Gastroenteritis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Peter Rodrick
November 09, 2008
Gastroenteritis is simply a medical term for inflammation of the stomach and intestines, usually due to food poisoning or a viral illness.
It is very common and the usual symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, tummy pain and diarrhoea. The illness usually lasts two to three days, after which the sufferer usually recovers without any specific treatment other than the need to replace fluids and minerals.
Gastroenteritis Causes
Gastroenteritis has many causes. Viruses and bacteria are the most common.
Viruses and bacteria are very contagious and can spread through contaminated food or water. In up to 50% of diarrheal outbreaks, no specific agent is found. Improper handwashing following a bowel movement or handling a diaper can spread the disease from person to person.
Caliciviruses cause infection in persons of all ages. This family of viruses is further divided into the noroviruses (example, Norwalk virus) and the sapoviruses (example, Sapporo virus). Caliciviruses are transmitted from person to person and also through contaminated water or food--especially oysters from contaminated waters. The noroviruses are often responsible for epidemics of viral gastroenteritis. In addition to vomiting and diarrhea, people infected with caliciviruses may have muscle aches. The symptoms appear within 1 to 3 days of exposure.
Signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis
Dehydration, including excessive thirst, weakness, lightheadedness, decreased frequency of urination, dry mouth or lack of tears in infants
Low levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalemia)
Crampy pains in the abdomen (tummy) are common. Pains may ease for a while each time some diarrhoea is passed.
How is gastroenteritis diagnosed?
The doctor will take a medical history to make sure that nothing else is causing the symptoms. Also, the doctor might perform a rectal or abdominal examination to exclude the possibilities of inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn´s disease) and pelvic abscesses (pockets of pus). A stool culture (a laboratory test to identify bacteria and other organisms from a sample of feces) can be used to determine the specific virus or germ that is causing gastroenteritis.
Treatment of Gastroenteritis
The most important aspect of self-treatment for gastroenteritis is the consumption of fluids. Repeated bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting can deplete the body of its natural fluid levels and lead to more serious symptoms. Plus, adequate fluid intake can help stabilise electrolyte levels, which can help decrease the frequency of vomiting and nausea. Although you will need to increase your fluid intake you do not want to choose just any fluids. Colas, coffee, teas, alcohol, fruit juices, and creamy soups are not appropriate choices. These liquids can contain caffeine (which is a natural diuretic), and too much sugar.
There's no cure for gastroenteritis, but symptoms usually go away in a day or two. The important thing is to keep well hydrated, since you're losing fluids. Adults benefit from sports drinks, oral rehydration solutions, and carbonated soft drinks - not the diet versions. A doctor will usually recommend that children under the age of five use oral rehydration solutions available at pharmacies.
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It is very common and the usual symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, tummy pain and diarrhoea. The illness usually lasts two to three days, after which the sufferer usually recovers without any specific treatment other than the need to replace fluids and minerals.
Gastroenteritis Causes
Gastroenteritis has many causes. Viruses and bacteria are the most common.
Viruses and bacteria are very contagious and can spread through contaminated food or water. In up to 50% of diarrheal outbreaks, no specific agent is found. Improper handwashing following a bowel movement or handling a diaper can spread the disease from person to person.
Caliciviruses cause infection in persons of all ages. This family of viruses is further divided into the noroviruses (example, Norwalk virus) and the sapoviruses (example, Sapporo virus). Caliciviruses are transmitted from person to person and also through contaminated water or food--especially oysters from contaminated waters. The noroviruses are often responsible for epidemics of viral gastroenteritis. In addition to vomiting and diarrhea, people infected with caliciviruses may have muscle aches. The symptoms appear within 1 to 3 days of exposure.
Signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis
Dehydration, including excessive thirst, weakness, lightheadedness, decreased frequency of urination, dry mouth or lack of tears in infants
Low levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalemia)
Crampy pains in the abdomen (tummy) are common. Pains may ease for a while each time some diarrhoea is passed.
How is gastroenteritis diagnosed?
The doctor will take a medical history to make sure that nothing else is causing the symptoms. Also, the doctor might perform a rectal or abdominal examination to exclude the possibilities of inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn´s disease) and pelvic abscesses (pockets of pus). A stool culture (a laboratory test to identify bacteria and other organisms from a sample of feces) can be used to determine the specific virus or germ that is causing gastroenteritis.
Treatment of Gastroenteritis
The most important aspect of self-treatment for gastroenteritis is the consumption of fluids. Repeated bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting can deplete the body of its natural fluid levels and lead to more serious symptoms. Plus, adequate fluid intake can help stabilise electrolyte levels, which can help decrease the frequency of vomiting and nausea. Although you will need to increase your fluid intake you do not want to choose just any fluids. Colas, coffee, teas, alcohol, fruit juices, and creamy soups are not appropriate choices. These liquids can contain caffeine (which is a natural diuretic), and too much sugar.
There's no cure for gastroenteritis, but symptoms usually go away in a day or two. The important thing is to keep well hydrated, since you're losing fluids. Adults benefit from sports drinks, oral rehydration solutions, and carbonated soft drinks - not the diet versions. A doctor will usually recommend that children under the age of five use oral rehydration solutions available at pharmacies.
Visit Herbal Remedies. Do not forget to visit Breast Serum to Firm Breast and Natural Breast Enlargement
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