Can acute gastroenteritis cause shock?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 28, 2024
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Acute gastroenteritis, if it causes severe vomiting and frequent diarrhea, can lead to obvious dehydration and may cause shock. During shock, symptoms such as a drop in blood pressure, pale complexion, lethargy, and physical weakness appear, and timely fluid replenishment therapy is necessary. Additionally, proactive use of anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medications, as well as drugs that stabilize the intestines and stop diarrhea, can reduce symptoms of diarrhea. Moreover, during treatment, it is important to adjust the diet, eat smaller and more frequent meals, and consume more vegetables and fruits to supplement plant-based fibers.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Acute gastroenteritis causes and symptoms

Acute gastroenteritis is common in summer and autumn, often caused by consuming unclean food. Consuming chilled watermelon or cola straight from the refrigerator can also trigger acute gastroenteritis. The primary symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Frequent diarrhea can lead to signs of dehydration in the body, such as sunken eyeballs and pale lips. For acute gastroenteritis, immediate fluid replacement therapy should be administered, and antibiotics should be used to control the infection along with medications to stop diarrhea and firm up the stools. (Please take medication under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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What are the symptoms of acute gastroenteritis?

Acute gastroenteritis is one of the common diseases in gastroenterology, especially prevalent in the summer and autumn seasons. It is usually caused by exposure to cold or contaminated food. The main symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Depending on the cause, symptoms can vary; for instance, a viral infection causing gastroenteric flu often accompanies symptoms such as dizziness, headache, fatigue, body aches, sore throat, or fever. Infections caused by contaminated food often lead to abdominal pain and diarrhea, with stools frequently appearing mucous or containing blood and pus. Lab tests often show an elevated white blood cell count.

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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 Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Which department should I go to for acute gastroenteritis?

Acute gastroenteritis should be treated in the gastroenterology department of the hospital. Acute gastroenteritis is mostly caused by unclean food or excessive fatigue, with the main symptoms being abdominal pain and diarrhea, accompanied by signs of dehydration in the body. Treatment mainly involves the use of antibiotics to control the infection and antidiarrheal medications to treat diarrhea. It is important to promptly replenish fluids and water if there is significant dehydration. During treatment, a light diet should be maintained, eating small meals frequently, and avoiding spicy, stimulating, and greasy foods. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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What to do about acute gastroenteritis?

Acute gastroenteritis is considered to be caused by unclean food or bacterial and viral infections. It is important to actively provide symptomatic treatment. For nausea and vomiting, use antispasmodic and antiemetic medications; for repeated diarrhea and dehydration, use intestinal firming and antidiarrheal medications; for obvious bacterial infections, antibiotics should be used, preferably quinolones. Be sure to drink plenty of water and replenish fluids in a timely manner. During the acute phase, do not eat anything to avoid overburdening the gastrointestinal tract. After recovery, increase the consumption of vegetables to enhance nutrition and improve the body's resistance. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)