Honey therapy in children with diarrhea

Abstract

Diarrhea is a condition characterized by soft or liquid stool consistency, sometimes resembling water, with a frequency of three or more episodes per day. It is often a symptom of an infection in the digestive tract caused by various bacteria, viruses, or parasites. These infections can spread through contaminated food or drinking water, particularly in areas with poor environmental hygiene. Diarrhea can last for several days, leading to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and malnutrition, especially in children. Over time, persistent diarrhea can impair children's growth and development due to the loss of essential nutrients. In addition to standard pharmacological treatments, complementary therapies can be used to manage diarrhea, one of which is honey therapy. Honey contains minerals and carbohydrates that can aid in rehydration and help reduce the severity of diarrhea. The glucose content in honey supports the reabsorption of water and electrolytes secreted into the intestines during diarrhea. This happens through the sodium-glucose co-transport mechanism, which enhances the reabsorption of water by reducing the water content in the intestinal lumen. As a result, stool consistency improves. In this case study, complementary therapy was administered by giving the patient 5 cc of honey mixed with 10 cc of warm water. This honey therapy was given three times a day for three consecutive days. After the intervention, the frequency of diarrhea decreased from seven episodes of liquid stools to one episode with soft stools.

Keywords: Honey therapy; paediatric nursing; nursing care; nursing intervention; diarrhea