acute gastroenteritis dehydration symptoms

Written by Ren Zheng Xin

Gastroenterology

Updated on February 19, 2025

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Minor dehydration from acute gastroenteritis can manifest as dry mouth, sunken eye sockets, headache, dizziness, general fatigue, decreased appetite, and loss of skin elasticity. If symptoms worsen, signs of shock may appear, including reduced total blood volume, renal dysfunction, rapid weak pulse, low blood pressure, cold and wet limbs, and reduced or absent urine output. It is important to seek medical attention promptly if dehydration symptoms occur and treat according to the type of dehydration, while actively treating the acute gastroenteritis.

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Written by Li Ying

Gastroenterology

1min 18sec

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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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Written by Ren Zheng Xin

Gastroenterology

39sec

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Does acute gastroenteritis cause stomach pain?

Acute gastroenteritis, due to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, can cause gastric colic. Clinically, it may manifest as upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It often occurs in the summer and is directly related to improper diet. It can cause not only stomach pain but also electrolyte imbalance, intestinal perforation, and sepsis. Active use of medications should be undertaken for treatment, with attention to prevent dehydration. During the treatment period, eat a light diet, avoid spicy food, rest well, and keep the abdominal area warm.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua

Gastroenterology

1min 24sec

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What to eat for acute gastroenteritis?

For the diet of acute gastroenteritis, we recommend that patients consume easily digestible, clean foods and avoid overeating and pickled, spicy foods. It's important to maintain fluid intake to prevent dehydration. For medication, the use of anti-diarrheal, antispasmodic pain relievers, and drugs that regulate the intestinal flora can be added to treat the symptoms. Acute gastroenteritis is quite common in clinical practice, with patients presenting symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Abdominal pain often manifests as episodic colicky pain around the navel and dull pain. The main symptoms of nausea and vomiting are vomiting of stomach contents. Among these, diarrhea is the most common symptom, characterized by an increased frequency of bowel movements and watery stools, but most patients do not have symptoms of bloody stools. Of course, a small number of patients may also experience symptoms of chills and low fever. Thus, for patients with acute gastroenteritis, we can use antibiotics in small doses. (Medication should be administered under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin

Gastroenterology

55sec

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How to reduce fever in acute gastroenteritis

Acute gastroenteritis generally manifests as fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. If the fever does not exceed 38.5°C, antipyretic medications can be used, along with physical cooling methods such as wiping the patient's forehead, palms, and soles with a warm towel to facilitate heat dissipation through evaporation. If the fever exceeds 38.5°C, muscular injection of antipyretic drugs should be chosen, along with combined infusion therapy to prevent signs of physical collapse caused by high temperatures. At the same time, active use of antibiotics and antidiarrheal medications is advised. During treatment, a regular diet should be maintained, adopting the principle of eating small and frequent meals. Rest is important, and excessive fatigue should be avoided. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Ying

Gastroenterology

1min 2sec

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How to deal with acute gastroenteritis

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.