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 as a result of the addition of some kind of infection. Mostly this disease is infectious, but sometimes it appears for other reasons.
Gastroenteritis can be caused by factors such as:
- malnutrition;
- poisoning with expired or low-quality products;
- entering the body of viruses, bacteria;
- overeating, not drinking enough;
- long-term antibiotic treatment that disrupts the balance of the intestinal microflora.
Rotaviruses, calceviruses, astroviruses and adenoviruses are the most common causes of gastroenteritis. Less common is bacterial gastroenteritis. Also, intestinal parasites can penetrate into the intestinal mucosa, which are transmitted fromone person to another or through dirty water.
Main symptoms of gastroenteritis
Pathology manifests itself quickly and abruptly. With timely seeking medical help, the disease does not last long and proceeds in a mild form. If the treatment is not carried out or prescribed incorrectly, then it can turn into a more complex form.
You can recognize the disease by the following signs:
- sharp and severe abdominal pain of a cramping nature;
- rapid development of the disease;
- appetite reduction;
- nausea and vomiting causing dehydration;
- severe dizziness, loss of consciousness, sometimes convulsions appear (these are the most dangerous symptoms of gastroenteritis);
- increasing and weakening of the pulse;
- pale skin;
- bloating, gas in the stomach, frequent heartburn;
- diarrhea; mucus-like liquid stools, sometimes with bloody discharge;
- fever rises with infectious gastroenteritis.
If you develop any symptoms of gastroenteritis, you should immediately consult a doctor. In case of dizziness and fainting, it is necessary to call a doctor at home, as these signs are a serious threat to human he alth.
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 symptomsgastroenteritis (high fever, nausea, frequent loose stools) have already been removed, the patient can help his digestive system recover with the help of a certain nutrition system and the use of herbal decoctions. Mint tincture, fresh cranberry compote and a decoction of St. John's wort will be excellent means to combat the disease. A he althy dish for the digestive system during treatment will be thick oatmeal in water.
How to protect yourself from gastroenteritis
Preventing it is very difficult, 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 is necessary in crowded places, for example, in kindergartens. If signs of gastroenteritis appear, the child should be removed from visiting the institution. When eating at food outlets, you should be more careful about the choice of dishes.
