How to cure gastroenteritis?

In France, the majority of cases of acute diarrhea correspond to gastroenteritis of viral origin, most often commonplace and short-lived, but challenging for the body. In these cases, the treatment has three essential objectives: to prevent contamination by hygiene measures, to avoid dehydration, to reduce the intensity and the duration of the diarrhea. Antibiotics are indicated only in case of proven invasive bacterial infection.

Summary

1. Protect the patient and his entourage from the gastr
2. Gastroenteritis: compensating for water and salt losses
3. Reduce the intensity and duration of diarrhea
4. Gastroenteritis: when to consult?
5. Special features of the child in case of acute diarrhea / gastroenteritis
6. Special case of elderly people with acute diarrhea / gastroenteritis

Each year brings a lot of viral gastroenteritis. Symptoms of this digestive system infection include acute diarrhea. The latter is most often benign but challenging for the body. To overcome a gastro, except cases of profuse diarrhea with signs of bacterial invasion (fever, deterioration of the general condition), significant vomiting preventing oral rehydration and fragile or at risk individuals (Infants, especially before 2 years old, elderly, patients with certain chronic diseases), three therapeutic measures are generally enough to overcome the problem.

Protect the patient and his entourage from the gastro

Gastroenteritis is a very contagious disease. Hygiene measures should be taken to avoid reinfestation of the patient and contamination of his surroundings. For this, it is important to:

• Wash your hands thoroughly, especially after each evacuation, before preparing meals and eating,
• Do not touch your mouth or nose without washing your hands before;
• Use disposable paper tissues that are thrown away;
• Avoid sharing toiletries such as toothbrush and cutlery,
• Disinfect toilets and washbasins regularly (especially after each diarrhea and vomiting);
• Also disinfect all that is frequently touched: door handles, remote control, telephone ...;
• Avoid busy places when you are sick.

These simple measures are often overlooked. Yet the best way to fight an epidemic is to prevent contamination.

Gastroenteritis: compensating for water and salt losses

The essential measure in case of gastroenteritis is to compensate for the loss of fluid and sodium because the significant losses of these elements can have serious consequences, especially in children and the elderly. Therefore, dehydration should be prevented or debilitating dehydration should be corrected orally. Approximately, the volume of fluid to be consumed must compensate for the weight suddenly lost by diarrhea.

• For adults, you have to drink more than usual (at least two liters a day) by favoring drinks containing sugar and salt to compensate for losses, in the form of sugar water, herbal teas, mineral water, vegetable broths. Sometimes recommended, Coca-Cola can quench thirst and bring sugar but it does not contain salt. In addition, the gas must be removed before drinking.
• It is best to drink often and in small amounts, especially if there is nausea or vomiting associated. In this case, ingestion of sugar is important to prevent ketosis (lack of sugar) because of fasting. If necessary, a nausea and vomiting medicine can be taken with the advice of your pharmacist or doctor, respecting the doses and the duration of the treatment. Sub-lingual forms are preferable because they do not need to be swallowed to make an effect.
• If there is a fever, it is usually moderate and disappears spontaneously. Eventually, an antipyretic drug can be taken.
• On the diet side, it is preferable to use salt-free, high-sugar, residue-free foods such as white pasta and rice, cooked carrots and crackers. Raw fruits and vegetables as well as frozen drinks should be avoided. Again, small amounts should be taken at short intervals until symptoms improve and / or tolerance to a normal diet is restored.

Reduce the intensity and duration of diarrhea

The adapted diet, as indicated in the previous paragraph, helps to reduce the intensity and duration of diarrhea. Always with the advice of your pharmacist or doctor, some medications can decrease the duration and intensity of diarrhea and at the same time help relieve symptoms. There are two main types of drugs that can be used:

THE SLOWERS OF INTESTINAL TRANSIT

They reduce intestinal contractions and reduce the number and frequency of bowel movements. The most commonly used is loperamide, which, like all other medicines, is necessary to respect the doses and duration of the treatment. Antisecretory drugs such as racecadotril (Tiorfan) are also useful.

Note that these transit retarders should not be taken in case of ulcerative colitis, ileocolitis or if your doctor advises you not to slow the transit.

ADSORBENTS / INTESTINAL PROTECTORS

Their action is exerted locally at the level of the intestine by different mechanisms (covering power, reduction of gases). Because of their interactions with other medications, they are to be taken away from other treatments. The most used are diosmectite (Smecta), activated charcoal or attapulgite.

These medications should not be used for bowel stenosis (narrowing) or dilation of the colon, or for people who are bedridden or have reduced physical activity.

Sometimes antispasmodics such as phosphoglucinol sub-lingual (Spasfon Lyoc) or an analgesic such as paracetamol can be used to relieve spasms and pain.

Other drugs that can be used are Lactobacillus acidophilus, the famous probiotics, to help restore the intestinal flora or even intestinal antibacterials such as nifuroxazide but the interest of these is limited in France.

Finally, phytotherapy or homeopathy treatments are also used in short courses.

Gastroenteritis: when to consult?

You should consult your doctor promptly in the following cases:

• Persistent or worsening symptoms after 2 days of treatment with you
• If you have dry mouth and very thirsty (signs of dehydration), or if you have a sudden loss of weight, 2 Kg or more;
• In case of profuse diarrhea and / or uncontrolled vomiting, bloody or sluggish diarrhea, high fever, malaise and / or severe abdominal pain (risk of invasive bacterial infection which will require appropriate antibiotic treatment, most often at hospital);
• If you return from a trip to a tropical country or in poor hygiene conditions;
• If diarrhea occurs during or just after antibiotic treatment;
• If the diarrhea comes back more or less regularly by episodes;
• If you have a heart valve disease, or a condition or treatment that decreases your defenses (HIV infection, cancer, corticosteroid treatment, chemotherapy ...).

Special features of the child in case of acute diarrhea / gastroenteritis

Overall, it is advisable to consult your doctor for any child aged 2 years or less with acute diarrhea / gastroenteritis, with or without vomiting. He will then tell you, based on the symptoms, the context and his state of hydration or his tolerance to food if you can try oral rehydration at home with the help of rehydration sachets. In parallel, watch him carefully: take his temperature, count his stool and vomit, take care that he does not lose too much weight.

As for the adult, the consultation should be done urgently in case of presence of blood or mucus in the stool, high fever, deterioration of the general state or apathy, signs of dehydration (absence of tears, decreased urine excretion ...), which will require intravenous rehydration in the hospital.

Special case of elderly people with acute diarrhea / gastroenteritis

Like the toddler, the elderly are less sensitive to the sensation of thirst and may not spontaneously show the need for water supplementation in case of diarrhea. If the person is monitored and shows no signs of dehydration, profuse diarrhea, severe vomiting or signs of bacterial diarrhea, rehydration with 1-2 liters of saline water may be tried, alternating with natural water to avoid salt overload. At the slightest doubt, you must consult your doctor quickly.