The beginning of summer also brings about its own share of illnesses, with one of the most common ones being gastroenteritis. Doctors say that almost two in five people get afflicted with what is commonly called the stomach flu or gastroenteritis. It is an infection of the intestines that is generally caused by viruses and results in stomach aches, fever, headaches, chills, body aches, cramps, vomiting and loose stools. Viral gastroenteritis can spread through contact with a physical person, through the touching of common surfaces and also through contaminated food and water.
What Is The Relationship Between Gastroenteritis And Dehydration?
As the body ends up losing more fluids and salts than it can replace at the same pace, the most common complication of gastroenteritis turns out to be dehydration. While mild dehydration can be easily combated by drinking fluids, severe cases of dehydration can even turn fatal as the body fails to retain enough fluids for continuing with regular organ function. Therefore, it is extremely important to keep monitoring dehydration levels and seek medical intervention when necessary.
How Do I Know That I Am Getting Dehydrated?
Dehydration causes dizziness, tiredness, headaches, weakness, muscular cramps, irritability, sunken eyes, dryness of the mouth and tongue and the creation of less than normal urine. Severe dehydration leads to very little urine production, weakness and confusion, reduced blood pressure, increased heart rate and may rapidly progress to shock or coma. Therefore, immediate medical attention is required in the case of severe dehydration. People who are more at a risk of getting dehydrated fast are children below five years of age, elderly people, pregnant women and people suffering from mental illnesses and autoimmune disorders.
How Can I Avoid Getting Dehydrated?
In most cases, treatment for gastroenteritis does not include medication, but is aimed mainly towards treating and preventing dehydration. To prevent getting dehydrated during a bout of gastroenteritis, one will need to increase fluid intake from what it is on regular days. Apart from drinking two litres of water every day, one needs to drink at least 200-250 ml of water after every loose motion. If the patient is vomiting, then the same amount of extra fluid should be gradually consumed in one to two sips 10-15 minutes after a bout of vomiting.
Adding oral rehydration salts to your water is a good idea at this time, since these specially prepared formulations have the right amount of salts and sugars that will help your body absorb water better. Not only this, but the salts present in these solutions are the ones that our body loses the most during bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting. People who are at a higher risk of dehydration, such as small children and pregnant women should be instantly started on these rehydration solutions as soon as diarrhoea starts.
When Should I Consult My Doctor?
Some special cases in which one should seek medical advice are:
- If you suspect you are dehydrated.
- If the vomiting or stools continue for more than two to three days.
- If there is blood in the vomit or stool.
- If you have severe abdominal pain or persistently high fever.
- If you already have another underlying medical condition like diabetes, heart disease, low/high blood pressure, pregnancy etc.
How Can I Prevent Gastroenteritis?
The best defence against gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and dehydration is prevention. Apart from always washing your hands with soap and water before every meal and after every toilet usage, it is also imperative that roadside food be avoided during the summer months. Special 'don'ts' are foods served near open drains, with ungloved hands or food that has been prepared long before it is eaten. Food washed or made with water that may not be as clean as the water that you regularly use for drinking should also be avoided. Eating healthy and practicing healthy habits will ensure that you and your family stay healthy and disease free during the hot summer months.
Source: Apollo Munich
Note: Please consult your Doctor for more details and guidance. This is just for the general awareness of the readers
Best Regards
Prakash Nair
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