We’re all aware that certain illnesses are common in kids- the common cold, chicken pox & other viral illnesses. But the diseases themselves are not the only thing unique to children: The experience of being ill is also different for kids, and each age group has a different understanding of “being sick”. As a parent, it helps to know what your child is thinking and feeling when he/she becomes ill so that you can help comfort your child and teach him or her bearing sickness, and of course about staying well.
How to Make Your Children Recover Faster from Illness?
Rehydrate
This is especially important after a high fever. Liquids will wash bacteria and viruses from the throat and through the digestive tract. Liquids will also replenish a body that is dehydrated. Give water and warm tea to drink, as well as plenty of grapes, pineapple, cucumbers and other water-heavy fruits and vegetables that promote rehydration. Soups, teas, bone broth and smoothies are equally as hydrating.
Take Probiotics
This is key if your child has been taking antibiotics, which may also destroy the good bacteria in the gut and do not necessarily discriminate between good bacteria and bad bacteria. A round of antibiotics for streptococcal or another illness can leave the gut stripped of the healthy bacteria, that we need for digestion and well-being. It is essential to rebuild these bacteria quickly. There are many good probiotic supplements on the market, one of which you should give for a few weeks after the course of antibiotics is over, but food such as kimchi, miso, curds, yogurt, buttermilk also do the job of delivering good bacteria directly into the digestive tract.
Consume Protein
After illness, kids often lack energy because they’ve taken in limited protein and calories while sick. High-quality, easily digestible protein such as salmon or lean chicken or eggs can provide needed energy. Bone broth is especially powerful, because it delivers protein, collagen, minerals and nutrition in an absorbable, operational form. This can increase energy, boost the immune system and rebuild a damaged gut lining. You can drink it straight with a dash of pepper, or you can make soup with it, boil rice in bone broth for another good first food after illness.
Try Spicy Foods
Hot peppers can help clear nasal congestion. But for children recovering from a digestive illness, stick to bland foods. A little bit of crushed ginger can be added to anything, including baked goods, to help with digestion, give the food a little extra flavour and the patient extra immunity.
Start with Small Meals
It is best to eat smaller, more frequent meals to ease your body back. A fruit and vegetable smoothie can be a faultless first breakfast. Add a banana to smoothie to provide potassium for cell hydration and soluble fibre to get a kid’s system moving again.
Importance of Vitamins for Your Child Recover
VITAMIN C
Vitamin C is essential to eliminate the harmful free radicals that are formed as a result of sickness & reduce oxidative stress in the body. Also good for skin, healthy muscle and tissue growth as well as improves wound healing.
[ Try: Puravida Vitamin C Serum ]
Vitamin C Benefits
- Helps in building collagen
- Fights against infections
- Helps increase the absorption of iron from food
- Keeps teeth, bones and gums healthy
- Reduces Oxidative stress
Vitamin C Sources
Orange, kiwi, strawberry, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers and other citrus foods are rich sources of Vitamin C.
VITAMIN D
Vitamin D aids in bone health, Calcium absorption, regulating the immune system, production of insulin and growth of cells in the body.
Vitamin D Benefits
- Helps in absorption of calcium, potassium etc.
- Keeps bones and teeth healthy and strong
Vitamin D Sources
Sunlight, oily fish, egg yolk and butter are good sources of Vitamin D.
VITAMIN E
Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant and helps fight against germs and ensures free blood flow through the vessels.
Vitamin E Benefits
- Boosts the immune system
- Helps In the development of eyes and healthy skin.
Vitamin E Sources
Sunflower and canola oils, margarine and nuts are some Vitamin E rich foods.
Vitamin Supplements to Boost Kids’ Recovery from Illness
By ensuring that their children's immune systems are already reinforced by good sleep, exercise & immunizations, vitamin supplements may assist parents to help decrease the severity / duration of sickness. Vitamin and antioxidant rich supplements can help recover faster. If you're concerned that your child isn't getting enough nutrients, talk to your doctor about vitamin and mineral supplements that maintain a strong immune system and help your child recover from illness quickly.
The cornerstone of any health system is the immune system strength of the body. Ensuring good nutrition ( diet or supplements), adequate exercise and restful sleep should give a good baseline immune system strength to the child's body.