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Child Has Cold, Coughing, Sneezing, Congestion, No Temperature. Why Would She Be Having Mint Green Bowels?
Question: My 10 week baby girl has been having mint XXXXXXX bowels for the last 24 hours. Doesn't appear to be diarrhea, not watery or mucous and she is exclusively breast fed. She's had a mild cold for the last several days, coughing sneezing slightly congested, more at night. No temp.why would she be having min XXXXXXX bowels?
Hi,
Thanks for your query.
Viral illnesses, commonly the cause of a running nose, a cough and sometimes both, are notorious for involving the small bowel also in the process of inflammation and swelling of the XXXXXXX lining membrane. This "inflammation", in its turn, affects the smooth functioning of the small bowel and leads to intestinal hurry (the speed of transit of milk/food from the upper end of the small intestine to the lower end of the same). This hurry is an attempt by the intestine to "throw" away the offending germs as soon as possible (so also the running nose, if you understand what I mean). Thus, the contents of the bowel are passed out without proper digestion or processing of the ingredients. Bile, secreted by the liver, is also passed out without proper denaturation, and being greenish in colour, imparts the XXXXXXX colouration to the bowel movements.
You don't need to worry about this at all, unless she refuses feeds, or runs a high temperature or something such. She should be all right within three days at the most.
If she passes more than the usual water content in her stool or passes stools with more frequency, you may start giving her additional liquids such as lemon juice, electrolytes, etc to replenish her body salts and water.
That's about it, and I think other than that, you don't need to worry. At the present moment, there is no need to ask for blood or bowel tests or treat her with antibiotics, though these options may become necessary if she fails to get well within the next 48-72 hours.
With warm personal regards and prayers for your daughter to get well soon,
Dr. Taher Kagalwala
Thanks for your query.
Viral illnesses, commonly the cause of a running nose, a cough and sometimes both, are notorious for involving the small bowel also in the process of inflammation and swelling of the XXXXXXX lining membrane. This "inflammation", in its turn, affects the smooth functioning of the small bowel and leads to intestinal hurry (the speed of transit of milk/food from the upper end of the small intestine to the lower end of the same). This hurry is an attempt by the intestine to "throw" away the offending germs as soon as possible (so also the running nose, if you understand what I mean). Thus, the contents of the bowel are passed out without proper digestion or processing of the ingredients. Bile, secreted by the liver, is also passed out without proper denaturation, and being greenish in colour, imparts the XXXXXXX colouration to the bowel movements.
You don't need to worry about this at all, unless she refuses feeds, or runs a high temperature or something such. She should be all right within three days at the most.
If she passes more than the usual water content in her stool or passes stools with more frequency, you may start giving her additional liquids such as lemon juice, electrolytes, etc to replenish her body salts and water.
That's about it, and I think other than that, you don't need to worry. At the present moment, there is no need to ask for blood or bowel tests or treat her with antibiotics, though these options may become necessary if she fails to get well within the next 48-72 hours.
With warm personal regards and prayers for your daughter to get well soon,
Dr. Taher Kagalwala
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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