How to deal with acute gastroenteritis

Written by Li Ying
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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When diagnosing acute gastroenteritis, we generally assess whether the symptoms match those of acute gastroenteritis. This typically involves examining the frequency of bowel movements, often more than ten times, with stool colors usually yellow-green. Some may appear like egg drop soup, while others have watery stools, and severe cases might include mucus, nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite, and complications like hypokalemia due to severe vomiting. Other symptoms include abdominal bloating and fever, and in severe cases, it may even lead to unconsciousness. Thus, it is important to conduct routine stool tests and check for white blood cell counts to aid in diagnosis followed by subsequent treatment. In terms of treatment, it principally includes bed rest and symptomatic relief, alongside possible antibiotic therapy. Maintaining hygiene, proper management of drinking water, and stool are essential preventive measures for such conditions.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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How long does acute gastroenteritis hurt?

Acute gastroenteritis, due to spasms in the gastrointestinal tract, involves significant pain. If the intestinal inflammation is minor, the symptoms of abdominal pain usually improve noticeably after defecation. However, if the inflammation is severe, the abdominal pain can be intense, with more frequent episodes of diarrhea, and the pain lasts for a longer duration. Medical treatment involves using medication to relieve spasms and pain, using antibiotics to eliminate the inflammation, and appropriately supplementing fluids to maintain the balance of water and electrolytes. If necessary, spasm-relieving medication can be administered by injection. At the same time, it is important to maintain a reasonable routine, ensure plenty of rest, and observe a good prognosis with active treatment. (Note: Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor based on the specific condition.)

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Is it normal to have a fever with gastroenteritis?

If it is acute gastroenteritis, its onset is sudden and the course of the disease is short. The main symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever. The primary cause is due to unhygienic food consumption leading to bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal tract causing inflammation. It is a disease caused by bacterial infection. Fever is one of its most common symptoms. Thus, acute gastroenteritis does cause fever. The treatment primarily involves anti-inflammatory measures, rehydration, and symptomatic treatment. Generally, after two to three days of treatment, the disease will heal. After recovery, it is essential to pay attention to food hygiene, avoid eating overnight leftovers and spoiled food as they can easily trigger acute gastroenteritis.

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Written by Zhai Guo Dong
Gastroenterology
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How long does it take for gastroenteritis to get better?

If it is acute gastroenteritis, make sure to rest in bed as much as possible, replenish with glucose electrolyte solutions, and handle symptoms accordingly. Recovery often occurs within three to seven days. If it is chronic gastroenteritis, specific analysis based on the particular conditions is required. Chronic gastritis and enteritis often cannot be completely cured, only partially alleviated in terms of symptoms.

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Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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Acute gastroenteritis pain level

The level of pain in acute gastroenteritis is generally divided into ten levels clinically: levels one to three are mild, four to six are moderate, and seven to ten are severe. This classification is mainly based on the patient's expression and self-perceived intensity of pain. In cases of acute gastroenteritis, there is often the possibility of experiencing spasms, or pain stimuli might trigger inflammatory infections. Generally, the pain is often above level eight. However, if there is mild pain, or it does not accompany fever, it is usually around level one to three. Therefore, once a patient experiences abdominal pain, an intramuscular injection of scopolamine butylbromide can be used to relieve the pain and help the patient stabilize.

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Written by Zhai Guo Dong
Gastroenterology
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Do you have a fever with gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis mainly presents symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea, with an increased frequency of bowel movements, ten times or even more than ten times, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. There may be irregular fevers, such as low-grade fever, and severe cases can develop high fever. Subsequently, the symptoms of the patient become more severe, manifesting restlessness and lethargy, even confusion or coma. Therefore, we must pay special attention and not take it lightly.