How to properly prepare and use rice water for diarrhea for children and adults
Diarrhea is a symptom of a wide range of diseases, but most often its development is facilitated by intestinal infections, taking certain medications, food poisoning, neuroses and depression. Regardless of the reasons that caused the stool disorder, all patients are prescribed a special diet, astringents and absorbent agents.
Rice water is an effective remedy for diarrhea. Rice inhibits motility and tone of intestinal smooth muscles, reduces the number of urges to empty the bowel, reduces the manifestations of flatulence, normalizes stool, and removes waste and toxins.
In the article we will consider: the usefulness of rice for diarrhea, how to properly prepare and take rice broth for diarrhea for adults and children, in which cases it will be effective, and when it can harm the body.
Does rice water help with diarrhea?
Rice water is used to treat acute diarrhea, in which loose and unformed stool appears no more than three times a day and lasts no more than three weeks. It is also necessary to pay attention to the causes of diarrhea.
Rice water will help in cases where loose stools are caused by overeating or food poisoning, fermentation of food in the intestines, nervous excitement, improper use of laxatives or other medications.
In cases where the cause of diarrhea is viruses, bacteria, ischemic and inflammatory bowel pathologies, diseases of the pelvic organs, rice is used as a symptomatic remedy.For a favorable outcome, the patient needs a comprehensive examination, the prescription of adequate methods of conservative therapy, and sometimes surgical treatment.
Operating principle
Let's look at the structure of a grain of rice. Its basis is made up of fibers, between which there are other substances. Soaked rice leaves a starchy residue at the bottom of the container. When cooked, starch, vitamins and other substances are separated, as a result, the biological value of the grain is partially lost, only fiber (fiber) remains in it.
Rice starch, which remains in the broth, ensures the antidiarrheal effectiveness of the product. Starch protects the intestinal walls from the influence of irritating substances, including gastric juice, and makes their absorption difficult. The decoction also has an inhibitory effect on intestinal motility, inhibits the urge to defecate, the contents pass through the gastrointestinal tract longer, and reduces the manifestations of flatulence and bloating.
During diarrhea, rice acts as a sorbent: when it enters the body, it attracts and retains various toxic substances, removes waste and toxins. Unlike other sorbents, it has a delicate and mild effect without causing adverse reactions.
Reference. Rice water is considered nutritious; it contains a lot of protein, vitamins, and carbohydrates, which pass from the rice grain into water. Therefore, when diarrhea is accompanied by a lack of appetite, the patient’s reluctance to eat food, so as not to provoke another act of defecation, taking rice water can partially replenish the body’s needs for energy and nutrients.
How to cook rice water correctly
At home, you can prepare classic rice water.In cases where diarrhea does not go away for more than two days or the body refuses to take food, prepare a cream decoction of rice. It is more intense, relieves irritation of the mucous membranes, nourishes the body, and improves overall well-being.
What kind of rice is suitable
There are 18 types of rice, differing in color, grain length, and processing method. To prepare rice water, it is better to choose white (polished). The shape and size of the rice grain does not matter.
The most important point is the way rice is processed during production. Regular white (polished) rice contains a large amount of starch, which is what causes the astringent and antidiarrheal effect. Steamed varieties are less effective, since during steaming the percentage of gluten content decreases.
Instructions for preparing the decoction
Recipe for classic rice water:
- 1 tbsp. l. Rinse the rice under cold running water.
- Boil 500 ml of water, add rice.
- Simmer over low heat for 35-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Strain the warm rice twice through cheesecloth folded in several layers.
To prepare rice cream broth, you need to fry 5 tbsp in a frying pan without oil over low heat. l. clean cereal. The finished rice should have a golden hue. Next, you need to grind the rice using kitchen utensils. Add ground cereal to a saucepan filled with three glasses of water. Cook over low heat after boiling for 20-25 minutes. Take the cream decoction chilled.
How and how much to store
Rice water is stored in an airtight glass container with a lid. The shelf life is 96 hours (four days) from the moment of preparation in the refrigerator and 48 hours at room temperature.
How to use
The dosage and duration of treatment with rice water depends on a number of factors: the age of the patient, the causes and characteristics of the course of diarrhea, the body’s reaction to the measures taken, and are determined in the case of a particular patient.
Important. Due to the loss of large amounts of water and salts, the patient may develop dehydration. Doctors recommend drinking more water. The average daily intake for children of the first year of life is 500 ml, from one to three years - 500-700 ml, from 3 to 12 years - 1 liter or more, adolescents and adults - 2-3 liters of liquid.
In case of poisoning
In case of poisoning, rice water acts as a sorbent, reduces intestinal motility, relieves pain, heaviness in the abdomen, and flatulence. To achieve the desired effect, an adult needs to drink 300-500 ml of decoction throughout the day, 50-70 ml at a time.
For children, the dosage is halved. To reduce the load on the digestive tract, you should avoid eating other foods, including boiled rice, on this day.
For diarrhea not associated with poisoning
A single dosage for adults and children over 12 years of age is 40-50 ml. It is recommended to take the decoction every 3-4 hours, but no more than 4 times a day.
Rice absorbs harmful substances accumulated in the intestines, normalizes the consistency of stool, gently and painlessly cleanses the body, and restores intestinal motility.
As a rule, improvements are noticeable after the first dose. To completely get rid of the symptoms of diarrhea, on average, 1-2 days of treatment are enough.
Important. If you continue to drink the decoction after the stool has returned to normal, there is a risk of constipation.
Use for severe and prolonged diarrhea
In case of severe diarrhea for more than two days, it is recommended to prepare and consume rice cream broth according to the following scheme: 1 tbsp. l. every hour for 12 hours. For children, the daily norm is 12 tsp.
The dosage can be adjusted depending on the age of the patient, the frequency of bowel movements, and the body’s reaction.
Nuances of preparation and use
The effectiveness of treating diarrhea with rice water depends on compliance with the preparation recipe and dosage, the causes of diarrhea and concomitant treatment.
For children (including infants and teenagers)
The proportions and recipe for preparing rice water for infants and young children are somewhat different.
It is recommended to pre-rinse the rice and soak it for 6-12 hours in cold water, or leave it overnight. The decoction is prepared less saturated: for 500 ml of water you will need 1 tsp. rice cereal. Pour pre-soaked rice into boiling water and cook over low heat for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain the broth through several layers of gauze.
To treat diarrhea, the child is given 30-50 ml of decoction 3-4 times a day. At the same time, it is important to monitor the baby’s well-being: if improvements are noticeable after the first dose, the stool has become thicker, the frequency of bowel movements has decreased and is not accompanied by pain, there is no need to continue taking the decoction. It is better to offer your child strong sweet tea with homemade rye crackers and a small portion of boiled rice.
Important. All actions should be discussed with your doctor. Many foodborne illnesses are severe and require hospitalization of the patient.
For adults
To prepare rice water, use purified or distilled water. Choose white rice (unpolished).
It is important to properly prepare the grains: rinse under running water at room temperature 5-7 times. During cooking, make sure that the rice does not burn; add water if necessary. The medicine should have a viscous consistency and a bland taste. Do not add salt or sweeten.
If the use of rice water is accompanied by a deterioration in general health, rash, redness and itching of the skin, absence of stool for 48 hours or insufficient bowel movements, it is necessary to stop treatment. If unpleasant symptoms persist, seek medical help.
What is the best rice to eat for diarrhea?
Boiled white rice without adding salt, oil, or spices copes well with the manifestations of diarrhea. It has an astringent effect, which normalizes the functioning of the digestive tract and reduces intestinal motility. By removing fluid from the stool, their normal consistency and frequency of bowel movements are restored.
For a positive result, you need to eat rice in small portions every 3-4 hours. The effect depends on how properly the cereal is prepared.
How to cook properly
First of all, you need to prepare the rice: rinse 1 cup of cereal 5-7 times, leave in a colander to drain. Boil 5 cups of water in a saucepan, add rice, stir. After the contents of the pan boil, reduce the heat and cook for 30-45 minutes until all the water has evaporated. Serve warm without sugar, salt or butter.
Contraindications
Absolute contraindications include individual intolerance to one or more components. Rice cream decoction and classic rice are not prescribed for toxic poisoning or intestinal infection, when bowel movements become an important condition for detoxification.
Take the medicine with caution in the presence of adhesions in the intestines, malignant and benign neoplasms.
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Conclusion
Diarrhea cannot be ignored; it is necessary to urgently seek medical help, especially if diarrhea begins in a child. Rice water is used as first aid: it restores normal stool consistency, reduces the tendency to frequent bowel movements, and increases the rate of food evacuation from the intestines.
But rice does not always solve the problem for diarrhea. Such patients need to be prescribed medications that act directly on the cause of the disease. For favorable treatment and prevention of adverse reactions, the regimen for taking rice water is discussed with your doctor.