Patient's question:
Is the effect of "Bao Xiang Zheng Qi Shui" applied to the navel for treating infantile diarrhea effective?Doctor's answer:
After infantile diarrhea, the following measures should be taken:(1) Never fast. Regardless of the cause of diarrhea, the infant's digestive function may be reduced, but it can still digest and absorb some nutrients. Breastfed infants should continue to be breastfed as long as they are hungry. Formula-fed infants can reduce their milk intake by about one-third and add a little water to the milk. If the reduced amount is not enough, you can add salted rice porridge or breastfeed with carrot water or fresh vegetable water to replenish electrolytes and vitamins. Infants who have already started complementary foods like porridge can slightly reduce the amount of these foods. Adjust the feeding based on the infant's thirst.
(2) Ensure adequate fluid intake. Early detection of dehydration. When diarrhea is severe, accompanied by vomiting, fever, thirst, dry lips, little or no urine, sunken eyes, sunken fontanelle, and signs of "weight loss" in the infant (e.g., "sagging" skin, crying without tears), this indicates dehydration. It is important to take the child to the hospital for treatment promptly.
(3) Prevent dehydration. Oral rehydration salts (ORS) should be used to continuously replenish the fluids and electrolytes lost due to diarrhea and vomiting, preventing dehydration. ORS (1000 mL) contains 3.5 g of sodium chloride, 2.5 g of sodium bicarbonate, 1.5 g of potassium chloride, and 20 g of glucose. The dosage should follow medical advice, but the amount and speed of drinking for prevention and treatment are different. ORS has a sugar concentration of 2%. Research has shown that this sugar concentration is most beneficial for facilitating the absorption of salt and water into the body to replenish losses during diarrhea. Its effectiveness is widely recognized worldwide, making it a good medicine for preventing and treating dehydration caused by diarrhea.
(4) Do not overuse antibiotics. Many mild cases of diarrhea do not require antibiotic or anti-inflammatory medications and can resolve on their own. Alternatively, probiotics like MAMAIO or adsorbent medications like Smecta can quickly alleviate symptoms. In particular, autumnal diarrhea is caused by viral infections, so antibiotics are ineffective and may even be harmful. For bacterial dysentery or other bacterial diarrhea, antibiotics can be used, but only under the guidance of a doctor.
(5) Practice good home care. Parents should carefully observe the characteristics, color, frequency, and amount of stool. Any abnormal stool should be saved as a sample for testing to identify the cause of diarrhea. Pay attention to keeping the abdomen warm to reduce intestinal movement, using a towel to wrap the abdomen or applying a warm water bag. Ensure the infant gets plenty of rest, clean the buttocks with warm water after defecation to prevent diaper rash, and thoroughly clean, boil, and dry diapers before reuse.
Most cases of infantile diarrhea are caused by improper feeding and dietary imbalances. Therefore, using the following methods not only provides nutrition but also helps stop diarrhea.