Gastroenteritis is an inflammation that occurs in the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines. Infectious gastroenteritis is one of the variants of this disease, in which the inflammatory process develops due to the attachment of some infection. Mostly this disease is infectious, but sometimes it appears for other reasons.
Factors such as can cause the development of gastroenteritis:- violation of diet;
- poisoning by expired or low-quality products;
- ingestion of viruses, bacteria;
- overeating, insufficient fluid intake;
- long-term antibiotic treatment that upsets the balance of intestinal microflora.
Rotaviruses, calceviruses, astroviruses, and adenovirus are the most common causes of gastroenteritis. Bacterial gastroenteritis is less common. Also, intestinal parasites can pass into the intestinal mucosa, which are transmitted from one person to another or through dirty water.
The main symptoms of gastroenteritis
Pathology manifests itself quickly and sharply. With timely access to medical help, the disease does not last long and proceeds in a mild form. If treatment is not carried out or is prescribed incorrectly, then it can go into a more complex form.
The disease can be recognized by the following signs:
- sharp and severe abdominal pain of a cramping nature;
- rapid development of the disease;
- decreased appetite;
- nausea and vomiting, causing dehydration;
- severe dizziness, loss of consciousness, sometimes convulsions appear (these are the most dangerous symptoms of gastroenteritis);
- increased and weakened heart rate;
- pallor of the skin;
- bloating, gas in the stomach, frequent heartburn;
- diarrhea; mucus-like loose stools, sometimes with bloody discharge;
- with infectious gastroenteritis, the temperature rises.
If you have any symptoms of gastroenteritis, you should immediately consult a doctor. With dizziness and fainting, it is necessary to call a doctor at home, as these signs are a serious threat to human health.
How is gastroenteritis treated?
Treatment of this disease involves a set of measures. Therapy depends on the cause of the inflammation and the stage of development of the disease. At home, you can use folk remedies. When severe symptoms of gastroenteritis (fever, nausea, frequent loose stools) have already been removed, the patient can help his digestive system recover using a certain nutrition system and the use of herbal decoctions. Great remedies for the fight against the disease will be tincture of mint, fresh cranberry compote and a decoction of St. John's wort. A useful dish for the digestive system during treatment will be a thick oatmeal porridge on the water.
How to protect yourself from gastroenteritis
It is very difficult to prevent it, since viruses are quite easily transmitted from one person to another. However, it is worth observing some preventive measures during interaction with people. Hand washing and disinfection of premises are necessary in crowded places, for example, in kindergartens. If signs of gastroenteritis are manifested, the child should be suspended from visiting the institution. When eating at food points, you should be more careful about the choice of dishes.