What is acute gastroenteritis?

Written by Zhai Guo Dong
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 13, 2024
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Acute gastroenteritis often has a history of consuming unclean food, with an incubation period that usually ranges from several hours to several days, most commonly one to two days. The onset of acute gastroenteritis is typically characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, urgent and increased bowel movements, nausea, vomiting, fever, and even convulsions. The frequency of bowel movements may increase to 10-30 times a day, and the patient may experience mild fever among other symptoms. Severe diarrhea can be accompanied by stools containing pus and blood, along with vomiting. In severe cases, patients may also experience dehydration and even shock. Therefore, patients with acute gastroenteritis should try to replenish energy, avoid exacerbation of the illness due to electrolyte imbalance, and prevent severe dehydration.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Can I drink soy milk with acute gastroenteritis?

Patients with acute gastroenteritis should drink less soy milk during the onset of the disease. Although soy milk is rich in protein, it is not easy to digest and can aggravate the symptoms of gastroenteritis. The patient's diet should consist of eating smaller meals more frequently, focusing on foods that are easy to digest and low in fat. They can appropriately consume rice soup, noodles, and porridge. It is especially important to pay attention to food hygiene, washing hands before meals and after using the bathroom, and thoroughly heating up overnight food before eating. Avoid consuming raw, cold, spicy, or stimulating foods. Regular physical exercise should be maintained, and appropriate changes in clothing should be made on time with the change of seasons.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Causes of Acute Gastroenteritis

Acute gastroenteritis mostly occurs in summer and autumn, due to unhygienic eating habits and consumption of spoiled food. Additionally, a weak immune system or excessive fatigue can gradually lead to acute gastroenteritis. Therefore, it is important to prevent acute gastroenteritis by adopting a healthy lifestyle. This includes having meals regularly and in proper amounts, avoiding spoiled food, drinking plenty of water (preferably boiled water), ensuring the water is thoroughly boiled, maintaining a reasonable work-rest schedule, avoiding excessive fatigue, and eating less greasy and spicy food.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Is acute gastroenteritis a serious danger?

Acute gastroenteritis is quite common in everyday life. If the symptoms are mild, the harm is not particularly great, and symptoms can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and physical weakness. By using medication, recovery can generally be gradual over 2-3 days. If the symptoms are more severe, such as long-term recurrent diarrhea, it can lead to body dehydration, sunken eye sockets, dizziness, and headaches. Further dehydration can cause shock symptoms, such as decreased blood pressure and a thin pulse. It is necessary to visit a hospital in a timely manner, hydrate according to the type of dehydration, and treat with intestinal solidifiers, antidiarrheal, and antibiotic medications. (Please follow medical advice when using medications.)

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Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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Gastroenteritis dehydration symptoms

Gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu, mainly occurs due to simultaneous infections in the stomach and intestinal mucosa by bacteria or viruses. The primary clinical symptoms are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and watery stools—some experience it five or six times a day, and others more than ten times a day. Increased frequency of stools can lead to symptoms of dehydration. Excessive loss of body fluids can cause electrolyte imbalance and dehydration, presenting symptoms such as pale complexion, cold limbs, fever, and decreased blood pressure. In such cases, it is essential to go to the hospital for intravenous fluids as soon as possible. Oral rehydration solutions can also be used, but if the patient experiences severe nausea and vomiting, intravenous administration of glucose, saline, and potassium chloride is necessary. (Please rehydrate under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhai Guo Dong
Gastroenterology
55sec home-news-image

What is acute gastroenteritis?

Acute gastroenteritis often has a history of consuming unclean food, with an incubation period that usually ranges from several hours to several days, most commonly one to two days. The onset of acute gastroenteritis is typically characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, urgent and increased bowel movements, nausea, vomiting, fever, and even convulsions. The frequency of bowel movements may increase to 10-30 times a day, and the patient may experience mild fever among other symptoms. Severe diarrhea can be accompanied by stools containing pus and blood, along with vomiting. In severe cases, patients may also experience dehydration and even shock. Therefore, patients with acute gastroenteritis should try to replenish energy, avoid exacerbation of the illness due to electrolyte imbalance, and prevent severe dehydration.