What foods are good for acute gastroenteritis?

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on September 15, 2024
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For patients with acute gastroenteritis, it is mainly important to prevent very strong irritation to the entire mucosa of the digestive tract, otherwise symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea may occur. For patients with acute gastroenteritis, in terms of diet, it is mainly important not to consume spicy and stimulating foods, to eat easily digestible foods as much as possible, and not to eat too much coarse dietary fiber, as this may be beneficial for alleviating the disease.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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How many days does acute gastroenteritis last?

The course of acute gastroenteritis generally lasts about 7 to 10 days. Patients typically have an acute onset, presenting with abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and abnormal stools. The abdominal discomfort is usually centered around the navel or the lower abdomen, predominantly characterized by intermittent cramping pain. Vomiting usually occurs more severely after eating and generally involves expelling stomach contents, without accompanying hematemesis or bile, and recurs frequently. Abnormal stools commonly involve more frequent bowel movements, colloquially known as diarrhea. Along with an increase in stool frequency, the stool tends to be looser in texture, and some patients may have watery stools, thus typically it presents as an acute episode. General treatment involves diet adjustment and, when necessary, the addition of some oral medications. Generally, conditions gradually improve over about 7 to 10 days. (Please take medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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Written by Zhai Guo Dong
Gastroenterology
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What is acute gastroenteritis?

Acute gastroenteritis often has a history of consuming unclean food, with an incubation period that usually ranges from several hours to several days, most commonly one to two days. The onset of acute gastroenteritis is typically characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, urgent and increased bowel movements, nausea, vomiting, fever, and even convulsions. The frequency of bowel movements may increase to 10-30 times a day, and the patient may experience mild fever among other symptoms. Severe diarrhea can be accompanied by stools containing pus and blood, along with vomiting. In severe cases, patients may also experience dehydration and even shock. Therefore, patients with acute gastroenteritis should try to replenish energy, avoid exacerbation of the illness due to electrolyte imbalance, and prevent severe dehydration.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Can acute gastroenteritis cause shock?

Acute gastroenteritis, if it causes severe vomiting and frequent diarrhea, can lead to obvious dehydration and may cause shock. During shock, symptoms such as a drop in blood pressure, pale complexion, lethargy, and physical weakness appear, and timely fluid replenishment therapy is necessary. Additionally, proactive use of anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medications, as well as drugs that stabilize the intestines and stop diarrhea, can reduce symptoms of diarrhea. Moreover, during treatment, it is important to adjust the diet, eat smaller and more frequent meals, and consume more vegetables and fruits to supplement plant-based fibers.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Which department should I go to for acute gastroenteritis?

Acute gastroenteritis should be treated in the gastroenterology department of the hospital. Acute gastroenteritis is mostly caused by unclean food or excessive fatigue, with the main symptoms being abdominal pain and diarrhea, accompanied by signs of dehydration in the body. Treatment mainly involves the use of antibiotics to control the infection and antidiarrheal medications to treat diarrhea. It is important to promptly replenish fluids and water if there is significant dehydration. During treatment, a light diet should be maintained, eating small meals frequently, and avoiding spicy, stimulating, and greasy foods. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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What are the symptoms of acute gastroenteritis?

Acute gastroenteritis is one of the common diseases in gastroenterology, especially prevalent in the summer and autumn seasons. It is usually caused by exposure to cold or contaminated food. The main symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Depending on the cause, symptoms can vary; for instance, a viral infection causing gastroenteric flu often accompanies symptoms such as dizziness, headache, fatigue, body aches, sore throat, or fever. Infections caused by contaminated food often lead to abdominal pain and diarrhea, with stools frequently appearing mucous or containing blood and pus. Lab tests often show an elevated white blood cell count.