Gastroenteritis is a disease that provokes disturbances in the functioning of the organs of the digestive system. Causes of gastroenteritis can be infectious or non-infectious. Depending on the type of disease, its symptoms will be slightly different. To cope with pathology, an integrated approach is required. Prevention of the disease comes down to observing the rules of personal hygiene and a competent approach to nutrition. Gastroenteritis is one of the most common diseases of the digestive system.
What is gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and small intestine. People most often call this disease the intestinal flu. The main viral agent that causes gastroenteritis is rotavirus. Adenoviruses, caliciviruses and other pathogenic flora can also provoke a violation. In some cases, the infection spreads to the large intestine. Then it is called gastroenterocolitis.
In the ICD system, the diagnosis was assigned code A09 – “infectious gastroenteritis (diarrhea)” and code K52 – “non-infectious gastroenteritis”.
Symptoms of gastroenteritis
The incubation period can last from 1 to 7 days. Although most often the disease makes itself felt on the first day of the infection. Symptoms in adults and children are practically the same. Although in adults they are not so pronounced, since among them a large percentage of patients are simply carriers of the infection. Therefore, it may resemble an exacerbation of gastritis, which will be accompanied by mild inflammation.
In many ways, the symptoms of the disease will depend on which pathogenic flora has affected the digestive organs. This affects the frequency of symptoms and their intensity. However, signs of a violation are always accompanied by a malfunction of the stomach and intestines.
Symptoms of gastroenteritis include:
Abdominal pain. It is concentrated in its upper part, as well as in the navel area. Painful sensations are intense, proceed as spasms. A person feels a desire to empty the intestines, vomiting may develop. After the act of defecation, the pain recedes, but for a while. She returns a few minutes later.
Liquefaction of the stool. At first it becomes mushy. The more frequent stools occur, the thinner the stool will be. If the chair occurs more than 15-20 times a day and this intensity of diarrhea persists for more than 2 days, you need to seek medical help.
Nausea. When the disease is mild, nausea may be the only symptom of gastroenteritis.
Vomiting occurs in severe and moderate course of the disease. It can happen several times until the stomach is completely cleared. If the inflammation is severe, then vomiting is repeated regularly. The person is not even able to drink water as it comes back out.
Flatulence, rumbling along the intestines, its overfilling with gases.
Increase in body temperature. The stronger the inflammation, the higher the marks on the thermometer will be. The elevated body temperature persists for 1-2 days. If after this time there is no improvement, then you need to consult a doctor.
Headache and muscle pain. These symptoms indicate intoxication of the body. To reduce them, do not take ibuprofen or other similar pain medication. Under its influence, the mucous membranes of the digestive organs become even more inflamed. To facilitate the patient’s well-being, efforts should be directed to the speedy removal of toxins from the body.
Increased weakness, dizziness. These symptoms occur due to the fact that a person does not eat and drink little water.
Dryness in the mouth. This symptom is dangerous, as it indicates increasing dehydration.
The severe course of the disease provokes dry skin.