Watery Diarrhea|Vomiting And Diarrhea|Toddler Diarrhea

Newborn Senses

A newborn can respond to and readily differentiate between substances with a number of different taste sensations, such as sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. However, it should come as no surprise that, of all of these, there is a marked preference towards sweet-tasting foods. Further, studies have shown that neonates display a distinct preference for foods that exhibited a smell that reminded them of those that their mother used to eat regularly.

At birth, a neonate has a highly developed sense of smell. This displays itself in its first week of life when it is able to distinguish between the smell from its own mother's breast milk (which provides the main source of nutrition for newborns before they are able to eat and digest other foods), and that from the breast milk of another female.

Infant Mortality

Infant mortality refers to the death of an infant in the first year of its life. It can be characterised in two distinct ways, viz. in terms of neonatal death, which refers to deaths occurring in the first 27 days of life, and in terms of post-neonatal death, referring to deaths after the first 28 days of life.

On this basis, Infant Mortality may be defined as the number of infant (corresponding to the age of one year or younger) deaths for every 1,000 live births. Globally, one of the most common causes of infant mortality has historically been associated with dehydration (which is defined as the excessive loss of water from the body. There are three main types viz. hypotonic (loss of water alone), hypertonic (loss of electrolytes, especially sodium), and isotonic (equal loss of water and electrolytes). The primary cause of such dehydration is diarrhea (which is the condition of having frequent loose or liquid bowel movements. Acute diarrhea is a frequent cause of mortality in developing countries, and is the second most frequent cause of infant mortality worldwide).

Oral Rehydration Therapy, or ORT, is a simple treatment for dehydration associated with diarrhea, especially gastroenteritis (which is inflammation involving the stomach and small intestine that results in acute diarrhea), which may have as its cause, cholera or rotavirus. ORT consists of an aqueous solution of salts (primarily sodium chloride) and sugars which is administered orally. The method is applied globally, and is particularly important in developing countries, and is responsible for saving millions of children a year from death due to diarrhea.

Currently, the most common cause of infant mortality is pneumonia (which is an abnormal, inflamed condition of the lung resulting from infection by way of bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, as well as chemical or physical injury to the lungs). However, other causes of infant mortality include the following:

- Malnutrition
- Malaria
- Congenital Malformation - This refers to defects associated with or damage to a developing fetus
- Infection
- SIDS - Also known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or cot death, it represents a syndrome associated with the sudden death of an infant that is both unexpected, from an historical viewpoint, and also remains unexplained after a thorough forensic examination and a detailed investigation at the scene of death

You have seen this many times; soft, liquidy poop found in a pile on the rug under the kitchen table. In this article I am going to go over the common causes of dog diarrhea, and how it is diagnosed based on the clinical signs. Lastly you will see the more common and most effective at home remedies to be able to stop your dog's diarrhea fast.

Anything that upsets the digestive tract and results in water not being absorbed produces diarrhea. Some common causes include dietary indiscretion (eating compost), parasites (Giardia or Roundworms), food allergy, infectious causes (Salmonella), inflammatory changes (Inflammatory Bowel Disease; similar to Crohn's disease in people), and pancreatic abnormalities (Pancreatic insufficiency, common in German Shepherds).

Diarrhea in dogs is categorized as being either small bowel diarrhea ( it originates from the small intestine), or large bowel diarrhea ( it originates from the colon). Small bowel diarrhea is generally large volume, not very frequent, at times with vomiting and weight loss. The causes of small bowel diarrhea are many, from parasites to infectious agents. Large bowel diarrhea signs include frequent bowel movements, straining, with occasional mucous and blood. Most large bowel diarrhea is classified as colitis, being caused by dietary indiscretion.

Severe diarrhea that results in dehydration is a medical emergency and must be dealt with by your veterinarian. If you have a young unvaccinated dog the diarrhea may have an infectious cause; the dog must be examined by a veterinarian. If your pet is still very alert, active and drinking, then try some of the following home remedies.

Stop putting food into your pet for 24 hours (Day 1). This allows the intestines to rest and regenerate. Always have access to plenty of fresh water. After 24 hours, introduce a bland food for the next 24 hours (Day 2). Plain cooked white rice for dogs, feeding equivalent cups of rice as their normal diet. After a day of the bland food mix 1/2 regular diet and 1/2 bland diet (Day 3). By the end of Day 3, they should be back on their normal diet.

Probiotics help restore the natural bacteria in the intestine, normalizing the intestinal immune system. The most effective supplement is Lactobacillus acidophilus - give 1/4 capsule per 10 lbs of body weight twice daily. I advise probiotics for all cases of diarrhea, but purchase them from a reputable source to ensure the probiotics are active.

Pepto-Bismol is an old standby that can be effective for dogs. The dog dose is 1 ml/10 lbs of body weight given three times daily for no more than 7 days. Imodium (Loperamide) can be used with care, avoid giving it to Collie's or Collie crosses. The dose for dogs is 0.5 mg/10 lbs three times daily (give your 40 lb dog one 2 mg tablet three times daily).

Kaopectate has a newer version that is safer for dogs. It contains attapulgite clay as the active ingredient which binds toxins, decreases the fluid in the intestinal tract and subsequent diarrhea. Dose for dogs: 0.5-1.0 ml per pound by mouth every 4-6 hours. Treatment should only be needed for 1-2 days.

There are a few herbs that I am finding helpful for dog diarrhea. Slippery Elm in the dried form can be helpful for chronic diarrhea, such as inflammatory bowel disease in dogs. The dried herb dose is 20 mg/lb of body weight twice daily. Peppermint helps with intestinal gas and cramping; give 25 mg/lb of body weight twice daily of the dried herb or 1 drop/lb of body weight twice daily of the tincture.

One homeopathic in particular stands out as being especially useful for most cases of diarrhea in dogs. It is called Arsenicum Album, and is my preferred homeopathic remedy for dogs with 'Garbage Gut'. Dose: 1 30C tab per 20lbs every 2-4 hours.

You now should have a good understanding of what the signs and symptoms of dog diarrhea. You should be able to differentiate between large and small bowel diarrhea, and now know when to seek urgent veterinary care, or try some of my suggested home remedies. Now you have a selection of home remedies to use the next time your dog gets diarrhea, and you can now stop your dog's diarrhea fast at home.

Infectious canine hepatitis is a highly contagious disease. The virus that causes this disease can cause damage to your dog's liver as well as other organs. If treatment isn't sought quickly, the disease is usually fatal. Puppies are especially susceptible to life-threatening complications.

Cause

As mentioned earlier, hepatitis in dogs is caused by a virus. The specific virus is canine adenovirus type 1, also referred to as CAV-1. It is transmitted through contact with infected animals and objects. Common objects that can harbor the virus include feces, food bowls, and water dishes. The virus can also be transmitted by parasites such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. In some cases, it can also be inhaled.

Symptoms

Dogs with infectious canine hepatitis develop a wide range of symptoms. They include vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Your dog may also get a high fever. You may also notice that your dog's stomach will appear enlarged. This is caused by the swelling of the liver.

Hepatitis in dogs also causes sensitivity to light. Your dog's eyes will tear when exposed to light. In severe cases of the disease, symptoms include bloody gums, nose, vomit, and diarrhea. It is also common for dogs to experience seizures, which is usually a sight of impending death within days. Some dogs die within hours of showing symptoms.

Diagnosis

This disease is diagnosed based on a physical exam and clinical signs. Blood and urine samples will also be sent to the lab to be analyzed. There is also a test that can detect the presence of the virus in your dog's stool.

Treatment

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for infectious canine hepatitis. Dogs can usually fight the disease on their own as long as they have a healthy immune system. Treatment involves giving the dog intravenous fluids, enemas, and blood transfusions. Since the eyes usually become inflamed, your dog may also be given eye drops to get rid of the inflammation. Even after the disease has been treated, dogs can shed the virus for months after infection. Therefore, your dog will pose a threat of infecting other dogs.

You may be surprised one day as you are going to flush the toilet you notice something out of the ordinary. Your Stool is green. Well don't panic just yet; this may be nothing to get alarmed about.

Causes of Green Feces

The color of our bowel movements reflects the foods that we eat. This could have a lot to do with the green bowel. If you have recently eaten a meal high in rich leafy green vegetables, this could be the culprit. These foods are loaded with chlorophyll, which we all know from elementary school, that chlorophyll is what gives plants their bright green colors. Also, another factor is foods that have high iron contents such as red meats, also tend to cause green bowel. Artificially colored foods are another cause of the green stool. Parents will tend to notice if their child consumed a large number of Popsicles; the green feces may show up. Laxatives and colon cleaners are also known to be a cause of the green bowel.

Risk factors Associated With Green stool

Although vegetarians do not eat meat so the source of their green bowel movement may not be from large amount of red meat, but rather those green leafy vegetables. Babies who are breast-feeding are at risk for developing green stool, due to the high levels of iron in the mother's milk.

Prevention Of Green Bowel Movements

A good way to prevent green feces is to eat a well balanced meal. It is not recommended to totally deplete your iron intake, or eliminate your leafy green vegetables, you may want to slightly just reduce the consumption of these foods and see if you notice a difference.

When to worry about green bowel movement

As mentioned, it is very common for your Bowel movement to be different colors depending on the foods you eat, however if there are other symptoms that develop with the green feces such as a high fever, vomiting, drastic weight loss, or diarrhea then you may want to consult your doctor or or health care professional. These symptoms may be a sign of food poisoning. There are many serious illnesses that have the symptoms starting with green stool. Celiac disease can be indicated through green stool. This is not a life threatening disease, and usually can be treated with a gluten free diet. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a serious disease that can occur due to problems in the intestines and can also be treated with an adjustment to your diet.

Advice about diverticulitis diets divides into two main themes. One approach works best for people who are fighting a crisis situation. The second approach - 180 degrees from the first -- works best when you're not in a crisis and your primary goal is to prevent a future crisis from starting.

In good times, you look to your colon to fulfill a pair of important processes: it optimizes your body's water level, and it collects vitamins that your body needs. It handles material using catastalsis as the method.

You could say that catastalsis causes diverticulitis. Catastalsis is the muscles around the colon wall working together to move material along. If catastalsis squeezes too hard (because your diet is too low in fiber and you're constipated) then there's a good chance that a pouch will pop out through the colon wall.

Doctors call a pouch a "diverticula." The disease of having pouches is called "diverticulosis". Pouches have become more and more common in today's society, because we eat too much processed food and we don't get the fiber that we used to. More than half of all people develop diverticula by the time we're fifty years old, but the vast majority of people don't experience any problems from them.

Diverticulitis crises happen because material gets stuck in a pouch, causing a tear and making the area infected. Doctors call this condition "diverticulitis". Diverticulitis attacks, then, are the times when damaged diverticula bring you sharp pain, bloody stools, constipation/diarrhea, and health risks. The risks can be severe, so be sure to consult your doctor if you're in crisis.

The Crisis Diverticulitis Diet

When you're in a diverticulitis crisis, you want to give your colon a break. You want to stop catastalsis, so you want to cut all fiber out of your diet. It's pretty much impossible to eliminate every bit of fiber from your diet, so experts generally recommend a daily maximum of ten grams.

When you're eliminating fiber from your diet, fill your diet with broths, cooked fruit, and skinned vegetables. Stay away from yogurts and anything containing small seeds.

Once the crisis has passed, you can gradually add more fiber as your colon recovers.

When You're Not in a Crisis

Your high fiber diet will cut the odds of a future diverticulitis crisis. Increased dietary fiber allows catastalsis to operate at a lower pressure because more water is absorbed into the food that you eat.

Diverticulitis diets with large amounts of fiber bring other health benefits as well. High fiber means less "bad" cholesterol in your blood, so you cut your risk of heart disease. Dietary fiber moderates changes in blood sugar, so you're less likely to develop diabetes. Fiber is also linked to weight loss, and some research says it lowers the possibility that you'll develop cancer.

You'll most likely be advised to get 30 to 40 grams of fiber each day. Commercial packaged foods are allowed to advertise that they have "high fiber" if they have more than five grams of fiber in each serving, which means you can plan on eating 6 or 8 servings each day.

You can also get a lot of fiber from foods like bran muffins, cooked cereals, and beans. Surprisingly large amounts of fiber are inside snack foods like apples and bananas, bran-loaded crackers, and apricots.

You might also check out a fiber supplement, preferably one that contains probiotics. A supplement will help you meet your nutrition goals, meet your fiber goals, and still eat the other foods that you love.

This is a controversial issue. Many international travelers pack some Cipro or another antibiotic in case Montezuma's revenge strikes them with a fury. Are antibiotics the right choice for traveler's diarrhea? Is there a risk? What else can travelers do?

Traveler's diarrhea can develop abruptly and can limit your sightseeing to your hotel room toilet. This unlucky event occurs when a traveler ingests bacteria, or less likely a virus, from contaminated food or drink, or from hand to mouth contact. About half of all travelers to the developing world will develop this condition. While it is an unfortunate event, it does have a health benefit as these folks receive an aerobic workout as they sprint towards rest rooms several time a day.

If traveler's diarrhea occurs, travelers can experience relief with Imodium, Pepto Bismol and prayer. Some physicians advise beginning antibiotics instead as even a single dose can shorten the illness. This strategy makes particular sense for travelers who are on a short trip. However, if the stools are bloody or the traveler has a fever, then you should consult with a physician right away as this may not be a simple case of traveler's diarrhea.

Why shouldn't every traveler who is starting to spurt and squirt just reach for some Cipro? The overuse of antibiotics has many serious side-effects. Beyond the expense, excessive antibiotic use breeds resistant germs which can become immune to currently available antibiotics. If Cipro or other antibiotics are taken automatically for traveler's diarrhea, then the new & improved germs that may emerge may cause diarrhea and other illnesses that can't be easily treated. In addition, antibiotics can cause a serious colon infection called C. difficile colitis (known as C. diff), which can be a serious and permanent illness that can change your life. I am a gastroenterologist and have seen patients who became miserable with this condition after only one or two antibiotic pills.

International travelers have many strategies to prevent traveler's diarrhea. Review these precautions with your travel doctor before departure. Be cautious and be prepared. Bring imodium and antibiotics, just in case. You might want to pack your running shoes also. Hopefully, you'll only need them to take afternoon jogs in the park.

The term hemorrhoid is considered a misnomer in that it is actually part of the normal anatomy of human beings but is usually used to pertain to a pathological condition, wherein either the veins or artery of the anorectal area develop into varicosities. There are actually three hemorrhoids or cushions in the anal canal which contribute to anal pressure, maintaining continence, and serve a protective function during the passing of stools. However, in line with the common usage, hemorrhoids will be referred to from this point onward as the abnormal condition. The causes of hemorrhoids can be attributed to a variety of lifestyle and genetic factors.

The following will detail the top three causes of hemorrhoids and how they contribute to the development of the abnormality:

1) Chronic constipation or diarrhea. Any abnormality in the bowel movement can serve as a predisposing factor to the development of hemorrhoids. Constipation is the irregular bowel movement of hard to pass stools while diarrhea is defined as three or more bowel movement of loose and watery stools in a day. Chronic constipation can lead to the development of hemorrhoids because of the increased intra-abdominal pressure from straining which causes a subsequent increase in the pressure of the veins leading to varicosities. Diarrhea, on the other hand, can be one of the less common causes of hemorrhoids. It leads to the development of the condition because of the constant irritation of the anorectal area, which causes inflammation.

2) Obesity. This is defined as the condition of being twenty percent overweight. Obesity causes the development of hemorrhoids because of the increased pressure in the veins of the anorectal area. The excess weight bears down on the veins, especially in dependent parts (areas of the body affected by the pull of gravity), causing distention.

3) Pregnancy. Development of hemorrhoids can occur during the peripartum period or during the delivery of the baby. This is considered as one of the common causes of hemorrhoids in women. During the peripartum period, the increase in circulating fluid or the enlarging uterus can cause pressure in the veins below it. During the delivery period, the prolonged straining can lead to the development of hemorrhoids.

Most children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have limited treatment options, because their doctors believe that stimulant medication is the best way to manage the condition. Although ADHD medication does provide short-term relief, long-term use can lead to many health and neurological consequences. Due to Western medicine's myopic perspective on the disorder, many children are denied alternative treatment options that bring long-term relief with no side effects.

Natural remedies for ADHD begin with finding the root cause of the disorder, and research suggests that nutritional deficiencies are some of the primary triggers of hyperactivity and inattention. Magnesium is usually among these deficient nutrients. It is one of the most abundant minerals in the human body, with 50% stored with calcium in the bones. The rest of the body's magnesium is used for over 300 chemical functions, such as regulating blood pressure, assisting the immune system, and maintaining normal nerve and muscle functions. Above everything, however, magnesium is thought to be the "relaxation mineral.". It can induce a calm state without causing lethargy and sluggishness, and enables the mind to think clearly and focus on tasks.

A magnesium deficiency is caused by numerous things. Because the two minerals are biologically interlocked, a magnesium deficiency is sometimes linked to a calcium deficiency. Leaky gut syndrome, or a damaged gastrointestinal tract, can also account for a magnesium deficiency. Most of the time, however, the lack of magnesium in meals causes the deficiency. These days, a child's meals are primarily made up of refined sugar, white flour, and processed foods, which deplete the body's magnesium during digestion. It is hardly surprising that the symptoms of a magnesium deficiency resemble the symptoms of ADHD: poor memory, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and hypersensitivity to sounds.

Treating a magnesium deficiency is not difficult, but it will require some dietary and lifestyle changes. First, you need to add magnesium-rich foods to your child's diet. Slowly eliminate all junk food, refined sugars, and soda from your child's diet and replace them with magnesium-rich green vegetables like broccoli, lettuce, and spinach. All leafy green vegetables are excellent sources of magnesium, because this mineral is the base atom of chlorophyll. Other foods that contain magnesium are whole unrefined grains, seeds, nuts, black beans, tofu, and seafood like tuna, oysters, and scallops.

Depending on the advice of your child's nutritionist, you may also want to give your child multivitamins or magnesium supplements. Use magnesium supplements in absorbable forms like magnesium glycinate or magnesium glycerophosphate. Several studies also suggest that magnesium is best taken together with vitamin B6. Never give your child magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, or magnesium sulphate; not are these forms poorly absorbed, but they can cause diarrhea in high doses. However, magnesium sulfate also comes in a powdered form like Epsom salts, which can be added to a hot bath to induce calmness and relaxation.

If you have any questions about magnesium supplementation or putting your child on an ADHD diet, seek the advice of a holistic practitioner or a nutritionist.

Bowel movements can speak volumes about your overall health. Read about the following types and compare them to your own movements to see what they indicate about your own health.

1. The movements appear to be separate, hard lumps. They have the appearance of small nuts or animal droppings. Such abnormally had bowel movements suggest constipation, and result from a slow bowel transit time. This also indicates that your risk of developing piles and other bowel diseases.

2. Sausage shaped, but lumpy. Much the same as type 1, this will indicate constipation and other bowel problems. The solution to both of these could be to increase the amount of fibre in your diet

3. Sausage shaped, very smooth and soft. This is ideal, and indicates good health. Ideally you should be having this type of movement about once or twice per day.

4. Soft, easily passed sticky blobs that may stick to the toilet. This type of movement is highly indicative of a poor diet. If you have this type, you should consider eating more fruit and vegetables and cutting out the fatty foods.

5. Fluffy, jagged pieces that tend to float. Any type that is overly loose indicates diarrhea. You should seek advice from your doctor.

6. Watery with no solid pieces. Similar to above, you likely have diarrhea and should seek medical advice. This is usually caused by an underlying illness of infection as opposed to simply dietary habits. So next time you visit the lavatory, have a look and see what you can learn about your overall health.

When you are a parent, I am fairly sure the words constipation and toddlers in the exact same sentence can certainly produce a chill down your spine.

A constipated toddler can encounter a lot of pain and a parent can feel quite frustrated. Adult constipation is defined as when an adult encounters two to three or less bowel movements during a 7-day period, even so mixing constipation and toddlers is really different.

A child doesn't have a normal number of bowel movements. You can find a few habits in their bowel movements and issues such as activity level, fluid volume intake, fiber intake and ignoring the urge to defecate all have an effect on the pattern.

So, in a situation whenever you may be coping with a constipated toddler, here are some things that will help you resolve this issue.

Treatment for a Constipated Toddler can definitely start with prevention.

Dehydration - This is often overlooked, but when dealing with a constipated toddler, this could be the cause. If your child isn't getting an adequate amount of fluids then their stools can become rather hard. Normally this results in a child's stool hardening therefore causing constipation. So by working to continue to keep your kid properly hydrated you'll be able to help towards the prevention of constipation.

Low fiber - This is another challenge when it comes to toddlers.. Without an adequate quantity of grams of fiber for each day, your child has an greater chance of being constipated. Widespread and generally favorite childhood foods include those such as milk, cheese, and peanut butter, which are recognized to be constipating. I know this may be difficult but strongly encourage bulk fiber food items for example wheat bread, whole grain goodies and fresh greens can help your child to decrease their problem with constipation.

Too busy to go potty - which is common in toddlers, can certainly make the issue a whole lot worse. A lot of times, a constipated child will feel the need to go to the rest room, but if your child is busy playing, they will sometimes overlook the feeling. When a child experiences pain when trying to use the bathroom, things sometimes get a little more difficult.

Great News!

I know that having a constipated toddler is not fun and games, but never panic, there is a lot that can be worked on to cope with the problem.. In these modern times, anybody can easily Google a problem like your doing right now and find so many answers.

Every parent is different, some parents are calm and don't stress the situation. Others think the worst and get very nervous when dealing with a constipated toddler. Either way, educate yourself about the problem to know where you stand then take action. To find out what worked for me check out the link below.