Keep Your Kid Safe from Summer Digestion Problems this Summer

Summer is the season of bright sunshine, long vacations, pool fun, and tasty ice creams. It is the perfect time for our little ones to indulge in exciting outdoor adventures with their friends and siblings.

However, along with these beautiful childhood joys comes the increased risk of summer digestion issues.

Scorching heat, routine changes, and unhealthy food intake can wreak havoc on your child’s sensitive digestive system. But fret not.

This comprehensive guide will inform you about the most common summer digestion problems in kids, their primary causes, and easy tips to keep them safe from these pestering issues. Let’s start:

Top causes of summer digestion problems

Children have a sensitive digestive system during their growth years. Their dietary system is still developing, making it vulnerable to disease-causing germs. Let’s delve into the leading causes of summer digestive problems in kids:

• Kids love eating outside food without considering its hygiene. Their cravings make them susceptible to health ailments like diarrhea, dehydration, stomach infections, vomiting, and more.
• Summer heat leads to dehydration in kids. The issue disrupts the level of fluids and electrolytes in the body, affecting digestion.
• Ice creams, juices, and popsicles are the tasty summer treats. However, they have high sugar content in them. Excessive sugar intake spoils gut health immensely.
• Food spoilage is a common occurrence in the hot weather. Spoiled food supports the growth of bacteria, leading to food poisoning.
• Summer vacations change the eating schedules and mealtimes of kids. This nurtures bacteria growth, causing digestive issues.

After learning about the causes of summer digestion problems, let’s talk about the most common gut problems kids experience during this season.

Common summer digestion problems in kids

Given below are some of the stomach-related problems witnessed in kids during the summer months:

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is one of the most frequently occurring summer health problems in kids. The infected child experiences loose or frequent motions, dehydration, and stomach ache. Generally, diarrhea happens when your little ones come in contact with contaminated food or water. However, it can also be caused by exposure to viral infections or overconsumption of some fruits.

Dehydration

Soaring summer temperatures drain the fluid content in your kid’s body. Their habit of skipping water throughout the day worsens this condition. All this leads to dehydration and constipation. The most common signs of dehydration are dry mouth, infrequent urination, fatigue, etc.

Gastrointestinal Infection

Gastrointestinal infection or stomach flu is common in kids during the summer. It happens due to the consumption of unhygienic food and dirty water. Kids eating street foods like pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, etc., will likely face this issue. The main symptoms of a stomach infection are stomach pain, nausea, fever, vomiting, and dehydration.

Heat-induced illnesses

The aggressive heat waves in summer can increase existing digestive problems or create new ones in kids. Heatstroke, exhaustion, and fatigue are some problems from exposure to excessive heat.

Tips for a healthy summer gut in kids

Prevention is better than cure. This popular proverb teaches us the importance of stopping a problem from occurring instead of dealing with its consequences.

The list below mentions some easy-to-follow tips and strategies to safeguard your kid’s gut health in the summer. Let’s check them:

Healthy Eating

Your kid’s digestive health depends on the food they eat. Where street food can spoil digestion, a balanced diet can replenish it. This is why it is advised to include summer fruits and vegetables in your child’s routine platter.

These seasonal food items provide your little one with all the essential nutrients and fire. They also help in keeping them hydrated on sunny days.

The most popular summer foods to include in your kid’s diet are watermelon, cucumber, oranges, berries, mangoes, tomatoes, sweet corn, bell peppers, and many more.

Plenty of water intake

Keeping your body hydrated is the key to healthy digestive health in the sunny season. Somehow, our kids forget to drink water while playing or studying. As a parent, you must remind them about their next glass of water.

Sometimes, kids skip water and choose carbonated beverages and artificial juices to quench their thirst. You should keep a check on this habit of your kid as these drinks carry heavy sugar content, which spoils their gut health.

Hygiene Maintenance

Encouraging your kid to adopt hygienic practices can guard them against summer digestive illnesses. Good hygiene can easily stop the spread of disease-causing bacteria and germs. The list given below highlights some easy tips for hygienic living for kids:

1. Regular bath in the morning
2. Washing hands with hand wash/soap before meals, after using the restroom, or playing outside
3. Carry a sanitizer bottle while going out in their bags or pockets
4. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing
5. Cut your nails to avoid dirt accumulation

Travel tips

Summertime is the time to reconnect with your family. Thanks to summer vacations, kids can visit their grandparents, uncles, aunts, and siblings. While traveling is fun, it might upset the digestive system of kids.

To avoid these issues, you must take some essential precautions concerning their food, drinks, and hygiene.

1. Be cautious about street food and choose pure home-made options
2. Carry snacks that are familiar to your kids and light on their stomach
3. Avoid carrying pre-cut fruits
4. Give your child plenty of water while traveling

Probiotics for gut

Consider giving your child a kid-friendly probiotic for good gut health in the summer. As you may know, probiotics help to restore the balance of good bacteria in the stomach. However, before choosing a probiotic, consult a pediatrician.

Also Read: Best Fun Summer Activities for Kids and Parents

Wrapping up

Summer vacations are meant for heartful enjoyment with friends and family. This is why it is necessary to stay informed about common summer digestion problems in kids.

Prior knowledge can help you take preventive measures at the right time, ensuring your kid’s safety and health all season long.

From staying hydrated to adopting healthy eating habits, proactive steps can help resolve summer digestion issues in kids. This article gives you an insight into these summer issues and their effective preventive measures.

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