Can I Get Stomach Flu Treatment Online
Yes. The first line of treatment for stomach flu is hydration. In severe cases you may need medication to help fight off the pathogen causing the stomach flu. Common prescriptions our doctors write when treating patients online are: Immodium anti-diarrheal medicine to help solidify stool. Promethazine antiemetic medication to disrupt the function of acetylcholine, a naturally-occurring chemical that produces feelings of nausea and motion sickness. Tylenol, Ibuprofen analgesics reduce fever and alleviate aches and pains caused by abdominal inflammation.
How Do Doctors Treat Viral Gastroenteritis
Your doctor may prescribe medicine to control severe vomiting. Doctors dont prescribe antibiotics to treat viral gastroenteritis. Antibiotics dont work for viral infections.
In some cases, your doctor may recommend probiotics. Probiotics are live microbes, most often bacteria, that are like the ones you normally have in your digestive tract. Studies suggest that some probiotics may help shorten a case of diarrhea. Researchers are still studying the use of probiotics to treat viral gastroenteritis. For safety reasons, talk with your doctor before using probiotics or any other complementary or alternative medicines or practices.
Anyone with signs or symptoms of dehydration should see a doctor right away. Doctors may need to treat people with severe dehydration in a hospital.
What Not To Eat
Generally, avoid dairy, fibrous foods, and anything fatty or spicy.
- Dairy: Not everyone has a problem with milk when they have the stomach flu, but it could be hard to digest and can aggravate gas and diarrhea.
- Fiber: You dont need the extra fiber if your bowels are loose.
- Grease: Avoid greasy and salty foods like bacon.
- Spices: Stay away from tomato-based dishes, curries, and chili sauces.
Acupressure has been shown to be effective in treating some types of nausea. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center suggests finding pressure point P-6 by measuring the width of three fingers down from the bottom of your palm.
Press below that width with your thumb and youll feel a sensitive spot between two tendons. Gently massage with your thumb for two or three minutes.
Sea-Bands are a product worn on the wrists. These can be useful in treating nausea if the P-6 acupressure point gives you relief.
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How Long Does Stomach Flu Last
The stomach flu usually lasts less than a week. Be sure to stay home if you have symptoms, and continue to practice good handwashing afterward. The virus can still be in your stool for up to two weeks after youve stopped having symptoms, so be extra careful with your bathroom habits. Always wash your hands after having a bowel movement, and wash any soiled fabrics in hot soapy water.
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How Is The Stomach Flu Diagnosed
Stomach flu is primarily diagnosed through a physical examination and a patient medical history. Most cases will be diagnosed and treated by a general practitioner.
Symptoms are the best guide for diagnosis. The defining symptom of stomach flu is loose or watery diarrhea, but other symptoms might include.
- Low-grade fever
Loss of appetite, involuntary weight loss, and bloating might also be experienced.
Symptoms of gastroenteritis usually start suddenly , coming on in one or two hours. In addition to how quickly symptoms started, a healthcare provider will want to know:
- How long have you had symptoms?
- Do other people you know have similar complaints?
- Did you eat anything unusual recently, such as raw foods?
- Did you travel recently, especially outside the country?
A physical examination will help the healthcare professional rule out other conditions. The healthcare provider will carefully look for signs of dehydration, such as sunken eyes, limpness, dry mucous membranes , loose skin, or drowsiness.
Blood or stool tests are not necessary to diagnose a viral gastroenteritis, but a healthcare provider will use them to rule out other causes, such as a bacterial infection, parasite infection, or other intestinal problems. Blood or urine tests may be necessary if there are signs of dehydration.
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Why Drink Coke In Case Of Gastroenteritis
Studies have shown the role of phosphoric acid and sugar present in coke which has an antiemetic action .
It may therefore be wise to consume it quickly to stop nausea, but be careful, it must be degassed and drunk in small quantities.
Note also that the sugar it may contain accelerates diarrhea if not consumed in moderation.
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Who Is More Likely To Experience Nausea And Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting can occur in both children and adults. People who are undergoing cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy, have an increased risk of nausea and vomiting. Pregnant women in their first trimester may also experience nausea and vomiting, commonly referred to as “morning sickness.” It is estimated that 50 to 90 percent of pregnant women experience nausea, while 25 to 55 percent experience vomiting.
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Take A Look At Your Medications
Certain over the counter medicines like ibuprofen can cause stomach pain, especially if you take them on a regular basis. Always read the recommended dosage on over the counter pill bottles to ensure you can safely use them.
Prescription medication can also be a problem. Often, your prescription will come with instructions for the time of day to take a pill. If you are instructed to take your medicine before, during, or after a meal, make sure you follow those directions to avoid stomach problems.
Sometimes combining multiple prescriptions can be the origin of your abdominal pain or nausea. If you just started a new prescription and its causing you to feel sick or throw up, you should contact your doctor so they can help you come up with a solution.
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Remedies And Treatments For Bloated Stomachs
While stomach bloating will often resolve on its own, the following measures may help reduce bloating or address its underlying causes:
Exercise and Posture
Physical exercise can help reduce bloating and clear gas from the body. Posture adjustment can also help. The body retains more gas when you are lying on your back, so try to stay active throughout the day.
Over-the-Counter Medication
Both simethicone and activated charcoal are marketed as gas-reducers. The two have proven ineffective and/or inconsistent when used on their own in clinical trials. However, there is some evidence to suggest that they may work when combined or when used with magnesium oxide or loperamide .
Probiotics
The use of probiotics to help with digestive issues is common but little studied. Still, there is some evidence that using probiotics can help reduce stomach bloating. The formula in VSL#3 proved to reduce bloating in both adults and children in clinical studies.
Digestive Enzymes
One common cause of stomach bloating is the inability to digest certain foods. Most digestive enzyme supplements are effective only for people who cannot produce enzymes for medical reasons. However, over-the-counter enzymes have proven to help with the digestion of two commonly problematic foods: dairy and legumes .
If you have a hard time digesting the sugars in these foods, you might benefit from lactase supplements for dairy or alpha-galactosidase supplements for legumes.
Herbal Remedies
Diet
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What Are The Symptoms Of Stomach Flu
The main symptom of gastroenteritis is diarrhea. When the GI tract becomes infected during gastroenteritis, multiple activities from the virus brings on diarrhea. Malabsorption occurs because of the destruction of the gut cells called enterocytes. The virus can also disrupt the reasbsorption of water and induce secretory diarrhea, which is responsible for the loose liquidy stools.
- Headache and body aches.
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What Is Nausea And Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are not diseases, but rather are symptoms of many different conditions, such as infection , food poisoning, motion sickness, overeating, blocked intestine, illness, concussion or brain injury, appendicitis and migraines. Nausea and vomiting can sometimes be symptoms of more serious diseases such as heart attacks, kidney or liver disorders, central nervous system disorders, brain tumors, and some forms of cancer.
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Take Digestive Enzyme Supplements
Certain over-the-counter products may also help with bloating, such as supplemental enzymes that can help break down indigestible carbohydrates.
Notable ones include:
- Lactase: An enzyme that breaks down lactose, which is useful for people with lactose intolerance.
- Beano: Contains the enzyme alpha-galactosidase, which can help break down indigestible carbohydrates from various foods.
In many cases, these types of supplements can provide almost immediate relief.
If youre interested in trying a digestive enzyme supplement, a wide .
Summary
Many over-the-counter products can help fight bloating and other digestive problems. These are usually digestive enzymes that help break down certain food components.
What Do You Feed A Child With The Stomach Flu
Once your child has stopped vomiting, they can start to eat foods again. The best foods after the stomach flu are the BRAT diet of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.
“These foods are very easy to digest,” says Dr. Rojas. “Children can also have crackers, or grilled or boiled chicken.”
Children should avoid greasy, heavy or spicy foods for a few days after they experience vomiting. Avoiding dairy could also be beneficial due to a transient lactose intolerance after stomach flu, though infants should still breastfeed or have formula if able to tolerate.
Certain drinks, like apple juice or carbonated beverages, can make vomiting or diarrhea worse, so it’s best to stick to rehydration solution or plain water.
If your child has nausea or vomiting again, it’s best to stop the food until their stomach can settle.
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Can Gastroenteritis Be Prevented
Germs that cause gastroenteritis are contagious. The best way to avoid the illness is to keep the germs from spreading:
- Teach all family members to wash their hands well and often. They should wash for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. This is especially important after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food.
- Clean tabletops, doorknobs, and other surfaces that get touched a lot with a cleaner that kills viruses.
- Follow food safety guidelines to prevent bacteria and viruses from getting into food and drinks .
- Make sure your kids get all recommended immunizations on time.
How Can You Tell The Difference Between Norovirus Or Another More Serious Issue That Requires Medical Attention
People should see their doctor if there’s blood in their vomit or in their stool. That is a more serious warning sign. Its also important to see your doctor if your symptoms last longer than one week or if you have a fever higher than 103 degrees. That’s a little bit more concerning and could suggest that something else might be going on. People who feel like they’re dehydrated or have so much abdominal pain that they can’t tolerate it definitely need to go see their doctor or go to the emergency room.
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Simple Tips Everyone Should Practice
Stomach flu, also known as norovirus infection, is a contagious illness that can affect people regardless of age. The infectious disease often spreads in areas where people are in close contact for long periods, like cruise ships or prisons.
Because many different types of norovirus exist, its possible to contract the virus multiple times in a lifetime. It can be challenging to prevent this very transmissible illness, but you can take steps to try and prevent it.
This article will cover how the stomach flu spreads, different strategies for prevention, how to treat it at home, and when to see a doctor.
Catherine McQueen / Getty Images
The Benefits Of Powdered Charcoal
Even if you have charcoal capsules on hand, I recommend always keeping the powdered form on hand as well. Not only can powdered charcoal be used on external wounds, you also want the powder on hand for more serious situations like poisoning. The great thing about the charcoal powder is that it will immediately absorb toxins, viruses, and poisoning, whereas capsules take longer to digest. You can buy good food-grade activated charcoal HERE.
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Stomach Flu And Food Poisoning Defined
Stomach flu and stomach bug are informal terms for viral gastroenteritis, a sickness in which a viral infection causes inflammation in the stomach and intestines. The term stomach flu can be misleading, says UH internal medicine specialist Christopher Thomas, DO, because the illness in not caused by influenza, which attacks the respiratory system.
Though it shares a number of symptoms with viral gastroenteritis, food poisoning is a condition caused by the consumption of contaminated food or water. In fact, food poisoning is an umbrella term for any of the more than 250 foodborne/waterborne illnesses researchers have identified to date.
Vomiting And Diarrhea Treatment
The stomach virus infection is self limiting. It resolves over a period of time without any specific medication. Unlike bacterial diarrhea, diarrhea due to stomach virus does not respond to antibiotic treatment. The most important step in the management of stomach virus infection is correction of dehydration. The vomiting and diarrhea treatment essentially involves administration fluids and electrolytes.
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The Benefits Of Charcoal Capsules
Charcoal capsules will not work as immediately as the powder, but they are a good choice if you have someone that just cannot drink the powder in water. Charcoal does not have much of a taste but some may not be able to handle the gritty type texture, especially if they are very nauseous. Plus, capsules are always convenient to grab on the go or when traveling. If you know you have been exposed to a virus, taking a few capsules can be very effective. Buy Activated Charcoal Capsules here.
What Can Be Done To Control Or Relieve Nausea And Vomiting
There are several ways to control or relieve nausea however, if these techniques do not seem to ease the queasiness, talk to your doctor.
When trying to control nausea:
- Drink clear or ice-cold drinks.
- Eat light, bland foods .
- Avoid fried, greasy, or sweet foods.
- Eat slowly and eat smaller, more frequent meals.
- Do not mix hot and cold foods.
- Drink beverages slowly.
- Avoid activity after eating.
- Avoid brushing your teeth after eating.
- Choose foods from all the food groups as you can tolerate them to get adequate nutrition.
Treatment for vomiting includes:
- Drinking gradually larger amounts of clear liquids
- Avoiding solid food until the vomiting episode has passed
- Temporarily discontinuing all oral medications, which can irritate the stomach and make vomiting worse
If vomiting and diarrhea last more than 24 hours, an oral rehydrating solution should be used to prevent and treat dehydration.
Vomiting associated with surgery, radiation therapy, anticancer drugs, alcohol and morphine can often be treated with another type of drug therapy. There are also prescription and nonprescription drugs that can be used to control vomiting associated with pregnancy, motion sickness and vertigo. However, you should consult with your healthcare provider before using these treatments.
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Aromatherapy For Nausea And Vomiting
Aromatherapy may help relieve nausea and vomiting, although studies on its effectiveness are mixed.
To practice aromatherapy, try deep breathing with an open essential oil bottle, an essential oil diffuser, or add a few drops to a cotton ball.
Scents that are believed to have an effect on nausea can include:
Not all cases of nausea and vomiting require a visit to a doctor, especially if the symptoms are mild and temporary. However, you should call a doctor if:
- You or your child vomits for more than 24 hours.
- Theres blood in your vomit.
- You have signs of dehydration, such as infrequent urination, dark urine, and dry mouth.
- Vomiting comes and goes for more than a month.
- Youre losing weight from long-term nausea and vomiting.
How To Prevent The Stomach Flu
It seems like everyone knows someone whos had the stomach bug this winter. We think of this time of year mainly as the season for respiratory illnesses, but its actually high time for the spread of GI viruses, says , medical director of the Department of Infection Prevention and Control at CHOP. The main reason: Were all cooped up inside, keeping us in close contact with one another and those nasty viruses.
Once the stomach bug hits your family, you never want to get it again. But can you actually avoid a norovirus infection next year? And if your kid has managed to dodge the nasty virus half his classmates got this year, can your family really get through the spring without getting sick?
We asked Dr. Sammons for her best tips on how to prevent the spread of norovirus. Plus, she offers advice on caring for a child who does get sick.
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When Should A Doctor Be Consulted
The timing of the nausea or vomiting can indicate the cause. When it appears shortly after a meal, nausea or vomiting may indicate a mental disorder or a peptic ulcer. Nausea or vomiting one to eight hours after a meal may indicate food poisoning. Foodborne diseases, such as Salmonella, may take longer to produce symptoms because of the incubation time.
A person who is experiencing nausea should consult a physician if it lasts more than one week, and if there is a possibility of pregnancy. Vomiting usually lessens within six to 24 hours, and may be treated at home.
You should see your doctor if home treatment is not working, dehydration is present, or a known injury is causing the vomiting.
Take your infant or a child under 6 years old to the doctor if:
- Vomiting lasts more than a few hours
- Diarrhea is also present
- There is a fever higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit
- The child hasn’t urinated for six hours
Take your child over 6 years old to the doctor if:
- Vomiting lasts one day
- Diarrhea combined with vomiting lasts for more than 24 hours
- There are signs of dehydration
- There is a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
- The child hasn’t urinated for six hours
Adults should consult a doctor if vomiting occurs for more than one day, if diarrhea and vomiting last more than 24 hours, and if there are signs of moderate dehydration.
You should see a doctor immediately if the following signs or symptoms occur:
- Blood in the vomit
- Severe headache or stiff neck