Digestive issues are common among children, yet many parents remain unaware of their causes. Various treatment approaches exist, including dietary remedies. Digestive problems often manifest as diarrhea, requiring careful observation and timely medical consultation.
These Symptoms Indicate Digestive Issues in Babies: How to Medicate for Indigestion (Public Health Network)
Common Manifestations of Childhood Indigestion
Childhood Loss of Appetite
We often encounter this concern: "My child refuses to eat anything, making mealtimes very difficult." Most parents patiently try every trick to coax or trick their child into finishing a bowl of food; others adopt a high-pressure approach, forcing them to eat.In fact, loss of appetite is a manifestation of childhood indigestion.
Childhood food stagnation
Children often complain of stomach bloating immediately after meals. This is a symptom of indigestion—food stagnation. If left untreated, prolonged food stagnation and impaired digestive function can lead to internal heat and inflammation. Without timely intervention, this condition may develop into various illnesses and severely damage the child's gastrointestinal function.
Childhood Malnutrition
A child's thinness and malnutrition often stem from insufficient gastric motility. This hinders the proper absorption of essential energy, proteins, vitamins, and trace elements, leading to diverse illnesses and weakened bodily functions.Seeing a frail, underweight child—what parent could bear it?
Triggering Respiratory Illnesses
When discussing indigestion, most immediately associate it with poor stomach function. Yet few connect it to pharyngitis. In fact, pharyngitis arises from multiple causes, one being digestive dysfunction. This can trigger various respiratory illnesses, causing nighttime coughing that disrupts rest.
Reduced Immunity
It's common to observe that children with indigestion often appear listless and fall ill easily. This occurs because impaired digestion hinders nutrient absorption, directly weakening the child's immunity. They become prone to colds, constipation, or mild diarrhea.
Poor Academic Performance
Digestive issues and abdominal pain, especially at night, severely disrupt sleep. This leads to poor rest, low energy levels, and weight loss. Consequently, children's academic performance begins to decline. They appear listless in class, struggle to stay focused, and frequently doze off—a situation that deeply concerns parents.
Medication for Pediatric Indigestion
Babies' digestive systems are still developing. Exposure to cold, viral infections, or improper diet can disrupt their digestive function, leading to loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea.So, how should medication be administered for infant digestive issues?
1. Gastric Mucosal Protective Agents
These medications not only provide strong coverage for the digestive tract mucosa but also adsorb pathogens. Primarily used to treat acute and chronic diarrhea, they are particularly effective for viral diarrhea in children (such as autumn diarrhea). Since they lack antibacterial properties, they cannot replace antibiotics.
2. Digestive aids
Infants with indigestion may benefit from digestive aids that enhance gastrointestinal function. Representative medications include pepsin, pancreatin, multienzyme tablets, and lactase preparations (e.g., Lactase).Additionally, when babies experience indigestion, appropriately administering certain Chinese patent medicines with minimal side effects—such as San Gong Zai Children's Seven Star Tea or Sheng Yin Kai Milk Tea—can also provide digestive support.
3. Prokinetic Agents
These medications promote gastric emptying and enhance intestinal motility. Parents should administer them to babies only under a doctor's guidance.