How do you stop gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis is not funny when it strikes, but with this guide, you will be able to smile through the pain. Whether you call it stomach flu or traveler’s diarrhea, this unpleasant ailment can ruin your day and take a toll on your body. Here are some tips for stopping gastroenteritis in its tracks.

What Is Gastroenteritis?

First of all, let’s talk about what we’re dealing with here. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the digestive tract that causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. It’s usually caused by viruses or bacteria that enter your system through contaminated food or water. The symptoms might last for a few days before going away on their own, but sometimes medical intervention is necessary.

Recognizing Symptoms

If you’ve been hit by gastroenteritis like a ton of bricks (or pathogens), there are several signs and symptoms you should watch out for:

• Nausea: This feeling precedes most vomiting episodes.
• Vomiting: Projectile vomit may turn any corner into a hazard zone.
• Watery diarrhoea: Not cute! Running to the bathroom sucks especially if there’s no bathroom nearby…Run Forrest Run!
• Abdominal cramps: “Ahhh my tummy hurts”
• Fatigue: You may feel exhausted because fighting off invaders takes energy
• Dehydration Despite drinking lots of fluid because May have had more watery stool/vomit than they drank

The good news is that these symptoms can usually be remedied with some simple home remedies or over-the-counter medications.

When Should You See A Doctor?

In rare cases; quickly seek professional help if experiencing;

• Prolonged fever
• Severe bloody stools
• Dehydration
• Unexplained weight loss

These signs could reveal underlying complications such as appendicitis or something more serious.

Home Remedies

The great news is that some home remedies can help when dealing with gastroenteritis. Some people just wait it out, and soon enough their body will recover its health naturally, but these suggestions might ease your symptoms:

Pure Water

Pure water keeps the digestive system free from toxins whilst aiding rehydration because Fluid loss throughout vomiting and diarrhoea depletes electrolytes within us. Replenishing the fluids allows our body to clear harmful substances allowing it to remain hydrated throughout…struggling like a marathon runner…

Pedialyte

Pedialyte is an electrolyte solution commonly marketed for children experiencing dehydration due to diarrhea or vomiting; However, adults may use it as well regardless of how embarrassing they perceive asking another adult for pedialyte – “for my nephew”. It replenishes both fluid/electrolyte losses by entering the bloodstream rapidly; not entirely detrimental if you require IV therapy

### Chicken Soup

Feeling down? Try chicken soup! Synonymous with being sick in all parts of the world especially America whereby no food source seems less threatening/nourishing than good old chicken soup created using the most organic ingredients available at your local grocery store (or takeout). Adding salt can also increase sodium concentration within blood accordingly replenishing deficiencies associated with dehydration. Tastes delicious too!

BRAT diet

Also coined ‘Bland Food’ includes;

• Bananas: A fantastic source of potassium lost through looseness.
• Rice: Encapsulation slimy bowel content helping solidify stool movements.
• Applesauce: Easily eaten low-fiber source of carbohydrate and sugar that doesn’t end up costing an arm/leg in healthcare bills.
• Toast

Following this regimen ensures comfort throughout digestive upset without inflaming irritated gastric linings any further acting-like a pillow hugger for our stomachs—Thank us later!

Ginger

Ladies and gentlemen, ginger to the rescue. Not just for its medicinal properties during pregnancy-related nausea; it can also help alleviate stomach distress caused by gastroenteritis symptoms.

Adding fresh or powdered ginger to hot tea can cure nausea while promoting gastric muscular contractions stimulating digestion throughout affected GI areas—Also means less leftovers so eating out is more profitable #dontgiveup .

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is an age-old granny trick that still works today – Pour boiling water over some peppermint leaves steeping until a copious amount of minerals has permeated through into your solution!. It aids in easing abdominal cramps due to gas retention within bowels/nerves stimulated adequately across the labrynth reminding us of ‘minty chocolate chip ice cream’. Sounds intriguing enough?

Over-The-Counter Medications

Here are several drugs you may consider using when sick with gastroenteritis;

### Antimotility Drugs:

Drugs like Imodium may help reduce diarrhoea episodes allowing our family members not too far from the bathroom take refuge at another spot finally establishing real estate around their chunk-free zone

Probiotics:

Sometimes, probiotics boosting our microflora can balance gut bacteria aiding in absorptive functionality which after all these days becomes hounded!

Pain Relievers:

Have tummy pains? In this case, use common pain relievers such as paracetamol or aspirin (not meant explicitly for aggravation but it will most likely make any discontent easier) assuming no history of hemorrhagic stroke/pregnancy.

Consult your doctor regularly because medication must be controlled according to underlying conditions let’s not trigger burning up fees like matchsticks…no pun intended@

Conclusion

Gastroenteritis symptoms vary significantly between people depending on predisposing condition/location/underlying health status but now actions must be taken if ill-gastroenteritis leaves little space for compromise. Take care/keep it light and couple the aforementioned remedies with a happy place—Smile, Accept you’re not invincible then put on your game-face deal-with-it like that grade-school meanie planned it all along! Good Luck