When children develop intestinal obstruction, it is life threatening. Approximately five hours following this event the child may pass blood via the rectum and it is essential to seek medical help urgently. Imbibing contaminated food or water and lack of proper sanitary facilities are the two major reasons for children developing diarrhoea. Some children may have an allergy to cow s milk and this may produce diarrhoea. A variety of viruses and bacteria cause diarrhoea.
Diarrhoea causes loss of water content from the body, resulting in dehydration.
To prepare ORS, add a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of sugar to one tumbler of boiled water and stir the solution well. The child should be given this solution from the first few hours of the onset of diarrhoea. If the child starts vomiting or if the eyes become sunken rush to the doctor. If the diarrhoea persists, it is a common practice to lay the blame on an evil eye cast on the child and often faith healing is resorted to. While elders advise a host of remedies based on faith it is important not to ignore or delay medical attention for the child.