Gastroenteritis – Why it Happens and How to Reduce Stomach and Intestinal Inflammation
The stomach and intestines are part of the human digestive system, and a proper, balanced diet helps us keep them healthy. Despite all the care we take with our diet, there are situations when we cannot avoid certain conditions. One of the most common conditions is gastroenteritis. Popularly known as the “stomach flu,” it affects people of all age groups, from infants to adults.
What is gastroenteritis, actually? It is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines that often occurs during the warm seasons. It is also one of the most common ailments because it is caused by various viruses and bacteria, existing in several types. Its diagnosis is made through a few tests, while the treatment is not based on many medications, but rather on an appropriate diet.
Gastroenteritis in Children and Adults: What It Is, Why It Occurs, and Its Types
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It is also known as stomach flu, enteritis, or enteroviral infection. It is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions and can occur in infants, children, and adults. It often sets in after consuming food and water contaminated with microorganisms and/or toxins. It is also more frequently encountered during the warm seasons.
Gastroenteritis is of two types:
- infectious;
- non-infectious.
Of these, infectious gastroenteritis is of several types. What differentiates them are the underlying causes for each. These are favored by certain factors, such as those below:
Risk Factors for Enteritis
Regardless of the type of gastroenteritis, some people are more predisposed to these infections. These include:
- young children, including infants and preschoolers;
- the elderly;
- people with various deficiencies and weakened immune systems.
Regarding the main risk factors, crowded places and communities are what can facilitate the transmission of gastroenteritis. Thus, when we come into contact with many people, we can become infected with viral enteritis.
Acute or Viral Gastroenteritis
One of the most common forms of gastroenteritis is viral or acute. As its name suggests, it is caused by various viruses. Another characteristic is that it often occurs in children. This is because, by spending a lot of time in the community (school, kindergarten), the risk of contracting various viruses is higher.
This is a type of infectious gastroenteritis, caused by:
- Norovirus, which is transmitted through contaminated water, food, or surfaces, as well as through contact with an infected person;
- Rotavirus, which is transmitted through direct contact with the saliva of an infected person, usually by using the same cup or cutlery;
- Adenovirus, which is transmitted through sneezing, coughing, and/or direct contact with an infected person;
- Coronavirus, which is transmitted through direct contact with an infected person;
Viral gastroenteritis appears 24 to 60 hours after infection, and its duration is 1 to 5 days.
Although these types of enteritis occur more frequently in infants and children, adults are not immune to them either. Furthermore, in addition to viruses, bacteria can also cause these “stomach colds.”
Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Another type of infectious gastroenteritis is caused by various bacteria. These include:
- Aeromonas;
- Campylobacter jejuni;
- Clostridium difficile;
- Listeria;
- Escherichia coli or E.coli;
- Salmonella.
In addition to these, other parasites that can cause gastroenteritis are Giardia, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Cyclospora. This type of infection most often occurs after consuming improperly prepared food and unpasteurized juices. It also occurs predominantly in the summer, when these products spoil more quickly.
Non-infectious Gastroenteritis
The last type of gastroenteritis is non-infectious. This is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It is caused by various conditions, diseases, and intolerances. Among its most frequent causes are:
- Crohn’s disease;
- ischemic colitis;
- celiac disease or gluten intolerance;
- lactose intolerance;
- heavy metal poisoning;
- administration of certain irritating medications (anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, steroids);
- tumors located in the digestive tract;
- radiotherapy or chemotherapy in cancer patients with weakened immune systems.
Non-infectious gastroenteritis is often encountered in adults who may suffer from one of the conditions mentioned above.
Diet in Gastroenteritis: What to Eat
The most widespread form of gastroenteritis in both adults and children is viral. Its biggest risk is dehydration due to diarrhea. Because viruses or bacteria affect the intestinal flora, a restrictive diet is most often recommended until the episode passes.
A diet for gastroenteritis often consists of:
- consuming large amounts of fluids (water and teas);
- consuming foods with complex carbohydrates prepared as simply as possible.
Among these foods are rice, potatoes, lean meat, bananas, and whole grains.
Diet in Gastroenteritis for Children
In the case of children, it is advisable to take a cautious approach to the diet for gastroenteritis. They need to be rehydrated with fluids such as water and tea. Then, gradual introduction of solid foods like bananas, boiled rice, baked apples, and toast can begin. It is also not recommended to consume dairy products, as children may develop a temporary intolerance to them.
Adjunct Supplements in Gastroenteritis Diet
Due to the restrictive diet in gastroenteritis, various dietary supplements can be consumed to help alleviate symptoms. One of the main supplements that helps regulate digestion after an episode of enteroviral infection is Aloe Vera Gel 3L ECO. It is rich in nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help restore colon motility, supporting the proper functioning of the intestines. It also regulates digestive function after gastroenteritis, regardless of whether it is viral or bacterial.
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Gastroenteritis: Common Symptoms
In most cases, gastroenteritis symptoms in adults, infants, and older children appear 24 to 72 hours after infection. They may be milder at first but can worsen as the enteritis progresses.
Among the most common symptoms of gastroenteritis are:
- diarrhea accompanied by abdominal pain or cramps;
- bloating;
- nausea and vomiting;
- mild fever;
- headaches;
- muscle aches;
- sweating;
- general malaise;
- weight loss.
If it worsens, gastroenteritis can have the following manifestations:
- high fever, over 38 degrees Celsius;
- intensified abdominal pain;
- dehydration;
- bloody vomit;
- lethargy;
- loss of consciousness or fainting.
This is also the time when it is advisable to see a doctor for a clear diagnosis. It is also good to know that symptoms can manifest differently in duration in children and adults.
Symptoms of Gastroenteritis in Infants and Children
Children are the most affected by acute gastroenteritis, with rotavirus often being the main “culprit.” Also, infections with norovirus, Campylobacter, and Salmonella lead to this condition among preschoolers and schoolchildren. In infants, the incidence of these episodes can be as high as 2 or 3 times a year.
Why does gastroenteritis occur and how long does it last in children? The main causes that lead to its onset are:
- communal living;
- consumption of insufficiently cooked food;
- consumption of food that is not stored properly, especially during the warm seasons.
Acute gastroenteritis can also occur in infants, with the primary cause being direct contact with the saliva of an infected person. Children between 6 months and 2 years of age are often infected with either rotavirus or adenovirus. The duration of such an episode can range from 3 or 4 days to longer, depending on the virus with which the little ones came into contact.
How does gastroenteritis manifest and how long does it last in children?
Children may experience various symptoms when they have gastroenteritis, including:
- diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and muscle aches in case of norovirus infection, with an average duration of 3 days;
- vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite in case of rotavirus infection, with a gastroenteritis duration that can last up to a week;
- in case of adenovirus infection, symptoms are often similar to those of a cold, consisting of cough, fever, sore throat, and nasal discharge that can last between 3 and 4 days.
What else we need to know is that in children, gastroenteritis lasting more than a week is often caused by E. coli infection.
The biggest risk of gastroenteritis in infants and babies is dehydration. Another important aspect is that there is a vaccine for rotavirus infection.
Besides children, adults can also suffer from gastroenteritis, although its incidence among them is lower.
Symptoms of Gastroenteritis in Adults
The most common form of gastroenteritis in adults is viral or acute. It often occurs in the entire family, given its contagious nature. Among them, just like in children, rotavirus is the main cause of its onset.
The symptoms of acute gastroenteritis in adults have a sudden onset and include:
- loose stools;
- weakness and general malaise;
- vomiting;
- loss of appetite.
Adults can also suffer from non-infectious gastroenteritis as a result of pre-existing conditions.
Non-infectious Gastroenteritis in Adults
This form of gastroenteritis often manifests in people suffering from certain diseases, such as gluten and lactose intolerance or diabetes. Also, people with compromised immune systems can suffer from non-infectious enteritis. Regarding symptoms, they will be the same as in the case of infectious enteroviral infections.
How is gastroenteritis diagnosed and relieved? There are a series of tests that can be performed. As for treatment, it is prescribed to alleviate symptoms, with the diet being very important in this condition.
Gastroenteritis: Diagnosis and Treatment
Bacterial, acute, or viral gastroenteritis, in both children and adults, is diagnosed by a specialist in gastroenterology or internal medicine.
The diagnosis is made based on symptoms. However, there are also some tests that can be done. These include:
- blood tests checking ESR and C-reactive protein;
- stool samples through parasitological examination and/or stool culture.
Regarding treatment, medications that treat symptoms will be prescribed, such as:
- prebiotics and probiotics that help restore intestinal flora;
- antispasmodics that help with abdominal pain;
- antiemetics for nausea.
In the case of bacterial gastroenteritis, however, antibiotics may also be prescribed, but only after performing an antibiogram. This test is used to detect which antibiotic the bacteria respond to.
Nevertheless, the first and most important steps in alleviating gastroenteritis symptoms in children and adults are rehydration and a proper diet. In addition, supplementation with natural products such as Aloe Vera Gel 3L ECO is always a welcome help, given the benefits it offers.
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In conclusion, what is gastroenteritis? It can take the form of a viral or bacterial infection, but it can also be non-infectious. It affects both children, even infants, and adults. The main causes are the consumption of improperly stored food or the transmission of the virus from an infected person to a healthy one.
Its diagnosis is based on symptoms, which often include severe diarrhea and discomfort throughout the digestive tract. For its relief, medications can be prescribed to reduce this discomfort, and they must be accompanied by a restrictive diet until the episode passes. During this period, one can consume plenty of fluids for rehydration, as well as certain supplements that help overcome states of malaise.
References:
Gastroenteritis (“Stomach Flu”)
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/gastroenteritis
Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu)
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/viral-gastroenteritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378847
Stomach Flu
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12418-stomach-flu
What to Know About Viral Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)
https://www.healthline.com/health/viral-gastroenteritis
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