Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, affecting the stomach and the small intestine also known as gastric flu, and stomach flu. This condition is contagious so the affected person might be prevented from performing the usual tasks.

Causes

Mostly the causes of gastroenteritis is food borne, some source include:

• Dairy
• Seafood
• Bakery products
• Reheated foods
• Poorly prepared food

Other source:

• Contaminated water

Kinds of viruses that causes gastroenteritis:

• Astroviruses – affects mostly children
• Noroviruses – affects older children and adults
• Rotaviruses – affects infants and young children under five years
• Adinoviruses – type 40 and 41, affects children and young children
• Sapoviruses – affects all ages

Gastroenteritis can result into acute diarrhea. The inflammation is caused with certain viruses, sometimes by bacteria or their toxins, parasites, or reaction to something eaten or taken as medication. Inadequate treatment of gastroenteritis can lead to death

Many different bacteria can cause gastroenteritis, including salmonella, shigella, staphylococcus, Campylobacter jejuni, clostridium, E. coli, yersinia, and others. Colitis or inflammation of the large intestine may also be present.

Symptoms

• Nausea and vomiting
• Acute diarrhea
• Appetite Loss
• Dehydration
• Tachycardia
• Low fever
• Dehydration
• Skin discoloration
• Dark eye circles
• Sunken eyeballs
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal cramps
• Bloody stools or dysentery

It may be accompanied or followed by vomiting. However, viral diarrhea usually causes watery stools in frequent intervals, and blood stained diarrhea may be indicative of bacterial colitis. In some cases bile can be vomited up when the stomach is empty.

Symptoms may occur for up to 6 days. Given appropriate treatment, bowel movements will return to normal within a week after that.

Treatment

The main type of treatment is rehydration or replacing lost fluids and electrolytes due to acute diarrhea.  Depending on the degree of dehydration, the person must be administered with oral rehydration therapy (ORT) before dehydration occurs, and must continue until the person’s urine and stool output back to normal.

Oral rehydration Salt:
Otc, prepare and consume according to instructions

Clay:
During acute phase, mix a teaspoon in one glass of water and drink every two hours

Acidophilus:
Take acidophilus with meals one teaspoon (liquid) or two to three capsules

Apple cider vinegar:
One teaspoon of vinegar and a teaspoon of honey in a glass of water

Grapefruit seed extract:
Liquid form, use five drops in a glass of water.

Lemon juice:
Freshly squeezed lemon juice, drink two to three times a day

Wine:
Either red or white, about 6 oz a day, it has antibacterial effects

Prevention

Frequent hand washing
Washing of soiled clothing
Prepare food properly and in clean environment