Gastroenteritis

Revision as of 02:43, 1 February 2015 by Steven2 (Talk | contribs)

Gastroenteritis is actually the formal medical term for stomach flu, also known as gastric flu or stomach virus or infectious diarrhea.
See also : diarrhea.

Causes

Gastroenteritis is caused by a bacterial infection, commonly rotavirus in children, and norovirus in adults.

Symptoms

The condition is most commonly characterized by extreme nausea, cramping, and stomach pain, further manifesting in vomiting, diarrhea, or both. This decidedly unpleasant sickness usually doesn’t last more than 3-4 days before your body can eliminate the viral or bacterial infection, but it can also last longer, making life quite miserable.

Natural Remedies

  • Tree Turmeric is used for swelling of the stomach and intestines (gastroenteritis).
  • Huang Lian Su is used for intestinal bacteria causing bacterial dysentery, diarrhea, food poisoning, gastroenteritis, abdominal distension; also acute and chronic appendicitis, tooth abscess, canker sores, strept throat, and sinus infection.
  • Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Wan : In China, this Chinese medicine is a household herbal remedy recommended by doctors for stomach flu and for seasonal gastrointestinal disorders.
  • Arsenicum Album is used for food poisoning that includes vomiting, gastroenteritis from too much alcohol.
  • Cinchona Officinalis is recommended for symptoms such as indigestion with terrible burping or a sensation that food swallowed is somehow stuck in the throat. There is often gas in the system, but it is difficult to expel for an unknown reason. There are often terrible bouts with diarrhea and the appetite is disturbed as a result of all of this. These symptoms may occur on their own or may come about as a result of gastroenteritis or gallbladder disorders.
  • Veratrum Album is used for severe type of diarrhea, generally attributed to some more serious condition such as cholera, gastroenteritis, or even dysentery.
  • Self-heal is used for inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), diarrhea, colic, and stomach upset and irritation (gastroenteritis).
  • Hui Chun Wan is most often used for childhood convulsions (possibly with wheezing, nausea, nighttime crying, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive mucus/saliva) or other conditions that involve fever, impaired or loss of consciousness, irritability, restlessness such as seizure disorders, meningitis, measles, and gastroenteritis among others.
  • Podophyllum is an appropriate remedy for gastroenteritis and is extensively used for this purpose. It is most effective when the lower portion of the digestive tract as well as the liver is affected.
  • Yogurt : One of the most important tools in the battle against gastroenteritis is already in your body, but excessive vomiting and diarrhea can compromise that defensive line. Beneficial bacteria in the gut helps to digest food and protect your gastrointestinal system from infections, but that bacteria is often lost through violent vomiting and diarrhea. Probiotics can be found in high concentrations in yogurt, and this can not only soothe your stomach, but also promote the regrowth and protective capacity of the beneficial bacteria in your gut to speed up the healing process.
  • Dietary Restrictions: Many people want “comfort food” when they are ill, but if those foods happen to take the form of spicy food, caffeine, dairy products, or high-fat foods, the end result isn’t going to be pretty, and you’ll end up being far more uncomfortable in the long run. Stick to simple foods and cut out anything that is typically difficult to digest.
  • Chamomile Tea: As one of the oldest and most trusted remedies for an upset stomach, chamomile tea is also ideal for treating gastroenteritis. The strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile tea can help to settle the stomach and eliminate nausea and vomiting, in addition to boosting the immune system to combat whatever the cause of your stomach flu happens to be.
  • Ginger : This ancient cure-all is also quite useful in the area of gastroenteritis. The active components within ginger are powerful and versatile, including its ability to soothe the stomach and protect the inner lining of your stomach from dangerous bacteria. Chewing on ginger has also been known to eliminate nausea, although brewing ginger tea is probably the most common application of ginger for the stomach flu.
  • Fluids : One of the biggest dangers of gastroenteritis is dehydration. To put it bluntly, when you are vomiting and experiencing diarrhea, your body is rapidly losing its fluids, making you feel worse and slowing down every process of your body, including your immune system and compromising your digestive tract. You must replenish those fluids in your body before you will begin to feel better, so drink as much water as possible to keep hydrated.
  • Mint : The powerful organic compounds in mint have long been praised for their cooling, soothing, and anti-inflammatory effects. Chewing on mint leaves for gastroenteritis and related stomach issues has been in practice for thousands of years. Brewing fresh mint tea is also an effective remedy against vomiting, as it can reduce that inflammation in your gut.
  • Cinnamon : One of the less “scientific” remedies for gastroenteritis is the consumption of cinnamon and honey tea, which has been a home remedy for centuries. The exact pathway of how this helps gastroenteritis is unknown, but honey and cinnamon both have powerful organic compounds that promote immunity and reduce inflammation.
  • Turmeric : This popular spice is known and consumed all over the world and is often considered one of the most versatile and effective herbal remedies for a wide range of health conditions. The complex mixture of antioxidants, bioflavonoids, vitamins, and minerals found in turmeric make it a wonderful tonic for an upset body, particularly if you’re suffering from gastroenteritis.

Warnings

References

Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.

Last modified on 1 February 2015, at 02:43