Infants and children with diarrhea get dehydrated more easily than adults--so watch their fluid intake carefully. Check with a doctor before giving children over-the-counter diarrhea medications. These often contain aspirin-like substances that present the risk of Reye's Syndrome, a potentially fatal liver disorder in children with fever.

2torial #0787: Learn2 Cope with Diarrhea (Continued) Replace lost minerals The intestine's main purpose is to remove fluids and nutrition from the food and liquid you consume, and then rid the body of any undigested materials through bowel movements. Whether diarrhea results from microbial infection, from stress, or other diseases or syndromes, it indicates that the intestine isn't performing its normal tasks. Important nutrients aren't being absorbed into your body; they're being sent straight to your bowels for elimination. See Keywords for more information on these minerals. Without adequate salt, your body can't adequately absorb or retain water. It'll pass right through the body and result in diarrhea and possibly severe cramping. Also, unless you take in extra salt, you need to drink twice the amount of water to replace the fluids you've lost from diarrhea.   Chloride and Sodium are supplied by common table salt. Sodium helps your body retain fluids. Unless you have a medical problem that prohibits it, eat foods that are salty. Clear broth is a good choice for both sodium and chloride replacement.   Potassium can be replaced naturally. Bananas, potatoes, cooked beans, fish and chicken are all good sources of potassium.   Magnesium is harder to replace naturally. Food sources are whole grains and nuts, but you should try to avoid these foods during this time. It might be wiser to get a magnesium supplement from a health-food store if your condition continues for more than a week.   Step 4