A serious concern for little bodies When diarrhea hits young
children, it can be more than just an uncomfortable nuisance.
This age group is especially sensitive to the loss of
electrolytes that accompanies severe bouts of diarrhea, and they
can become dehydrated very quickly. Back in the 1970s,
infectious diarrhea accounted for about five million childhood
deaths each year. Since then, oral rehydration therapies have
cut the number of infectious diarrhea deaths substantially, but
they don’t do much to shorten the time that the diarrhea
persists. Good bugs for bad bugs Probiotic are defined as “live
microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts
confer a health benefit on the host.” Babies are given their
first “dose” of probiotics as they pass through the birth canal.
After that, the type and amount of bugs that take up residence
in the intestines depends on different factors, including: -
Antibiotic use—Antibiotics kill off good bacteria, along with
the bad. - Probiotic intake—Kefir, yogurt, mis