Is acute gastroenteritis serious?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 14, 2024
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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.)

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Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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Gastroenteritis dehydration symptoms

Gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu, mainly occurs due to simultaneous infections in the stomach and intestinal mucosa by bacteria or viruses. The primary clinical symptoms are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and watery stools—some experience it five or six times a day, and others more than ten times a day. Increased frequency of stools can lead to symptoms of dehydration. Excessive loss of body fluids can cause electrolyte imbalance and dehydration, presenting symptoms such as pale complexion, cold limbs, fever, and decreased blood pressure. In such cases, it is essential to go to the hospital for intravenous fluids as soon as possible. Oral rehydration solutions can also be used, but if the patient experiences severe nausea and vomiting, intravenous administration of glucose, saline, and potassium chloride is necessary. (Please rehydrate under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Acute gastroenteritis causes and symptoms

Acute gastroenteritis is common in summer and autumn, often caused by consuming unclean food. Consuming chilled watermelon or cola straight from the refrigerator can also trigger acute gastroenteritis. The primary symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Frequent diarrhea can lead to signs of dehydration in the body, such as sunken eyeballs and pale lips. For acute gastroenteritis, immediate fluid replacement therapy should be administered, and antibiotics should be used to control the infection along with medications to stop diarrhea and firm up the stools. (Please take medication under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Is acute gastroenteritis a serious danger?

Acute gastroenteritis is quite common in everyday life. If the symptoms are mild, the harm is not particularly great, and symptoms can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and physical weakness. By using medication, recovery can generally be gradual over 2-3 days. If the symptoms are more severe, such as long-term recurrent diarrhea, it can lead to body dehydration, sunken eye sockets, dizziness, and headaches. Further dehydration can cause shock symptoms, such as decreased blood pressure and a thin pulse. It is necessary to visit a hospital in a timely manner, hydrate according to the type of dehydration, and treat with intestinal solidifiers, antidiarrheal, and antibiotic medications. (Please follow medical advice when using medications.)

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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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.)

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Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
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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.