What are the common childhood digestive problems?

Causes of digestive problems in childhood, however, the symptoms are almost always present as nausea, bloating, tummy ache, diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration, or constipation

What are the common causes of digestive issues in children?

Irregular and unhealthy eating habits contribute to most of the digestive issues in children. Food poisoning is very common in recent times as the present global scenario is abundant with a severe addiction to junk food prepared with dangerous ingredients and processed in an unhealthy cooking style.   Conditions like indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, colitis, or an allergic reaction to food can cause digestive issues. Intolerance to gluten, lactose, or any other food also can cause digestive issues. Intestinal parasites are often a cause of digestive problems in children.  Ailments like respiratory infections, stress, and mental disturbances can trigger digestive issues

When to see a doctor or seek medical attention?

Attention is to be given if the pain or any of the symptoms are severe and persisting. If pain is chronic and accompanied by weight loss or if the pain is acute and accompanied by fever, significant vomiting, severe diarrhoea, blood in the stool or vomit, or pain in the upper right or lower right abdomen immediate medical attention is must

What are the common digestive diseases in children? What are the home remedies?

• Indigestion: Tummy ache, bloating, burping, nausea and vomiting are the initial symptoms that may progress to diarrhoea later. Improper food intake is the main cause. Correction of the same is the long-term remedy. In an episode of indigestion, a spoon of fresh ginger juice with honey or powdered cumin with buttermilk or water boiled with roasted cumin and asafoetida are a few trustable remedies
• Tummy Ache: Tummy ache is the most common presentation of an upset gut. This presents as dull aches, cramps, shifting pain, and many other types of pains that are difficult for a child to explain. If the pain is accompanied by other symptoms and is very severe immediate medical attention is required. The remedy depends on the site of the pain. If it is on the upper part antacids are to be given. Fresh ginger, cinnamon powder, liquorice, and cardamom powder are good. If it is in the middle part dry ginger and cloves are the options. If the pain is in the lower part carminatives like cumin and asafoetida are the choices. All these can be given in the form of medicated water. Fomenting with warm water after applying castor oil is always a good remedy for tummy ache
• Constipation: Sinking stool or hard dry stool, less than three bowel movements a week, difficulty passing bowels, pain, traces of liquid or pasty stool in the underwear, blood-stained stool, loss of appetite, bloating, and general irritability are indications of constipation. Proper healthy eating habits with sufficient chewing, concentration on eating, and inclusion of soft fresh well-cooked warm food, fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, and 3-4 liters of medicated warm water can help cure constipation. The practice of Dinacharya where toilet training is a major element can help shape the child into a healthy individual
• Vomiting: If the child vomits more than 2 times, it is an indication for medical attention. If the vomiting is once or twice ginger juice with honey or lemon juice with ginger juice or pomegranate juice with rock salt or betel juice with honey can be given
• Diarrhoea: If the loose stools are very frequent and accompanied by fever, vomiting, and bloody stools and the child is getting dehydrated immediate medical attention is required. In mild cases, if the stool is watery and smelly keep giving 100 ml of plain warm water every 15 minutes. Monitor for signs of dehydration. If the stools are watery and not foul-smelling give water boiled with pomegranate skin or porridge of Malar (Laja-Kurmura-Puffed Rice-Nocake) with sugar and grated ginger. Tender coconut water with honey is also a very nutritious hydrant. Bilwa-Bael juice with sugar candy is also good
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Regurgitation of stomach acid is a common gastric-related issue in children. If it progresses onto a chronic stage it is termed GERD. Loss of appetite and taste, bitterness in the mouth, burping, heartburn, vomiting, upper tummy ache, hiccups, choking, or gagging are the common symptoms. Restriction of spicy food, daily Yoga, enough intake of water, avoiding fast eating, and proper sleeping habits are the lifestyle changes that help cure GERD. Coriander, cinnamon, dry ginger, fennel, etc. are useful spices.
• Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders (EGID): Caused by increased eosinophils in the gut, this is similar to an allergic reaction and presents as difficulty in swallowing, gut swelling, bloating tummy ache, and discomfort. A healthy lifestyle with most mealtimes at home eating fresh warm light food can help control the condition. Excessive use of fried food, red meat, spices, and sugary food is to be avoided. Ginger and coriander are to be included in daily food
• Lactose Intolerance: This is commonly known as milk allergy where the body reacts to lactose as there is insufficiency or non-availability of the enzyme lactase that digests lactose. Symptoms usually show between 30 minutes to 2 hours after lactose-containing food. Bloating, nausea, tummy cramps, pain, diarrhoea, and vomiting are the common symptoms. Panchakarma and conditioning along with Rasayana therapy is the solution in Ayurveda. Home-pasteurized single cow milk is to be preferred. Milk is to be boiled with spices like turmeric, garlic, or dry ginger
• Celiac Disease: The disease is a serious reaction to gluten, a protein in wheat, barley, and rye. This is commonly known as a gluten allergy or wheat allergy. Bloating, constipation, tummy ache, nausea, and other symptoms are seen. Symptoms vary from child to child. If this disease gets chronic it can cause malnutrition in a child by damaging the inner lining of the small intestine and affecting nutrient absorption. Rice is better for these children. Soft cooked or double-cooked cereals are to be given. Ayurveda Panchakarma and Rasayana treatments that strengthen the digestive system can be done and a conditional monitored intake of wheat can be introduced and slowly the digestive system is trained to digest gluten.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are the common inflammations seen in children which may continue to adulthood and impair the quality of life. Frequent bowel movements with blood or mucus, occasional constipation, tummy ache, joint pain, and eye irritation are the common symptoms. Chronic cases progress to malnutrition, weight loss, developmental problems, irritability, anxiety, stress, kidney stones, liver disease, and osteoporosis Diet changes and Yoga are the ways to control IBD. Mukkudi is a dietary preparation in Ayurveda that is very useful in IBD. Panchakarma therapies that include Vasthi are also very effective. Spices like dry ginger and fenugreek are to be part of the diet. Eating habits and chewing of food have to be monitored.

What are the general principles to be adopted to prevent digestive issues in children?

• Use fresh cooked warm light soft food
• Drink a few sips of water before food and sip between meals
• Let the food be balanced nutritionally and palatable to the child
• Let the food be local, seasonal, and attractive
• Use healthy fat in each meal preferably cow butter or cow ghee
• Do not overfeed the child. Stop when the child says he/she is full
• Feed only when the child is hungry
• Follow proper mealtimes according to the bio-rhythm and train the child accordingly
• Discourage frequent eating and binge eating
• Serve the food which is according to the season and climate
• Insist to eat in the destined eating place with desired articles
• Discourage the use of gadgets and TV while eating
• Train the child to concentrate all five senses and mind on food and enjoy each bolus
• Discourage eating in a hurry
• Discourage eating very slowly
• Discourage talking or laughing while eating
• Teach and train to respect food

For more details and queries on Child Health and Digestive Issues in Children  please feel free to

• Talk to Dr. Valsaladevi K Specialist Consultant in Child Health of Sarathy Ayurvedic Hospital, an expert in child health, developmental disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorders with a clinical experience of 28 years

• Mail us at mails2sarathy@gmail.com
• WhatsApp us on +91-9895142321
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SARATHY AYURVEDIC HOSPITAL DOCTORS PANEL

• Dr. Lathika PK-Specialist in Panchakarma, Stroke Rehabilitation and Ayurveda Cancer Care
• Dr. Valsaladevi K-Specialist in Panchakarma, Child Health, Ayurveda Diet, and Yoga Therapy 
• Dr. Karthik K Nandan-Specialist in Conventional Orthopaedics, Marma and Varicose Veins
• Dr. Gayatri S-Specialist in Women Health, Cosmetology, and Fertility