mucus or pus in the diarrhea
Your toilet-trained child loses bowel control
Your child has a fever for more than 72 hours
The diarrhea lasts longer than one week
You have other concerns or questions

Natick Pediatrics, PC
Lincoln Medical Building
61 Lincoln Street, Suite 210
Framingham, MA 01702

(508) 655-9699
(508) 655-2984 fax

Updated: 10/30/02