How to Prevent Stomach Flu “Gastroenteritis”? Foods to Eat & Foods to Avoid!

Stomach Flu, Nausea, Vomiting And Diarrhea:

A. What is Stomach Flu? 

Stomach flu which is also known as Gastroenteritis is an infectious disease which is mostly caused by viruses and often caused by bacteria, parasites, and toxins etc. It causes inflammation and irritation of the stomach and intestinal area. Stomach Flu

In most cases, it lasts for 24 to 36 hours after which the patient starts recovering, therefore, it is also called 24 hours flu. During this infection, a patient has to suffer from severe stomach pains, vomiting, and diarrhea which can result in weakness and dehydration.

There’s no effective treatment for viral gastroenteritis, so prevention is key. In addition to avoiding food and water that may be contaminated, thorough and frequent hand-washings are your best defense.

B. Stomach Flu “Gastroenteritis” Causes:

Gastroenteritis can be caused by viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections. Viral gastroenteritis is contagious and is responsible for the majority of outbreaks in developed countries.

Common routes of infection include:

• Food (especially seafood).
• Contaminated water.
• Contact with an infected person.
• Unwashed hands.
• Dirty utensils.

In less developed countries, gastroenteritis is more often spread through contaminated food or water.

C. The Symptoms of Stomach Flu?

The main symptom of stomach flu is diarrhea. When the colon (large intestine) becomes infected during gastroenteritis, it loses its ability to retain fluids, which causes the person’s feces to become loose or watery.

Other Symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain or cramping.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Fever.
• Poor feeding (in infants).
• Unintentional weight loss (may be a sign of dehydration).
• Excessive sweating.
• Clammy skin.
• Muscle pain or joint stiffness.
• Incontinence (loss of stool control).

Because of the symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, people who have gastroenteritis can become dehydrated quickly. It is very important to watch for signs of dehydration, which include:

• Extreme thirst.
• Urine that is darker in color, or less in amount.
• Dry skin.
• Dry mouth.
• Sunken cheeks or eyes.
• In infants, dry diapers (for more than 4-6 hours).

D. Complications:

The main complication of Stomach flu is dehydration a severe loss of water and essential salts and minerals. If you’re healthy and drink enough to replace fluids you lose from vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration shouldn’t be a problem.

Infants, older adults and people with suppressed immune systems may become severely dehydrated when they lose more fluids than they can replace. Hospitalization might be needed so that lost fluids can be replaced intravenously. Dehydration can be fatal, but rarely.

E. Risk Factors:

Gastroenteritis occurs all over the world, affecting people of every age, race, and background.

People who may be more susceptible to gastroenteritis include:

1. Young Children:

Children in child care centers or elementary schools may be especially vulnerable because it takes time for a child’s immune system to mature.

2. Older Adults:

Adult immune systems tend to become less efficient later in life. Older adults in nursing homes, in particular, are vulnerable because their immune systems weaken and they live in close contact with others who may pass along germs.

3. Schoolchildren, churchgoers or dormitory residents:

Anywhere that groups of people come together in close quarters can be an environment for an intestinal infection to get passed.

Anyone With a Weakened Immune System:

If your resistance to infection is low for instance if your immune system is compromised by HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy or another medical condition you may be especially at risk.

F. Stomach Flu Treatment:

There’s often no specific medical treatment for viral gastroenteritis. Antibiotics aren’t effective against viruses, and overusing them can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Treatment initially consists of self-care measures

G. Stomach Flu Prevention:

There are several steps that you can take to reduce your risk of getting gastroenteritis, including:

• Washing your hands frequently, especially after going to the bathroom and when you are working with food.
• Cleaning and disinfecting kitchen surfaces, especially when working with raw meat or eggs.
• Keeping raw meat, eggs, and poultry away from foods that are eaten raw.
• Drinking bottled water and avoiding ice cubes when traveling, especially in developing countries.
• Get your child vaccinated, Given to children in the first year of life, the vaccine appears to be effective in preventing severe symptoms of this illness.
• Use separate personal items around your home, Avoid sharing eating utensils, glasses and plates. Use separate towels in the bathroom.
• Keep your distance. Avoid close contact with anyone who has the virus, if possible.

What To Do When You Have Stomach Flu?

When you have diarrhea, you want to make sure you are getting plenty of liquids down your body. Fast from solid foods for 36 hours (a night, a day, and a night). Drink plenty of liquids – dilute fruit and vegetable juices with filtered water to maintain your hydration.

Foods to Avoid:

• Milk and milk products: butter, cheese, ice cream etc.
• Sweetened fruit juices.
• Sugar, including honey.
• High protein foods: meat, eggs, nuts, and seeds.
• Fats: especially fried or greasy food.
• Any gluten-containing grains: wheat, rye, barley, and oats.
• Artificial sweeteners: mannitol, sorbitol, aspartame, and sucralose.

Foods to Eat:

• Ripe bananas (mashed).
• Rice Bran.
• Raw vegetables (high fiber).
• Carrot soup.
• Rice and rice cereals.
• Toast (plain).
• Acidophilus.
• Papaya juice.
• Applesauce or grated green apples.
• Carob and amaranth powder (rich in pectin): mix 1-Tablespoon Carob or amaranth powder in 1 cup of applesauce, water or rice milk. (Carob is really good at helping to stop diarrhea).
• Carrot and cabbage juice.
• Powdered cinnamon: use a ¼ teaspoon in applesauce or as a tea.

When you take your own health into your own hands, you can do amazing things. If you get the stomach flu or are affected by diarrhea, try a few of the tips and help yourself get well and back into your normal daily routine.

Effective Treatment For Nausea, Vomiting, And Diarrhea:

Here are a few tips for dealing with these conditions. If you are suffering from nausea and vomiting:

1. Do not attempt to eat- drink anything if you are vomiting very frequently:

Once your stomach starts to settle, sip on some clear liquids such as water, tea, ice pops, gelatin or sports drinks. Do not consume any alcohol.

2. If you feel better after consuming any of these clear liquids:

Try to consume larger amounts at shorter intervals. The idea is to replenish the liquids that have been lost due to vomiting.

3. If your body is tolerating the liquids well, and you have not vomited for at least 8 hours:

• Try a BRAT diet. That’s Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast.
• Do not have any jelly, butter or gravy.
• If you feel your stomach can handle it, try some plain bagels, baked potatoes or salted crackers.
• Do not have any cream soups, salads, vegetables or meats.

4. If your stomach holds up well on the BRAT diet for a minimum of 24 hours:

• You can then slowly start on a regular diet.
• Avoid fried foods and dairy products for at least another day.
• You can also try certain anti-nausea OTC medications every 6 to 8 hours as required, to deal with nausea. In case of symptoms such as aches or fever, try acetaminophen.

 

In Case of Diarrhea Symptoms:

• Follow a clear liquid diet until the time frequent watery stools discontinue. In some cases, caffeine and sugar might worsen diarrhea.
• As the frequency of the stools reduces, try the BRAT diet.
• As soon as the stool gets more formed, you can slowly start with a regular diet.
• Avoid high fiber foods like whole grains, salad and bran for a few more days and stay away from dairy products as well.
• You can try some OTC anti-diarrhea medications.

In Case of Nausea:

• Vomiting and diarrhea, if the symptoms do not ease within 24-48 hours, seek medical help.
• See a doctor if you suffer from dizziness, extensive weakness or pass out.
• If you are unable to tolerate any fluids for more than 12 hours or if there is blood in the stool or vomit, see a doctor immediately.
• The same applies if these symptoms are accompanied by a very high fever that does not subside within 24 hours.

 

If you find this article useful, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family, as you might help someone in need. Thanks.

Disclaimer: “Nothing in this article makes any claim to offer cures or treatment for any disease or illness. If you are sick please consult with your doctor.”

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