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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What tests are done for chronic gastritis?

Chronic gastroenteritis is a chronic inflammation that occurs in the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. The basic pathological change is the infiltration of a large number of neutrophils or lymphocytes in the mucosa. Examinations mainly include endoscopy and routine stool tests. Gastroscope and colonoscopy can be used to assess the extent of mucosal lesions in the gastrointestinal tract, and routine stool tests can determine the presence of occult blood positivity. If there is blood in the stool, a routine blood test can also be conducted to check for chronic blood loss anemia. Based on the results of these examinations, the severity of the lesions can be understood, and appropriate medications can be actively chosen for symptomatic treatment.

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The difference between a stomach cold and gastroenteritis

Gastrointestinal colds and gastroenteritis generally have similar symptoms. Gastrointestinal colds are caused by viral infections or heatstroke, causing mild fever, runny nose, mild nausea, diarrhea, etc., typically without substantive white blood cells or pathogens in the stool. Gastroenteritis, on the other hand, involves actual pathological changes in the gastrointestinal tract, such as from Helicobacter pylori or E. coli infections, and usually does not cause fever, runny nose, or other complications. Typical symptoms include intermittent abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and other digestive system symptoms.

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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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How to thoroughly treat acute gastroenteritis?

The main treatment methods for acute gastroenteritis are as follows. Firstly, the patient should rest in bed. If the patient has persistent vomiting, or shows signs of dehydration caused by vomiting, it is necessary to promptly rehydrate the patient. Regarding the diet, it is advisable for the patient to consume liquid or semi-liquid foods, such as porridge and rice soup, to prevent dehydration. Secondly, it is crucial to treat the symptoms. If the patient has uncontrollable vomiting, we can administer antiemetic medications to alleviate this symptom. Thirdly, in the case of antimicrobial treatment, common gastroenteritis may involve bacterial infections, which require antibiotics for targeted treatment of infectious diarrhea. However, it is important to avoid overuse or misuse of these antimicrobial drugs. Furthermore, attention must be paid to dietary habits. It is essential to wash hands before meals and after using the toilet, and to properly disinfect raw vegetables, fruits, and meats, which should be thoroughly cooked before consumption, to effectively prevent the occurrence of gastroenteritis.

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Symptoms of gastroenteritis and cold

Gastroenteritis and the common cold generally manifest as two types of symptoms in clinical settings. The first type includes symptoms caused by upper respiratory tract infections. The second type involves gastrointestinal symptoms. Common symptoms of upper gastrointestinal tract infections include fever, fatigue, dry cough, coughing, sore throat, runny nose, and itchy throat, etc., typically lasting about a week. These symptoms are usually nonspecific and similar to those of a typical upper respiratory tract infection. The second type of symptoms generally involves gastrointestinal issues, presenting as abdominal discomfort, bloating, leg pain, and abnormal stool. Clinically, abnormal stools are often looser and more frequent, but typically do not involve bloody stools. These symptoms are generally not severe and can be observed.