Simple ways to prevent & deal with gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis, while rarely fatal, hits hard and fast. But with these tips, you could speed your way to recovery, or avoid it in the first place.

An inflammation of the lower digestive tract, gastroenteritis has many causes:

• Infection with a virus
• Bacterium or parasite
• Ingestion of toxic substances
• Allergy or intolerance to food
• Medication
• Laxative abuse

• Gastroenteritis caused by parasites can strike in any country.
• Parasites can be transmitted in a variety of ways, such as through unsanitary food handling, contamination of drinking water and close physical contact with an infected person.
• Gastroenteritis caused by common bacteria or viruses is often referred to as stomach flu.
• Provided the infecting organism is a bacterium or virus and not a parasite, symptoms usually clear up within a few days.
• Nausea and vomiting are not much more than a temporary inconvenience to otherwise healthy adults and older children.
• In vulnerable groups — babies, the elderly and people with a suppressed immune system — gastroenteritis can be debilitating and requires medical attention.

• When vomiting and diarrhea persist longer than 48 hours, your doctor may prescribe a medication, and maybe an antibiotic, to quell nausea.
• Tests may be needed to discover the cause of gastroenteritis, such as food sensitivity or exposure to toxic substances.
• Because some drugs can cause severe gastro­enteritis, contact your doctor if any digestive upset occurs while you are taking an antibiotic or other medication.
• The doctor may decide to switch you to another medication or therapy.

• If you have stomach flu, give your digestive system a rest from solid food, but drink plenty of liquids.
• Sipping ginger ale can help to calm any surges of nausea.
• Chicken broth with rice is a palatableway to rehydrate . The broth re­places fluid, sodium and potassium, and restores the balance of electrolytes. The rice has a binding effect on the bowel.
• Don't drink alcohol or beverages containing caffeine. They stimulate the digestive tract and can actually worsen diarrhea.

Reintroduce solid foods gradually. As your bowel settles down, try with small portions of the BRAT diet — bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.

• The bananas provide potassium and carbohydrates.
• Rice is easily digested and provides energy.
• Unsweetened applesauce contains pectin, a soluble fibre that helps add bulk to the stool.
• Dry toast provides energy in the form of carbohydrates but doesn't over-tax the digestive system.

• After about 48 hours, you should be able to tolerate other simple solid foods.
• Start with steamed or boiled potatoes, cooked vegetables and a boiled or poached egg.
• Keep up your fluid intake with water and juices, and resume a normal diet as soon as you feel up to it.

• Leave dairy foods until last. Some infections can temporarily interfere with your ability to digest lactose.
• Cheese fat is difficult to digest and stays in the stomach longer than other foods.
• Many people find they can tolerate low-fat yogurt, even when other dairy foods ­provoke digestive problems.

When gastroenteritis strikes, it won't be comfortable. But if you focus on keeping your fluids up, and reintroduce food at a reasonable pace, you could be feeling better much more quickly.