title: [Empacho and therapeutic practices in the Costa Chica of Guerrero and Oaxaca].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Empacho is one of the main traditional illnesses recognized by the inhabitants of the coast of Oaxaca and Guerrero.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a qualitative study based on the in depth analysis of the interviews held with fourteen informants: mothers, grand-mothers, physicians and folk healers or therapists specialists among others, from the localities of Charco Redondo, El Azufre and El Ciruelo in Oaxaca; Las Perias, La Fortuna and the municipal head of Copala in Guerrero.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results show that empacho is a childhood endemic illness that can be differentiated from other gastrointestinal diseases. The care for this illness starts at home, where the mother alone or with the support of other women who are part of her social network, decide what steps to take for its care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Empacho used to be and continues to be a major health problem for social groups mainly from the countryside because it is considered life threatening. Therefore, it should be considered among the main illness that affect especially babies and preschoolers. However, mothers refrain from talking about this disease and its treatment in order not to be scolded by their conventional doctor.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Estudios Experimentales y Rurales, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México, D.F. luzmac597@yahoo.com.mx
authors.forename: Luz María
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Espinosa-Cortés
authors.forename: Beatriz Adriana
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Hernández-Martínez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult