Gastroenteritis
What is Gastroenteritis?
Gastroenteritis refers to the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, especially the linings of stomach and the intestines. This infection may be caused by bacteria or other parasites found in spoiled food or unclean water. Another form of the disease, the viral gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu occasionally attacks human beings.
The severe forms of the disease can be quite dangerous, especially for children and small babies. A form of the disease, the traveler’s diarrhea often attacks persons travelling to foreign countries. People may experience from vomiting and nausea.
The severity of the disease is based on the power of the immune system of the affected person. However, most people recover from the disease automatically and without any help of medicines. In severe cases, however, the disease may require medical attention.
Symptoms of Gastroenteritis
Although called stomach flu, the disease has nothing to do with the respiratory organs. The germs usually attack the intestines and most of the symptoms are thus related to abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract.
The most common symptoms of gastroenteritis include; diarrhea (usually non bloody diarrhea), pain in the abdomen and sometimes, cramping, nausea, vomiting or both, pain in the muscles and headache, and low-grade fever. Refusal of feeds (babies), loss of appetite (older children), tummy ache, lethargy and drowsiness are also common symptoms of the disease.
In babies and children, vomiting and subsequent loss of electrolytes and water from the body may result in dehydration. It is a life threatening condition if not treated well within short time.
The symptoms of gastroenteritis usually stay for a couple of days before vanishing. However, depending upon the severity of the condition, it may last as long as 10 days.
Diagnosis of Gastroenteritis
The diagnosis of gastroenteritis is usually made by inspecting the signs and symptoms. A physical exam may also be undertaken. The cases which are caused by rotaviruses can be diagnosed by testing the stool. However, there are no sample tests that can confirm presence of other viruses. The doctor may advise for a stool test, sometimes, to detect the presence of bacteria and other parasites, too. The doctor may also look for other patients suffering from the same disease from the local community of the patient to diagnose the disease.
The laboratory tests performed to diagnose gastroenteritis include Examination of stool for toxins, (e.g. Clostridium difficile toxin). Stool cultures may be performed for the organisms that cause the disease, such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella and enterotoxic Escherichia coli. In some cases microscopy is also performed for parasites and their ova and cysts. Another important test for checking the presence of virus is ELISA test.
Causes of Gastroenteritis
The most common causes for the onset of gastroenteritis are the bacteria and viruses. However, parasites and use of medications for long time can also cause the disease.
The bacterial causes for gastroenteritis are rare but they tend to be more severe and can cause serious damages. The major bacteria responsible for gastroenteritis include campylobacter, shigella and E. coli infections.
Escherichia coli are responsible for food poisoning, traveler’s diarrhea, dysentery, colitis and uremic syndrome.
Salmonella is mainly responsible for typhoid fever. The bacteria may be acquired by handling poultry. It may also be obtained from reptiles such as turtles that carry the germs.
Campylobacter is mainly found in undercooked meat and unpasteurized milk. Shigella, on the other hand, is mainly responsible for dysentery.
The viral infections are mainly caused by adenoviruses, rotaviruses, caliciviruses, astroviruses and norovirus. Among these, the norovirus is the most severe and are related for nearly 40% cases of viral outbreaks.
Protozoans and parasites may also be behind the gastroenteritis outbreaks. Among these giardia is a major reason of waterborne diarrhea that causes giardiasis. Cryptosporidium is mainly responsible for watery diarrhea that results from a weakened immune system.
Continuous usage of medications can also be responsible for causing gastroenteritis. The most influential medicines include aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, antibiotics, caffeine, steroids and laxatives.
Sometimes, inability to tolerate the sugar lactose in milk and milk based products may also lead to the disease. Additionally, exposure to heavy metals, such as arsenic, lead and mercury may also lead to gastroenteritis.
Types of Gastroenteritis
Gatroenteritis may be broadly divided into four parts. The types are viral gastroenteritis, bacterial gastroenteritis, amebic dysentery and bacillary dysentery.
The viral gastroenteritis is caused by viruses and the most common symptoms of viral gastroenteritis include watery diarrhea, vomiting, headache, fever and abdominal cramps.
Bacterial gastroenteritis is caused by various bacteria. The major symptoms of bacterial gastroenteritis include food poisoning, dysentery, traveler’s diarrhea, colitis and uremic syndrome etc.
Amebic dysentery is a type of bacterial bowel infection and ulceration caused by ameba. Some people are symptomless carriers of the amebic dysentery. Sometimes, anemia and weight loss is observed during this condition.
The bacillary dysentery or shigellosis is caused by shigella and affects the intestinal tract. The symptoms may include bloody diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps.
Treatment of Gastroenteritis
Self treatment: Gastroenteritis can be self treated at home in milder cases. Basically, the aim of the treatment is to rehydrate. Clear fluids, such as Popsicles and jell-o can be used to treat the condition. Gradually the patient may be given other foods depending upon the toleration limit. However, too much fluid in too short time can worsen the condition of nausea.
Dehydration in children can be treated by various rehydration solutions available in the market, including Rehydrate, Pedialyte, Resol, and Rice-Lyte. The rehydration solution in the amount of1-3 ounces should be given after each loose stool to children. Grown up children should be given 3-8 ounces of the solution. Adults can take as much solution as possible. Bland foods can be given after 24 hours.
In case of dehydration among adults, clear fluids may be given. However, after 24 hours banana, rice, applesauce etc. can be given. The dehydration is mainly cause due to constant vomiting that result in loss of liquids from the body.
In rare cases, antibiotics may also be advised. However, antibiotics are usually not prescribed due to the side effects. However, if a specific bacterial cause is identified and if the condition is too severe, antibiotics is the only option that remains plausible.
Living with Gastroenteritis
Gatroenteritis is not a long term disease and usually it gets resolved automatically within a few days. However, proper care should be taken for stopping the disease become severe. Usually, there is loss of enough liquid which may lead to dehydration. The primary aim of controlling gastroenteritis is to stop dehydration from getting severe. Plenty of clear fluids should be taken regularly for maintaining the electrolytes’ balance in the body. Moreover, the patient should try to start normal foods as soon as possible.
Prevention of Gastroenteritis
Prevention of gastroenteritis requires taking instant steps to improve the condition by infection control, maintaining proper food hygiene and avoiding certain foods. Washing the hands with a proper soap after toilets is the first step in preventing the spread of gastroenteritis. Moreover, the utensils and clothes that are common with a patient should be avoided. Maintaining food hygiene includes avoiding mixture of raw and cooked foods, washing hands before taking meal, cooking the food thoroughly and avoiding foods whose expiry date has past. To stop traveler’s diarrhea some foods, such as tap water, fruit juices sold by a street vendor, ice cream, ice cubes, shellfish, eggs, salads, raw, or undercooked, meat, peeled fruit, mayonnaise and sauces should be avoided.
