Gastroenteritis, or stomach flu, is a common problem these days and can hit an individual at any time. It is also accompanied by different health conditions, like diarrhea and vomiting. The stomach and intestines become irritated in this condition and get inflamed. This is most commonly caused by a viral or bacterial infection. There is no doubt that when it hits, it disturbs the regular lifestyle of a person and sometimes calls for an emergency as well. But don’t worry, because there are stomach flu remedies that can be used.
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with stomach flu and want to learn everything there is to know, you’ve come to the right place and should keep reading. Here we will be discussing all the relatable details so that you can understand the problem and adapt the best remedy to treat it!
Symptoms of Stomach Flu Include:
The major symptoms that you will experience with stomach flu include watery diarrhea and vomiting. This is also accompanied by fever, nausea, cramping, headache, and stomach pain.
Due to diarrhea and vomiting, a person becomes dehydrated and it leads to a dry mouth and dry skin. If this is happening to you, be sure to call the doctor and take the liquid drinks to stay hydrated.
Consuming water in sips can help people deal with this condition.
The causes of Stomach Flu:
Exploring the causes of stomach flu, it is majorly caused by a virus attack on the gastrointestinal system. It is caused by the influenza virus that is responsible for giving seasonal flu.
Not to forget that it can affect people of all ages across the world. Some other causes behind this transmittable condition include:
- Eating contaminated food
- Drinking contaminated water
- Sharing utensils with others who have the stomach flu
- Be in close contact with someone suffering from this virus.
- Get in touch with contaminated surfaces.
- Neglecting cleanliness
Best Stomach flu Remedies:
After knowing about the symptoms and causes of stomach flu or gastroenteritis, you might be curious to know about the best remedies to adapt. These are as follows:
1. Stay hydrated:
Staying hydrated will make it easier to deal with stomach flu. Fluids are important because vomiting, diarrhea, and sweating cause a loss of vital body fluids, which must be replaced by maintaining fluid intake. Be sure to take small sips at regular intervals so that you will not feel heavy and it will help your body retain the fluids as well. The drinks you can adopt include:
- Clearwater like broth and simple water
- Sports drinks such as these will help you feel energetic.
- Over the counter preparations
- Ginger and peppermint tea are helpful in curing the stomach and alleviating nausea.
Note: all the drinks are not safe for you, so it is important to know what you should not drink. Be sure to avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol. These things are responsible for upsetting your stomach and can worsen the condition.
2. Rest is important for recovering.
Rest is the most effective way to recover from stomach flu. If you are suffering from an infection, be sure that you are getting enough rest because if you get exposed to surroundings where such dust particles occupy a place, this will weaken your immunity system. In return, it interferes with the recovery period as well. Therefore, try to get enough rest. Also, do not try to engage in unnecessary activities like exercising or anything else during the resting period because this may also cause some problems and make you dehydrated.
3. Acupressure to reduce nausea:
Acupressure has proven to be an effective remedy to treat different types of nausea. You can simply approach the most experienced person around and get it done. But make sure you are not trying it without expert guidance, because doing the same may lead to some other problems. For treating nausea, the P6 acupressure point is considered. If you have an idea about the P6 pressure point, you can do it on your own.
4. Follow the BRAT diet:
A BRAT diet is important for a person to adapt. You might be thinking about what it is. Well, it is a combination of banana, rice, applesauce, and toast. These are the best ingredients that will help you feel recovered and energetic. Also, these are very helpful in providing relief to an uneasy stomach. Let’s have a look at the details:
- Bananas: Bananas are easily digestible and replace potassium you are losing from vomiting and diarrhea. It is also helpful in strengthening the stomach lining.
- Rice: White rice can be easily processed by the body and provides energy from carbs. Make sure not to have brown rice because it is responsible for producing excess gas and has too much fiber in it.
- Applesauce: Due to the presence of sugar and carbs, applesauce acts as a natural energy booster. It contains pectin, which helps in dealing with diarrhea and is easy to digest.
- Toast: Be sure to use white bread because it is very easy to digest. Don’t go for whole wheat bread due to the high fiber content in it.
Some food items are there that you need to avoid, including spices, greasy products, salty foods, fiber, and dairy products.
5. Take medication as prescribed by the doctor:
When you approach the gastroenterologist for stomach flu treatment, he will suggest certain medications. Be sure to take the medications on time because if you are avoiding these medications, the problem will not be cured.
Along with that, be sure to know whether the particular medications are suitable for you or not. Some people are so sensitive that they can get allergies to such medicines. Therefore, ask the doctor about it and discuss the same.
What are the Complications of Gastroenteritis?
When you are suffering from gastroenteritis, there are certain complications linked to it. This includes:
- Dehydration
- Body weakness
- Nutritional imbalance
- Muscle weakness
- Dry mouth
- Confusion
- Blood in the stool
- Diarrhea lasting longer than a few days
- Dizziness
- No urine for more than 8 hours.
Remedies for treating stomach flu in children:
If your child is suffering from stomach flu, then hydration is the best way to treat them. It helps them get safely recovered with it. Also, you can prepare a rehydration solution at home by taking water, sugar, and salt in a desirable composition. One can choose the composition according to the age of your child.
The symptoms are different in different people, but this has been caused by bacteria and viruses only. It is important to approach the doctor in a timely manner to get the treatment.
Here we have shared all the details about stomach flu. If you are a Jaipur resident and are suffering from gastroenteritis or stomach flu, don’t wait to approach the Best Gastroenterologist in Jaipur.
FAQ:
How long does the stomach flu last?
Stomach flu typically lasts 1–3 days. Some symptoms may be there for as long as 10 days as well. When you are suffering from stomach flu, it is important to approach the gastroenterologist in a timely manner to get the treatment.
How long does stomach flu recovery take?
Stomach flu almost always lasts 1-3 days because it rarely lasts longer. But the bowel habits will return to completely normal within 7 to 14 days. The main cause of stomach flu is dehydration. Therefore, it is important to stay hydrated to treat the condition.
Which foods can cause stomach flu?
According to research, some foods can cause stomach flu, and this includes:
- Overly sweet foods
- Caffeine
- Dairy products
- Fatty foods
- Contaminated food
How do you feel when you have the stomach flu?
The most common symptoms of stomach flu are diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. These may also be accompanied by pain in your belly, fever, and headache. If this lasts for more than 48 hours, these are the symptoms of stomach flu, and you need to see the doctor.
Read More Articles:-
- How long does it take to get over gastroenteritis?
- What is the best way to treat gastroenteritis?
- What are the causes of pancreatitis?
- What Is The Best Food To Eat If You Have A Stomach Ulcer?
Conclusion of the Post:-
In this Article, We Can Discuss What Are the Stomach Flu Remedies? Symptoms, Treatment, and Causes in 2022? Do you know about whom we are talking? We are talking about Dr. Shankar Dhaka as he is the best one in the town. You can approach him and discuss the problem you are going through.
He will undoubtedly describe to you the best medication that will help you get relief from the condition in a matter of days. For sure, you will be able to resume your activities within 5 days!
