What foods are good for acute gastroenteritis?

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on September 15, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
40sec home-news-image

What to avoid eating with gastroenteritis

Patients with gastroenteritis need to pay special attention to their diet, especially avoiding spicy, greasy, and irritating foods. They should also avoid strong tea and coffee, as these are necessary to abstain from. It is advisable to consume more bland or easily digestible foods, such as noodles, egg custard, and rice soup. Under strict dietary control, if symptoms do not improve, medication may be necessary. Common medications include those that suppress gastric acid secretion and protect the gastric mucosa, as well as antibiotics. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
46sec home-news-image

What department should I go to for acute gastroenteritis?

Symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever may indicate acute gastroenteritis. It is recommended to register for the Department of Gastroenterology, as acute gastroenteritis is primarily treated within this specialty. However, if the hospital does not have a Department of Gastroenterology, you can register for the Department of Internal Medicine for further examination and treatment. But if a large number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and pus cells are found in the stool, it is likely not acute gastroenteritis but bacterial dysentery, and it is advisable to register with the Department of Infectious Diseases or proceed to an infectious disease hospital for formal treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
48sec home-news-image

Is acute gastroenteritis serious?

Acute gastroenteritis is quite severe, as it can cause significant vomiting and diarrhea. Severe diarrhea can lead to symptoms of dehydration. Additionally, acute gastroenteritis can lead to decreased appetite, weight loss, and lethargy, affecting normal life and work. For acute gastroenteritis, treatment primarily involves medication, mainly antibiotics and antidiarrheal drugs. During treatment, it is recommended to eat smaller, more frequent meals. For severe diarrhea, it is advisable to refrain from eating and rely mainly on intravenous fluids for nutrition. Moreover, meals should be regular and controlled in quantity, avoiding overly spicy or greasy foods. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
52sec home-news-image

What should I do about acute gastroenteritis?

Acute gastroenteritis typically presents with symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, and sometimes accompanied by fever and chills. In such cases, it is important to rest, keep warm, avoid cold, and follow a diet that is light and easy to digest, such as rice porridge, soft noodles, etc. It is advisable to avoid raw, greasy, spicy, and alcoholic foods. Treatment should be based on the specific cause. For viral infections causing gastroenteric flu, antiviral and antidiarrheal astringents are commonly used. For bacterial infections causing infectious diarrhea, antibacterial and antidiarrheal treatments are needed, typically involving cephalosporins or quinolones. Generally, symptoms will gradually ease.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
45sec home-news-image

What foods should not be eaten with acute gastroenteritis?

There are also quite a few foods that should not be eaten during acute gastroenteritis. Firstly, spicy foods should be avoided, as the digestive function of the intestines is somewhat limited during gastroenteritis, and spicy foods can easily irritate the gastrointestinal tract, worsening the symptoms of gastroenteritis. Additionally, foods that are too cold or too hot should not be consumed. It is also advisable to avoid the stimulation of strong tea, coffee, and hard liquor. Instead, eat soft, easily digestible foods, consume less greasy food, and make sure to drink plenty of water. This helps to replenish fluids and prevent dehydration symptoms that might arise from gastroenteritis.