Gastroenteritis is a common illness that causes vomiting, diarrhea, pain, and discomfort and affects eating and everyday life. In severe cases, it can even be life-threatening.
According to one study, there are around 180 million cases of acute gastroenteritis in the United States each year, causing over 470,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths.
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, usually caused by infection, food poisoning, bacteria, or viruses. While symptoms of gastroenteritis vary depending on its cause and severity, common symptoms include the following:
- Abdominal pain or discomfort: This includes mild or severe pain, usually in the upper or middle of the abdomen.
- Vomiting: This may be accompanied by a feeling of dizziness or nausea. In some cases, it can be caused by the body trying to get rid of an infection or harmful substance.
- Diarrhea: Most people with gastroenteritis have diarrhea, which may be accompanied by bloating or frequent bowel movements.
- Fever: Some people may have a low or high fever, depending on the severity of the infection.
- Loss of appetite: The gastrointestinal discomfort may lead to a loss of appetite or a temporary reluctance to eat.
- Weakness and fatigue: Gastroenteritis may cause weakness, fatigue, and headache.
- Dehydration: After diarrhea and vomiting, the body may lose a large amount of water and electrolytes, resulting in symptoms of dehydration, such as thirst, decreased urine output, dry mouth, and dry skin.
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In most cases, gastroenteritis is a relatively minor health problem that can be alleviated with proper rest, hydration, and dietary modifications. However, if symptoms are severe or prolonged, professional medical help should be sought for appropriate treatment.
What Can I Do to Improve Gastroenteritis?
Depending on the cause and condition of gastroenteritis, there may be different ways to improve the symptoms. Below are some common ways to help relieve the symptoms of gastroenteritis.- Rest: The body needs to get enough rest to help it recover. Proper rest helps reduce the body’s burden and gives the body more energy to fight the virus or bacteria.
- Eat right: Diet is the key to recovery. Choosing foods that are easy to digest, such as rice, noodles, apple cider vinegar, steamed vegetables, and light soups, will help reduce gastrointestinal burden. Avoid spicy food, greasy food, caffeine, sugary drinks, and other irritants.
- Drink plenty of water: It is essential to keep the body well-hydrated, especially in cases of diarrhea and vomiting. Increase drinking water to replenish what the body has lost.
- Take appropriate medications: In some cases, your doctor may recommend medications to relieve symptoms, such as anti-diarrheal medications and antibiotics (in the case of bacterial infections). These medications should be used under the supervision of a doctor.
- Maintain hygiene: To prevent the spread of viral or bacterial infections, strict attention to personal hygiene and frequent hand washing to avoid cross-contamination is important.
- Get moderate exercise: A moderate amount of light exercise can help improve blood circulation but avoid overly strenuous exercise that may aggravate the body’s burden. Some research suggests that strenuous exercise and dehydration may cause gastrointestinal symptoms. Intestinal ischemia is a significant cause of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and (bloody) diarrhea. In addition, ingestion of disease-causing food allergens can lead to anaphylaxis during or shortly after exercise. Intake of appropriate amounts of food and adequate water is essential to prevent these conditions.
- Avoid irritants: Avoid substances that may irritate the stomach and intestines, such as alcohol and tobacco.
- Take traditional Chinese medicine: When treating acute gastroenteritis, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners will use herbs such as Agastache Qi-Correcting Powder or Five Substances Powder With Poria to dispel cold and dampness if the main symptoms include watery diarrhea, headache, and a pale tongue with white coating.
Although the symptoms subside after an acute gastroenteritis attack, if the patient eats more or eats meat, he or she may experience abdominal bloating, soft and loose stools, and even diarrhea. In such cases, medicines to strengthen the spleen, intestines, and stomach will usually be recommended, such as Shenlingbaizhu decoction (Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder) and Six-Gentlemen Plus, so that the stomach and intestines can be restored to normal as soon as possible.
One study found that Chinese medicines such as Shenlingbaizhu Decoction alleviated diarrhea symptoms, regulated intestinal flora, and maintained the integrity of intestinal villi in mice.
In another study involving 83 patients and animal models of rotavirus gastroenteritis, the researchers observed the therapeutic effects of the Chinese herbal formula Qiwei Baizhu powder (Atractylodes and Pueraria Formula). The results showed that the powder can improve the absorption function of the small intestine, shorten the duration of diarrhea and fecal excretion of rotavirus, and reduce rotavirus-induced lesions in the small intestine.
Some of the herbs mentioned above may sound unfamiliar, but many can be found in health food and Asian grocery shops. Nevertheless, as each person’s constitution differs, please consult your physician for specific treatment options.
Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.
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