Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology Specialist Dr. Hakan Erkman said that summer heat increases cases of diarrhea in children.
In Adana, one of the hottest provinces in Turkey, temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius. As such, food poisoning and pediatric diarrhea cases are increasing.
“Sudden temperature changes are the biggest cause of summer diarrhea”
Acıbadem Adana Hospital Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology Specialist Dr. Hakan Erkman spoke to İhlas News Agency. Dr. Erkman said, “Summer diarrhea is a disease that we frequently encounter in the childhood age group, especially with the warming of the weather, which causes serious problems when necessary precautions are not taken. Since it causes a lot of fluid loss, children experience serious problems. I would like to warn parents about one thing; having diarrhea once is not a sign that the child is sick. They should pay attention; if the stool of the child is liquid 3 or 4 times in 24 hours, we call it diarrhea. However, it should be kept in mind that babies also have liquid stools during breastfeeding. Since the content of breast milk is largely digested, the baby's stool is liquid. At the same time, these babies poop frequently. These are normal.” Emphasizing that the most important cause of diarrhea seen in summer is microbes, Dr. Erkman said, “In addition to microbial diarrhea, excessive consumption of sugary foods, overeating, side effects of various medications such as antibiotics and excessive and sudden temperature changes lead to summer diarrhea.”
“Hygiene is very important”
Emphasizing that hygiene is the most important method of protection against germs, Erkman said, “Microbially, viruses and parasites cause summer diarrhea. These microbes can reproduce and spread more quickly in summer. It is necessary to wash hands frequently to protect against microbial diseases. Hygiene in food and drinks is also very important. Drinking unclean water, eating vegetables and fruits washed with this water, consuming foods kept in hot environments means taking harmful bacteria into our bodies. There is also an increase in food poisoning in summer. Unlike diarrhea, food poisoning causes diarrhea when the toxins of the bacteria on the food accumulate in the intestines. Other symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness and weakness,” he said.
“Pay attention to food”
Pediatric Diseases and Pediatric Hematology Specialist Dr. Hakan Erkman, who explained what should be considered when consuming foods, said, “Eggs and poultry meat are risky in summer. Unpasteurized milk and dairy products, rice pilaf waiting for a long time, pasta waiting for a long time, poorly washed vegetables and fruits, poorly cooked seafood can also cause food poisoning and diarrhea. Symptoms of summer diarrhea are loss of appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain, if there are 3-4 watery stools a day, it indicates diarrhea of small intestine origin, if there are 10 and milk, it indicates diarrhea of large intestine origin. This is dangerous if water loss is excessive.”
“Breast milk is important for the first 6 months”
Emphasizing the importance of breast milk in babies for the first 6 months, Dr. Erkman said, “In children, the feeling of thirst, dryness in the mouth and lips can manifest itself as dehydration. Acceleration in pulse rate, collapse in eyeballs can manifest itself as other symptoms. The amount of urine may decrease. For those who are sick, plenty of fluids, lean pasta, lean meatballs, buttermilk, rice pilaf, boiled potatoes and yogurt should be preferred. In sick babies receiving breast milk, breast milk should be continued, it is very important for babies to receive only breast milk for the first 6 months after birth.”
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