Gastroenteritis, is also known as the stomach flu or the gastric flu, which is a condition in which the stomach and the small intestine become extremely inflamed due to a viral or say a form of a bacterial infection. The primary causes of the gastroenteritis are the rotavirus, norovirus, and even the bacteria known as the Escherichia coli (abbreviated as the E. coli) and the Campylobacter. There are many other forms of the infectious agents that can cause it.
Gastroenteritis is an extremely contagious disease. Symptoms are typically visible within 12 to 48 hours after the exposure to the infectious agent and then last for about 2 to 10 days, depending on the type of the infection.
Common symptoms of gastroenteritis include the following :
It can also be accompanied by the fever, the headache, chills, the body aches, dry skin and also by dry mouth.
Anyone can suffer from the gastroenteritis, but children are more prone to it due to their overall weak immune systems.
When suffering from the gastroenteritis, it is essential to actually replenish the body with the fluids and the electrolytes as the diarrhoea and the vomiting create an imbalance of the electrolytes (salt and minerals) in the body, which causes the dehydration. Dehydration affects the body's overall normal functioning and can even delay the complete healing process. So, you need to drink plenty of water and the clear fluids like the broths, soups and rice water. Also, get as much rest as possible.
Along with the rehydration and rest, you can also try some of the simple and easy home remedies to help to treat the problem and also reduce the symptoms. It is usually a self-limiting condition that actually does not require medication. Here are some of those easy and natural home remedies :
Salt contains the sodium, which is an electrolyte that can be added to the water to prevent the overall dehydration caused by the vomiting and diarrhoea. Plus, salt will also help fight the infection and maintain the overall pH level of the digestive tract.
You can also try the commercially available electrolyte preparations to balance out the electrolytes and prevent the process of dehydration.
Ginger is also another very effective remedy for treating the gastroenteritis due to its antibacterial, its antiviral, anti-inflammatory and also its antioxidant properties. It can also prevent and treat the stomach infection, and it also reduces the frequency of the symptoms like the watery stools, nausea, vomiting and also the abdominal cramps.
Note: People with the high blood pressure should avoid the ginger remedies.
Being rich in the antioxidant, the antibacterial and the antiviral properties, asafetida combats the viruses and bacteria and thus helps to alleviate the symptoms of the gastroenteritis quickly and effectively. Plus, this spice will aslo improve the digestion and then strengthen the digestive tract.
To prevent the gastroenteritis and the other digestive problems, add a little bit of the asafetida to the curries and food on say a regular basis.
Apple cider vinegar will also help relieve many of the symptoms of gastroenteritis. It will also promote the proper pH level of the stomach and then it also is good to remove the harmful toxins from the body. Plus, being high in the pectin, it soothes an irritated stomach and it also works as an agent to reduce the stomach ache, nausea, vomiting and gas.
Being a natural antacid ,the baking soda can actually neutralize the acid in your stomach, which in turn will help to reduce the sour stomach and also the heartburn symptoms of gastroenteritis. Baking soda is also known to reduce the vomiting and the diarrhoea.
Note: People who have the high blood pressure should avoid taking the baking soda, which contains the sodium.
Basil, which has the antispasmodic properties and prevents the gastric spasms, is also a good remedy for the gastroenteritis. It can make your stomach stronger and also prevent many symptoms of the gastroenteritis.
Peppermint has to combat the antimicrobial and the antispasmodic properties that help to relieve gas, bloating, the upset stomach, nausea, and the stomach and also the intestinal cramps.
Chamomile is an effective remedy for treating the gastroenteritis due to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and the carminative properties that play a key role in the smooth functioning of your digestive system. It can relieve symptoms like the diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, bloating, the nausea and gas.
You can even add a few of the chamomile leaves to ice tea and then drink it frequently.
Bananas, both the ripe and raw, also help in the treatment of the gastroenteritis. The high content of the amylase-resistant starch in the bananas helps reduce the symptoms.
Bananas will also replenish the potassium and the magnesium, two important electrolytes required for the smooth functioning of the digestive system. Plus, bananas are also seen as a bland food that is easy to digest and it also helps in the recovery process.
Follow these aforementioned remedies until your digestive system is back on the right track.
To get rid of the 'bad bacteria' in the digestive tract and also to replace it with 'good bacteria' that can improve the overall digestion, start taking the probiotics. Probiotics can bring your digestive system back on the right track very quickly and give you the relief from the symptoms like nausea, the vomiting and even the diarrhea.
If you do not feel better within a week, always consult a doctor.
You could also opt for the following homeopathic remedies for the problem of gas. But you should always consult a doctor before consuming it. Some of these medications are :
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