Belly cramps, diarrhea, and the consequent sad and often teary eyes. Every mother knows that summer is a time when enteric problems are lurking for their children. The warm climate favors the possibility of spending more hours in the open air, and to enjoy the much deserved holidays. However, this also means little hands that touch a bit of everything, more contact with other people, which may not be healthy, meals often consumed outside, not always in optimal hygienic conditions, foods that may not have been stored properly, heatstroke but also temperature changes and cold spells due to air conditioning.
Unfortunately, children are fragile and therefore more at risk of diarrhea. It is a common disorder, and usually heals on its own, but should not be underestimated. Suffice it to say that for the youngest, especially in the first year of life, it represents the leading cause of death in developing countries. Fortunately, however, it is manageable without major risks in developed countries.
Diarrhea is a form of defense, it allows the body to expel potentially toxic or harmful substances, bacteria, parasites or undigested food waste. If it is an isolated episode, with one or two discharges, it should not cause concern. We recommend a slightly white diet, with boiled rice and steamed carrots, and lots of liquids, such as decaffeinated tea and herbal teas, such as chamomile, or fresh citrus juices.
A persistent form, but can imply viral or bacterial infections. It is advisable to intervene promptly, especially when administering abundant liquids. In fact, dehydration can be all the more dangerous as the baby is small. Some signs and symptoms may represent alarm bells in this regard:

• high heart rate (> 90 / min)

• low blood pressure with further pressure drop when standing up

• dehydrated appearance of the skin and mucous membranes

• sunken eyes

• sleepy state.

In the youngest and in newborns, pay attention to the sagging of the fountain on the top of the head, to the crying without tears, to the dehydrated appearance of skin and mucous membranes, to the diaper if it remains dry for more than three hours.
The loss of fluids is associated with that of mineral salts, and the consequent state of altered permeability of the intestinal barrier can cause nutrient malabsorption. The number of feedings should be increased and infested with probiotics. In general, it is advisable to keep the baby warm, a warm towel on the stomach will help to relieve abdominal pain. To manage emergencies better, there are natural products suitable for quickly containing symptoms. Diosmectite, for example, is particularly useful and rapid. It is a natural clay characterized by a crystalline structure in very thin superimposed lamellas which gives it a high adsorbent power, such as to make it able to incorporate the liquids present in the intestinal lumen thus increasing the consistency of the stools. It is advisable to take this clay with mineral salts, thereby counteracting the risk of dehydration resulting from diarrhea and favoring the restoration of the salt and water balance.
Furthermore, the adsorbing power of Diosmectite allows interacting with the glycoproteins of the mucous film that covers the gastroduodenal wall, modifying its physical characteristics to form a protective gel. It is obviously important to respect the indications of the product leaflets, even if over the counter.
If the signs of dehydration are evident and the disorders are very pronounced, the advice is to consult the pediatrician. Do not administer medications that require a medical prescription (such as antispasmodics, painkillers) on your own initiative and do not stop a treatment prescribed by your doctor unless he suggests it.
The anti-diarrhea decalogue
Protecting your child from diarrhea is possible, thanks to a series of virtuous behaviors that limit the risk of getting sick:
1. Personal hygiene. Wash your hands frequently and properly, especially after going to the bathroom or before handling food or dishes. In fact, diarrhea can be caused by contact with viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Wash hands after changing diapers, disinfecting the changing mat.
2. Balanced diet. Most of the diet must come from carbohydrates, 15% from proteins and about 25-30% from fats, and at most 10% Kcal from saturated fats. Prefer olive oil to others, especially the generic seed oil. Reduce the salt, always preferring the iodized one. Yes to fruits and vegetables, no to foods with other sugar concentrations. Finally, a radical change of diet is not recommended, because it can alter children’s digestive system and facilitate the appearance of diarrhea. Avoid spicy foods for the little ones.
3. Proper hydration. Helping children drink plenty of water helps reduce the risk of dehydration and eliminate toxins and infections in the body. Better than the water contained in the bottle. Avoid caffeinated, carbonated or sugary drinks.
4. Hygiene in food preparation. When preparing meals, it is important to pay the utmost attention to the hygienic handling and preparation of food, especially when temperatures are high.
5. Store food properly. Keep perishable foods in the refrigerator/freezer, and do not interrupt the cold chain unless it is close to the time to feed them. It is advisable to avoid eating meat, salads, and sauces that have been kept at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Food that is not stored (or not treated) optimally can become a source of infection.
6. Pay attention to the origin of the food. For example, better not to give in to the temptation to buy food from street vendors.
7. No to undercooked foods. Carefully cook food, especially meat and eggs, avoid sauces made with raw eggs. Also, the consumption of raw or undercooked seafood is not advisable. Avoiding unpasteurized milk can be a source of infection. Yes to yogurt, rich in enzymes that protect the intestine.
8. Take natural supplements with you so that you can intervene promptly in case of need and rebalance the intestine, thus limiting dehydration
9. Do not administer antibiotics unless expressly indicated by your doctor. These drugs alter the intestinal bacterial flora and can, therefore, expose to acute infections, the cause of diarrhea.
10. Beware of swimming pools and stagnant watercourses. Water can be contaminated with viruses that cause diarrhea. The advice is to let the child take a shower immediately afterward. Some tricks: do not change diapers near the edges of the tank, have the child refrain from swimming in the pool for a couple of weeks after diarrhea, to avoid infecting others.