It might help you to know what actually gastroenteritis is before we talk about getting rid of it. Gastroenteritis is alternatively known as stomach flu. This is a very common disease and as it goes, eating is the most common way of foreign bodies entering your body. While most of the time the food is digested by the enzymes of the body, at some times it fails to do so. The usual symptoms of gastroenteritis are abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and low fever at times.
Though not a deadly disease, gastroenteritis can prove to be fatal to kids and old people; healthy adults normally can recover faster from the disease. In third world countries, about 5 to 8 million people succumb to death due to gastroenteritis and inadequate treatment.
Causes of gastroenteritis:
Virus: More than about 50% of gastroenteritis problems are caused by norovirus. This virus can attack both the children and the adults, and these viruses spread too easily. Although you can feel healthy enough, you will feel the sickness when this virus attacks you. This feeling of sickness can linger from 1 to 3 days.
Children and infants are affected by Rotavirus which causes gastroenteritis and can even lead the weaker ones to death. The cause of children getting affected by rotavirus is that, they put their dirty hands in their mouths, thus, transferring the germ inside their body.
Bacteria: Bacteria normally infect the intestinal walls and the stomach walls. Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus produce toxins which cause infection. These types of infection that cause gastroenteritis are commonly known as ‘food poisoning’.
How to get rid of gastroenteritis:
A few careful yet simple steps can help you to recover from gastroenteritis.
Intake lots of fluid: Taking in a lot of fluids will help you to curb gastroenteritis. Keeping aside caffeinated drinks, sodas or even plain water might help. Rehydration solutions can be taken. If they are not handy at the moment, a mixture of salt and sugar water can also be substituted for.
Ease back to normal eating: In gastroenteritis go for food which are easily digested. Dairy products, spicy food and fatty food are a strict no-no. Substituting your regular diet with banana, or toast will help your digestive system to get back to function. In case, your vomiting does not stop, go back to liquid diet and consult a doctor soon.
Prevent gastroenteritis:
- Wash your hands well before eating.
- Make sure that your food is well cooked.
- Drink filtered or mineral water.
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