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Feeling cold with diarrhea: Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis) : Symptoms, Causes & Diagnosis

Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis) : Symptoms, Causes & Diagnosis

Overview

What is stomach flu (gastroenteritis)?

Gastroenteritis is inflammation (irritation) of your intestines. People usually call it a “stomach bug” or “stomach flu,” even though it’s not limited to just influenza. Although most people report stomach pain, gastroenteritis can also involve your small intestines and colon.

How common is stomach flu (gastroenteritis)?

Stomach flu is common. More than 20 million people get sick each year in the U.S. with an intestinal upset. Viruses are the most common cause of stomach flu.

Who gets stomach flu (gastroenteritis)?

Anyone can come down with stomach flu. But you’re more likely to get it if you’re in a place where lots of people share living or dining spaces, such as:

  • Children in daycare or at camp.
  • Nursing homes.
  • Students living in dormitories.
  • Military personnel.
  • Prisons.
  • Psychiatric wards.
  • Cruise-ship passengers.
  • Travelers to less-developed countries.
  • Anyone with immune compromised state.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes stomach flu (gastroenteritis)?

You can get sick from bacteria, parasites, toxins and viruses. Viruses are the most common cause of so-called stomach flu. Norovirus is often the culprit for adults, while rotavirus is frequently to blame for stomach flu in children. These viruses mostly infect the lining of the small intestine.

What are the symptoms of stomach flu (gastroenteritis)?

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.

Can stomach flu cause a fever?

You might get a fever when you have stomach flu. A fever can be a sign that your body is fighting an infection. You may feel sweaty, clammy or have the chills. You may also get a headache or ache all over your body.

Is the stomach flu worse in some people?

In general, most people recover quickly from the stomach flu. Symptoms can be worse in babies, young children, older adults or anyone of any age that is immune-compromised. Vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration (not enough water in the body) within just a short period of time, depending on the circumstances. Signs of dehydration include:

  • Extreme thirst.
  • Less urine output than usual (no wet diapers for three hours or more in infants).
  • Urine that is darker in color.
  • Sunken cheeks or eyes.
  • Lightheadedness, dizziness upon standing.
  • General weakness.

Why does stomach flu hit at night?

In some people, the stomach flu symptoms may be more pronounced at night due to their circadian rhythm. At night an increase in immune system activity releases infection-fighting chemicals. These can cause inflammation that make you feel worse as you battle your flu.

Is stomach flu (gastroenteritis) contagious?

Viral stomach flu spreads easily to others. You can catch a stomach flu virus any time of the year, but the common norovirus is more widespread from November to April when people tend to be more indoors. Because a variety of viruses can cause stomach flu, you might get different versions of gastroenteritis many times throughout life.

It’s spread from person to person by coming into contact with tiny, invisible particles from a sick person’s stool or vomit if you:

  • Touch a surface and come in contact with the germs and you touch food or your mouth.
  • Eat or drink food or beverages that have a sick person’s germs.
  • Have close contact with someone who has stomach flu (even if they have no symptoms).

Diagnosis and Tests

When should you see a doctor for stomach flu (gastroenteritis)?

You’ll likely be able to fight off stomach flu virus without seeing a healthcare provider. If you have signs of dehydration (dark, infrequent/low urine output, dry mucous membranes, lightheadedness, dizziness, etc.), you should seek medical care right away. Also call your healthcare provider if you have:

  • High fever.
  • Bloody diarrhea.
  • Severe pain.
  • Symptoms that fail to improve/resolve over time.

How is stomach flu diagnosed?

Healthcare providers often can diagnose stomach flu from your symptoms. But your provider may want to rule out other illnesses with some tests:

  • Stool samples: Tests look for bacteria, viruses or parasites in your stool
  • Sigmoidoscopy: A doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera from the anus into the lower large intestine to look for signs of inflammatory bowel disease. The sigmoidoscopy is a 15-minute procedure that doesn’t usually require sedation.

Management and Treatment

How can I get rid of stomach flu (gastroenteritis)?

The most important things you can do to feel better faster are rest and staying well hydrated. Between diarrhea and vomiting, your body loses a lot of water and electrolytes. If your belly is still upset, you can take small, frequent sips of water, sports drinks, juice or broth, or chew on ice chips. It is important to know that water alone may not be enough to keep you hydrated in severe cases of diarrhea so make sure to take in electrolyte balance hydration (sports drinks, Gatorade®, Pedialyte®, etc). Eat a normal diet when you feel hungry again.

Prevention

How can stomach flu (gastroenteritis) be prevented?

Since stomach flu can be caused by multiple factors, getting the flu vaccination alone isn’t enough to protect you from gastroenteritis. Children should follow the standard vaccination schedule and get the rotavirus vaccination when indicated. This vaccination can protect your child from getting sick from the rotovirus but not all children can receive this oral vaccination, so please check with your pediatrician before doing so.

You can take other steps to reduce your risk of getting stomach flu:

Practice good handwashing

When you’re sick, the virus spreads from anything that comes in contact with virus-infected feces. Good handwashing is vital in stopping the spread. Viruses left on hands can easily spread to surfaces, food and people you touch. It’s important to wash your hands well after you go to the bathroom, change a diaper, touch any bathroom surfaces and before you handle food.

Be careful with food

You can catch stomach flu from contaminated food or water, or pass it on to someone else. To keep viruses out of your food:

  • Clean kitchen surfaces with a disinfectant (cleaner that kills germs), especially when working with raw meat or eggs.
  • Keep raw meat, eggs and poultry away from foods that are eaten raw.
  • Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat, eggs and shellfish.
  • Consume only pasteurized dairy products and apple juice. Pasteurization is a heating process that kills germs.
  • Rinse fruits and vegetables before eating.
  • Drink bottled water and avoid ice cubes when traveling, especially in developing countries. Unfamiliar germs that live in the water can make you sick.
  • · Stop making food for others when you’re sick and for two days after symptoms are gone.

Clean sick areas

Clean anything that you may have touched while you were sick with stomach flu. Wash laundry with hot water and dry with high heat. Be sure to use a disinfectant to clean areas where a sick person vomited or had diarrhea.

Outlook / Prognosis

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 you’ve 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.

Living With

What can I do at home to feel better?

Get plenty of rest and keep drinking lots of liquids until your symptoms pass. Drinks that have both sugar and salt (like sports drinks) help your intestine absorb fluids better and replace the lost electrolytes. Nibbling salty crackers along with ginger ale or a similar sweet drink could also help. Avoid dairy products like cow’s milk for one or two days — milk can make diarrhea worse due to temporary lactose intolerance that often come with gastroenteritis.

To control severe diarrhea, your healthcare provider may recommend an over-the-counter medication such bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol® or Kaopectate®). You shouldn’t use these medicines if you have a high fever or bloody diarrhea, which can be signs of deeper infection from bacteria or a parasite. Antidiarrheal medications aren’t safe for children to use. Instead, see your healthcare provider for treatment.

Nearly everyone gets a bout of stomach flu at some point. It’s not pleasant, but it usually passes in less than a week. Give yourself time to rest and recover before you go back to your daily activities. Fortunately you can take steps to avoid the likelihood of passing it on to others or picking it up again in the future.

Stomach Ache with Cold | Everyday Health

Russell Cohen, MD, associate professor of medicine and co-director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at the University of Chicago Medical Center, said ingredients in some over-the-counter cold medications can cause an upset stomach. Here are some particularly troublesome side effects:

Guaifenesin. It helps relieve chest congestion and is an ingredient in dozens of cold medications, including Mucinex. It works by thinning mucus so it is easier to cough up. Medication side effects can include nausea, Dr. Cohen said.

Dextromethorphan. It helps relieve coughs from colds and flu. It’s an ingredient in many cold medications, including Robitussin Maximum Strength and Vicks Formula 44. Cohen said medication side effects can include constipation, nausea, and abdominal pain. Also remember that some cough suppressants with the sweeteners fructose and sorbitol can cause diarrhea.

Pseudoephedrine. It helps relieve nasal congestion and can be found in medications such as Sudafed. It can cause an upset stomach and diarrhea and can keep people awake, among other side effects, said Cohen.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). “NSAIDs like Advil and Motrin can cause a variety of problems,” said Puetz. In most cases, they cause constipation, but they also have been linked to microscopic colitis, which can cause diarrhea, he added. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is pretty well-tolerated in people who don’t have underlying liver disease.

To avoid unnecessary side effects of a cold medication, Cohen suggests steering clear of a multisymptom medication if you don’t have all the symptoms it addresses. For example, if the medicine has a cough suppressant in it but you don’t have a cough, don’t use it. “Choose a product that only has in it what you need,” he said.

Nondrug cold remedies could help your symptoms. Using a humidifier at night may help calm a cough. A neti pot can help irrigate and clear nasal congestion.

What to Eat and Drink When Fighting a Cold

Drinking plenty of fluids is important in recovering from a cold, said Puetz. But the type of fluid can make a big difference, as certain beverages can trigger IBS. Soda, apple juice, and grape juice contain sugars that can increase gas and cause diarrhea, he said. Water is a safe bet.

Be careful about what you eat too. “Often people will resort to comfort foods such as bread or pasta, but these starch-containing foods produce gas and can make bloating worse,” said Puetz, who recommends rice as a good substitute. He added that in general, if you have digestive issues, steer clear of IBS triggers. While only you know your unique triggers, common ones include fatty foods, high-fructose foods such as onions, pears, and sweetened drinks, foods with sorbitol (apples, grapes, diet gum), and dairy products.

“The old remedy of chicken soup and rest would be an ideal choice,” said Puetz. Pickle agreed that rest is perhaps the best medicine: “Know your limits based on your IBS under normal conditions and slow down — allow your body more time to rest and fight the cold.”

Covid 19 Symptoms And When To Seek Help

Is your persistent cough a sign of seasonal allergies, influenza, or COVID-19?

Mild cases of COVID-19 share plenty of symptoms in common with seasonal respiratory illnesses. For that reason, knowing whether you have contracted the disease and when you might need to get treatment can be confusing. 

So, what does it actually feel like to have COVID-19? We asked M Health Fairview Infectious Disease Physician Susan Kline, MD, MPH, to shed some light on the subject.

“The most common symptoms people experience are cough, fever, and shortness of breath,” Kline said. “But not all these symptoms happen in every person. The disease is quite variable, and everyone is different. Many people who are infected have more mild symptoms like a stuffy nose, occasional mild cough, and no fever. Some people have no symptoms at all, but they can still spread the disease.” 

Fever seems to be one of the more common early markers of COVID-19, Kline noted. But you shouldn’t necessarily expect a high-grade fever with dangerously elevated temperatures. Many people with the disease run a low-grade fever for days, she said, and some may have no fever at all. 

Other symptoms can include sore throat, nasal congestion, fatigue, myalgia or muscle aches, and headache – many of which are similar to cold and flu symptoms. People with COVID-19 might also experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Related symptoms include new loss of taste or smell.

These symptoms can appear between two and 14 days after exposure. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) current list of identified symptoms includes: 

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

COVID-19 testing may help you identify whether you have the disease, or simply have allergies or another respiratory illness. Learn how you can get tested for COVID-19.

Not everyone will experience the same level of symptom severity, Kline noted. Some who have tested positive for COVID-19 might only experience a mild or asymptomatic case. Others have reported having weakness and shortness of breath that was so severe they could barely sit up in bed.

Though most people who contract COVID-19 will be able to recover at home, there are a number of risk factors that increase the chances of someone experiencing a more severe case, Kline said.

Unvaccinated, older adults are more likely to be hospitalized and die from the virus, according to CDC data. However, the CDC found that vaccines could reduce risk of hospitalization by as much as 94 percent in adults 65 and older.

“The best thing that you can do to protect yourself and others is get vaccinated”, said Kline. Vaccines are now widely available for those age 12 and older. Learn how you can get vaccinated against COVID-19.

“Those with underlying heart or lung disease are also at higher risk for developing more serious complications, in addition to people age 60 and older,” said Kline. Other chronic medical conditions like cancer, type 2 diabetes, and kidney disease may also put people at higher risk, according to the CDC.

“Young people can still get a severe, life-threatening case of COVID-19,” Kline added. “This is especially true if they have an underlying condition or are unvaccinated.”

When should you consider seeking advanced care for yourself or a loved one? 

“If you are having a hard time breathing, that is a sign that you or a family member should contact a medical provider right away,” Kline said. Other emergency warning signs can include persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to wake or stay awake, and bluish lips or face.

If you suspect you have COVID-19 and are seeking treatment, Kline recommends that you call the hospital or clinic before arriving so that healthcare workers know you are coming and can prepare.

“If people have any questions, they should always contact their medical provider for advice,” Kline said. Those experiencing a medical emergency should always call 911.

Addison’s disease – Symptoms – NHS

Addison’s disease can be difficult to detect at first because early symptoms are similar to those of many other health conditions.

Initial symptoms of Addison’s disease can include:

  • overwhelming exhaustion and lack of energy
  • loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss
  • dizziness on standing
  • low blood pressure
  • patches of skin that are darker than the surrounding skin (hyperpigmentation)
  • craving salty foods
  • feeling and being sick
  • muscle weakness with cramps
  • abdominal pain
  • abnormal drowsiness or tiredness (lethargy)
  • low mood (mild depression) or irritability
  • a frequent need to pee
  • increased thirst
  • difficulty concentrating
  • headaches
  • a slight temperature

Some women with Addison’s disease may have irregular periods or miss periods completely. Women may also lose their pubic hair and the hair under their armpits.

Children with Addison’s disease may go through puberty later than usual.

Some people with Addison’s disease also develop low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). This can cause symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, confusion, anxiety and even unconsciousness (particularly in children).

If you’re experiencing symptoms of Addison’s disease, see your GP so they can diagnose or rule out the condition. These symptoms will usually improve with appropriate treatment.

Read more about diagnosing Addison’s disease and treating Addison’s disease.

Adrenal crisis

If the levels of hormones produced by the adrenal gland become too low it can lead to a life-threatening situation known as an adrenal or Addisonian crisis. This can be triggered by severe physical stress like having an operation or having another illness like an infection.

During an adrenal crisis, the symptoms of Addison’s disease appear quickly and are severe. This could happen when you’re already experiencing initial symptoms or without any symptoms at all.

Signs of an adrenal crisis include:

  • severe dehydration
  • pale, cold, clammy skin
  • sweating
  • rapid, shallow breathing
  • dizziness
  • low blood pressure
  • severe vomiting and diarrhoea
  • abdominal pain or pain in the side
  • fatigue and severe muscle weakness
  • headache
  • severe drowsiness or loss of consciousness

An adrenal crisis is a medical emergency. If left untreated, it can be fatal. If you think you or someone you know with Addison’s disease is having an adrenal crisis, dial 999 for an ambulance.

If an adrenal crisis is not treated, it can lead to a coma and death. There’s also a risk your brain will not get enough oxygen if treatment is delayed, which can cause permanent disability.

Page last reviewed: 14 June 2018
Next review due: 14 June 2021

Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) | Health and wellbeing

Print

Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

FeverCoughSore throatShortness of breathRunny noseFatigueDiarrhoeaVomiting or nauseaLoss of smell and/or taste

Other symptoms people may experience include muscle or joint pain, and loss of appetite.

Everyone who gets COVID-19 will experience it a little differently.

People who have extreme symptoms or side effects from the virus may take weeks or months to recover fully, while people with a mild illness may feel completely better within a week or two.

Find out more about the symptoms of COVID-19 and how they compare with common cold and flu below. Symptoms can vary depending on each case.

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, call your doctor or 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) and get tested.

Call emergency services on 000 if you are very sick.

Read more about testing for COVID-19.

Symptoms of COVID-19 compared with flu, common cold and allergies

Symptoms

COVID-19

Symptoms range from mild to severe

Cold

Gradual onset of symptoms

Flu

Abrupt onset of symptoms

Allergies*

May be abrupt or gradual onset of symptoms

Fever

Common

Rare

Common

No

Cough

Common

Common

Common

Common (asthma)

Sore throat

Sometimes

Common

Common

Sometimes (itchy throat and palate)

Shortness of breath

Sometimes

No

No

Common (asthma)

Fatigue

Sometimes

Sometimes

Common

Sometimes

Loss of smell and/or taste

Common

Common

Common

Common (hay fever)

Aches and pains

Sometimes

Sometimes

Common

No

Headaches

Sometimes

Sometimes

Common

Sometimes

Runny or stuffy nose

Sometimes

Common

Sometimes

Common

Diarrhoea

Rare

No

Sometimes
(Especially for children)

No

Sneezing

No

Common

Sometimes


Common

Vomiting or nausea

Sometimes

Rare

Common in children
Rare in adults

No

Adapted from material produced by Australian Government Department of Health, WHO, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

*Respiratory allergies include allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and allergic asthma. Other common symptoms of hay fever include itchy nose and itchy, watery eyes.

It is very difficult to distinguish between the symptoms of COVID-19, influenza and a cold.

If you have any infectious or respiratory symptoms (such as a sore throat, headache, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, cough or runny nose) don’t go to work.

You need to self-isolate and to be assessed by a medical professional. You may need testing for COVID-19. You must not return to work until cleared by a medical professional.

You need to ensure that the people you care for are protected and safe. People who have respiratory allergy symptoms such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and allergic asthma should stay home and get tested for COVID-19 at the onset of their symptoms and if they experience symptoms that are unexpected, seem different or worse than usual, or do not respond to their usual medication.

11 Signs of Coronavirus – Official Symptoms of COVID-19

When COVID-19 first started spreading in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put out a short list of symptoms to watch out for: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. As research on the novel coronavirus and testing expanded, the official list grew to a total of nine symptoms in April.

Now, the agency has once again added three more signs of coronavirus to its list: congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. The CDC didn’t make an official announcement about the additional symptoms—they just appeared on the agency’s official list. (Plus, they may not exactly feel new, as the World Health Organization identified these symptoms back in February.)

So, why does the CDC’s list of symptoms keep growing? It’s important to remember that COVID-19 is caused by a newly discovered coronavirus, says infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. “We’re now learning about the full spectrum of illness,” he explains. “Early on, most of our information was coming from severe cases in hospitals. Now that we’re able to test more widely, we’re able to see all of the different symptoms that may not have been noticed before.

What are the official symptoms of COVID-19?

As of press time, the symptoms below are listed as possible signs of COVID-19 by the CDC, which may pop up two to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Note: The agency says this list doesn’t include every possible coronavirus symptom—for instance, some patients have reported a mysterious skin rash, but that has not yet been added. The following list will continuously be updated as more information becomes available.

1. Fever or chills

This is one of the most common signs of COVID-19, doctors say. A fever is defined as having a temperature of 100.4° F or higher.

2. Cough

Patients usually experience a dry cough, which means nothing comes up with the cough, like phlegm or mucus.

3. Shortness of breath

This is more common in severe cases of COVID-19, Dr. Adalja says. Shortness of breath can range in severity from feeling winded during otherwise normal activities (like walking up a flight of stairs) to having trouble breathing on your own.

4. Fatigue

You may feel exhausted, given that your body is working hard to fight the virus. “It doesn’t leave much energy left over for you,” says Susan Besser, M.D., a primary care physician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore.

5. Muscle or body aches

This is another typical symptom of other viral infections, like the flu, and can be a direct result of a fever, says David Cutler, M.D., a family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Having a fever “can cause the body to feel achy all over,” he says, due to your system’s inflammatory response.

6. Headache

A fever can also result in a lingering headache, Dr. Cutler says. Other side effects of being sick, like not sleeping well, eating as you normally would, or drinking enough water can also lead to a pounding head.

7. New loss of taste or smell

This is actually not unheard of after someone gets sick from a virus, says Rachel Kaye, M.D., assistant professor of laryngology-voice, airway, and swallowing disorders at Rutgers University. Viruses can inflame your nasal cavity lining, causing it to swell—and that can change your ability to smell and taste things, she explains.

8. Sore throat

COVID-19 is a respiratory virus, so it can cause excess mucus to drip down the back of your nose and throat. That, along with constantly coughing, can irritate your throat, Dr. Besser says.

9. Congestion or runny nose (most recently added)

If you’ve ever had a nasty cold of flu, you know these symptoms tend to be common with viral respiratory infections. Congestion or a runny nose can be a direct result of that nasal cavity swelling that messes with your sense of smell, Dr. Kaye says.

10. Nausea or vomiting (most recently added)

It’s not entirely clear why this can happen, but there are a few theories. Nausea and vomiting may be due to increased drainage from the postnasal drip into the stomach, Dr. Besser says. But, she adds, it could simply be the way the virus behaves in some people.

Research published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology also theorized that the virus may cause these symptoms because it can enter your system through “a receptor found in both the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract where it is expressed at nearly 100-fold higher levels than in respiratory organs.”

11. Diarrhea (most recently added)

The theories behind diarrhea as a symptom are the same as they are for nausea or vomiting—the virus may simply take root in the digestive tract in a “unique sub-group” of people, the same American Journal of Gastroenterology study found. After analyzing the symptoms of more than 200 people who had a mild case of COVID-19, they found that nearly 20% of them had diarrhea as their first symptom.

How can you tell if your symptoms are caused by COVID-19, a cold, or allergies?

At this point, it feels like pretty much any upper respiratory symptom could be a sign of COVID-19. So, it’s only natural to wonder if you’re dealing with allergies, a cold, or COVID-19 if you develop pretty average symptoms like a runny nose, cough, or headache.

Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to tell the difference. “In some cases, it’s going to be impossible to distinguish the symptoms of allergies or a cold from COVID-19,” Dr. Adalja says. However, he recommends keeping your personal history in mind. If you’ve never dealt with allergies in the past, but suddenly have symptoms, you may want to be more concerned than if you’ve always experienced seasonal allergies and have symptoms.

Another big tip-off, per Dr. Adalja: Allergies don’t cause a fever (but they can cause a headache and cough). Allergies also tend to cause symptoms that come on more gradually—say, over days or weeks—while signs of COVID-19 can come on much faster, says Purvi Parikh, M.D., an allergist with Allergy & Asthma Network.

Dr. Parikh urges people not to jump to conclusions—especially if you’ve been practicing known COVID-prevention strategies like maintaining a six-foot distance from others, washing your hands often, and wearing a mask in public—unless you’ve been around someone who recently tested positive for the virus, and have a fever with unexplained fatigue. If you’re not sure, call your doctor, who will be able to guide you on the next best steps.


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Korin Miller
Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more.

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90,000 Diarrhea, diarrhea, loose stools – causes, diseases, treatment

Diarrhea (diarrhea) of a non-infectious nature is an increased (more than 2 times a day) excretion of liquid feces for a long time, which is associated with the accelerated passage of intestinal contents due to increased peristalsis, impaired absorption of water in the large intestine and intestinal secretion. wall of a significant amount of mucus, as well as excess bile entering the intestines.

Causes and symptoms

Chronic diarrhea is often accompanied by abdominal pain, flatulence, periods of constipation, and bloody mucus or bile in the stool.Chronic diarrhea is most often caused by two reasons – the weakening of the “fiery warmth” of the stomach (disease “cold”) or the ingress of excess bile into the hollow organs (disease “heat”). The cause of intestinal “cold” is a disorder of the constitution of Mucus (lymphatic and endocrine systems, mucous organs and surfaces). It usually occurs due to the consumption of chilled, heavy, sweet and high-calorie foods, as well as incompatible foods, overeating and excessive consumption of liquids (especially cold ones).

The provoking factors are also inactivity, dampness and cold, abuse of cleansing enemas. The digestive capacity of the stomach (“fiery heat”) decreases, the digestion process slows down and worsens, food stagnates, first in the stomach, and then in the small and large intestines, and the accumulation of mucus in all parts of the gastrointestinal tract. There is a feeling of coldness in the abdomen and limbs, nausea, weakness, loose stools with mucus.

The abdomen is constantly swollen, “rumbling”, a person loses appetite, loses weight, experiences a breakdown, All diseases of the “heat” occur due to the indignation of the “hot”, Yang constitution. Bile, which anatomically includes the liver and gallbladder.Abuse of spicy, fried, salty, fatty and very hot foods, strong alcoholic beverages, incompatible foods, as well as overheating in the heat or in the sun, excessive physical exertion causes increased liver function and excessive production of bile.

Through the bile ducts, it is discharged in large quantities into the intestines, and this can occur even in the absence of food in it. Bile irritates and ulcerates the intestinal wall, causing it to spasm and disturbance of the stool in the form of diarrhea with bile.With the “heat” of the small, and then the large intestine, nausea, dryness and bitterness in the mouth occur, bad breath, sour belching, pain in the cervico-occipital region (at the place where the energy meridian of the large intestine passes), a feeling of heat in the body.

The skin becomes dry, the nails exfoliate. The abdomen “twists”, frequent diarrhea with greens, mucus and elements of undigested food, itching and burning in the anus, ulceration and cracks appear in the anus are characteristic. Particularly acute states of a non-infectious nature arise from the use of alcohol and fatty, spicy foods, meat dishes with raw fruits and cold mineral water.

Diarrhea treatment

Treatment of the “heat” and “cold” of the intestines in the Naran clinic begins, first of all, with the correction of the nature of the diet and lifestyle. In case of diseases of the “cold”, a warming, yang food is prescribed with the addition of sour, salty and spicy tastes that stimulate digestion. In case of diseases “heat”, on the contrary, it is recommended to exclude or moderate these tastes from the diet.

In addition, depending on the cause, external methods of influence are prescribed: energetic acupressure, acupuncture, warming up with wormwood cigars, stone therapy and phytopreparations that increase the “fiery warmth” of the stomach, removing mucus accumulated in the gastrointestinal tract.

In case of “heat” of the small and large intestines, agents are prescribed that cleanse the liver and bile ducts and have anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects.

90,000 Symptoms of intestinal microflora imbalance | Enterogermina

Bloating

Gases in the intestines are constantly formed. A person produces from 400 to 1200 ml of gases per day. Their volume depends on the amount of air entering the gastrointestinal tract and on the amount of gas produced by the microbial flora.Some microorganisms have a special enzyme responsible for the production of hydrogen and methane in the colon from fermented food.

The volume of gases simultaneously present in the gastrointestinal tract usually does not exceed 100 ml, but in some cases, gas production can increase and cause noticeable discomfort. The person begins to suffer from bloating. One example is irritable bowel syndrome, which is usually accompanied by symptoms: bloated stomach, abdominal pain, heaviness in the abdomen with rumbling, flatulence.At the same time, the feeling of discomfort from bloating is noticeably reduced or absent during the night’s rest.

Intestinal upset

Nearly 1 in 10 people have bowel problems (or intestinal problems), including diarrhea and constipation. An upset bowel is manifested by poor digestion, bloating, flatulence, constipation alternating with diarrhea, mood swings, sleep disturbances, candidiasis, exhaustion, and belching.

An intestinal disorder most often occurs as a result of an imbalance in the microflora, which, in turn, is caused by the excessive use of drugs (in particular, antibiotics), various diseases, recent surgery, a sedentary lifestyle, stress, unhealthy diet.Hasty, irregular, or excessively large meals, talking while eating, chewing gum, drinking too much soda, or eating a diet low in fruits and vegetables and rich in sugars and fats can contribute to imbalance in your gut microflora.

Diarrhea (diarrhea)

Diarrhea (diarrhea) is an intestinal disorder that is manifested by an increase in fluid content, volume or frequency of bowel movements (bowel movements). When diarrhea begins, bowel movements occur several times a day, sometimes at night.

Causes of diarrhea (diarrhea)

There are many causes of diarrhea: infection that occurs when eating food that contains pathogenic microorganisms; acceleration of natural bowel contractions caused by sudden exposure to cold. Diarrhea in adults can also be caused by the use of toxic chemicals or spoiled food, or food to which a person is allergic. Excessive alcohol consumption is another cause of diarrhea.Diarrhea can also be accompanied by other symptoms such as intestinal cramps, a burning sensation in the anus when feces pass, and general malaise. In the most severe cases, fever (a sign of infection) and dehydration due to fluid loss may occur.

Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain can be of varying intensity and is usually localized in the subcostal region (under the diaphragm and in the supragastric region), and also spread to the pelvic region and other areas of the intestine.There are two types of abdominal pain. The first type is cramping abdominal pain (colic), during which there is a spontaneous alternation of spasm and relaxation. Another type is persistent abdominal pain that does not change in intensity with bowel movements or gas. There are many different causes of abdominal pain. The problem becomes more complex if abdominal pain is accompanied by fever, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, which are caused by a bacterial or viral infection of the stomach or intestines.

Heaviness in the abdomen

Feelings such as heaviness in the abdomen and pain in the abdomen can occur with intestinal upset, diarrhea and / or constipation with different consistency and / or frequency of stools. “Why is the heaviness in the stomach?”, “Why does the stomach hurt?” – these questions always arise with an imbalance of the intestinal microflora. Abdominal heaviness and abdominal pain are the most common types of discomfort, and from time to time these manifestations can be quite severe and cause a visit to the doctor.

Symptoms can persist for a long time, progressing with the occurrence of relapses: periods of normal well-being alternate with periods of re-emergence of the disorder; Abdominal pain and
abdominal heaviness are often caused by stress, poor diet, changes in the weather, and taking medications that can interfere with intestinal transport or cause dysbiosis.

Constantly freezing? Causes of the state of constant cold

If a person is freezing all the time for no apparent reason and a rise in temperature, the cause may be health problems.

Here are five reasons why you may feel cold all year round, and it’s not just bad weather.

Hypotension. Low blood pressure can be hereditary. In addition to constantly cold hands and feet, dizziness and headache may disturb.

Drinking plenty of fluids, exercising regularly, or a cup of coffee will help stimulate circulation and increase blood pressure.

Anemia. Iron deficiency may result from malnutrition or heavy menstrual bleeding. Symptoms are weakness, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, pallor, headache.

Get a blood test. Replenish the deficiency of the missing elements with the help of nutritional supplements. Vegans and pregnant women experience acute and persistent folate deficiency.

Lack of sleep. If you sleep a little or irregularly – this negatively affects the biorhythm, which is responsible for regulating body temperature.Constantly freezes – due to its violation.

Try to get a regular night’s sleep, sleep at least 7 to 8 hours a day. If you have insomnia, see your doctor.

Weight loss. Calorie restriction during a diet can lead to a slowdown in metabolism, due to which the regulation of body temperature is worse, and therefore freezes.

If you are on a temporary diet, your cold resistance will improve. If you suspect an eating disorder, see a psychologist urgently.

Raynaud’s Syndrome. Even a little cold causes painful spasms. This is common in young women with low blood pressure and older people with rheumatism.

In young people, symptoms usually improve with age. Warm gloves, smoking cessation and stress reduction have a preventive and softening effect. If the condition in which it constantly freezes has become chronic, it is worth trying medications to increase blood supply.

Earlier, “Kubanskie Novosti” told why fingers constantly go numb.

Weakness in the legs – disease symptoms, treatment

This symptom can be associated with a number of different diseases, including serious ones. What can weakness in the legs indicate, what symptoms can accompany it and what to do in such situations?

Causes of the condition and accompanying symptoms

Weakness in the legs, like any other muscle weakness, is not an independent disease, but only one of the signs of a huge number of pathological conditions.In most cases, this is an alarming symptom that cannot be ignored. It can be caused by the development of various serious diseases, and often the patient needs urgent medical attention. Let’s list the common causes of weakness in the legs.

Muscular dystrophies – a group of genetic diseases that includes more than 30 pathologies in which muscle fibers are damaged and weakened. It is associated with a deficiency in the protein dystrophin, which is essential for normal muscle function.The disease can manifest itself at any age, although most often its symptoms become evident in childhood. Boys get sick more often than girls. The symptoms of muscular dystrophy depend on its type. However, the appearance of weakness, including in the legs, difficulties in walking, and decreased reflexes, becomes common to all pathologies. Over time, other symptoms join, such as impaired breathing, swallowing, and so on 1 .

Myasthenia gravis – an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks acetylcholine receptors, which leads to impaired neuromuscular transmission.The main signs of myasthenia gravis are weakness and fatigue of the striated muscles, including the muscles of the limbs. Manifestations of myasthenia gravis also include difficulty climbing stairs, facial paralysis, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing and chewing, hoarseness, drooping eyelids and other symptoms 90 120 2 .

Peripheral neuropathy – a condition in which nerve fibers are damaged against the background of various diseases and conditions, for example, trauma, systemic disease (diabetes mellitus, hepatitis), infection, congenital pathology.Today, more than 100 types of peripheral neuropathies are known, each of which has features of its course and treatment. Weakness in the legs appears when motor neurons are damaged – nerve cells that provide motor coordination and maintain muscle tone 90 120 3 .

Pompe disease is a rare hereditary disease that can occur at any age: from 0 to 75 years old and even older. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner and manifests itself in a complex of symptoms.The characteristic signs of Pompe disease are general muscle weakness, weakness in the legs, decreased muscle tone, impaired breathing, shortness of breath even with light exertion, hyperlorodosis, change in gait, instability when walking. sometimes – disruption of the heart (cardiomyopathy), In addition, patients may complain of drowsiness, increased fatigue, hearing loss. Late-onset Pompe disease can manifest in adulthood, and the onset of symptoms is usually gradual. Since the pathology is rare, it is often difficult to establish a diagnosis.Sometimes it takes years. To speed up the diagnosis and choose the right treatment, it is important to be attentive to your condition and analyze the entire complex of symptoms 4 .

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid glands are affected. Often, Graves’ disease leads to the development of hyperthyroidism. The symptoms of the disease are specific. Along with weakness in the legs and general muscle weakness, patients are worried about irritability, sleep disturbance, frequent heartbeat, heat intolerance, diarrhea, and unexplained weight loss.External signs of Graves’ disease are bulging and the appearance of a bulge in the neck (due to an enlarged thyroid gland) 90 120 5 90 121.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the immune system affects part of the peripheral nervous system. Usually the syndrome develops after a bacterial or viral infection, sometimes vaccination or surgery is the trigger. It can develop at any age, but symptoms appear more often in adults.The first symptoms of the disease are weakness and tingling in the legs, which then spread to the face and hands. This sometimes leads to paralysis. In some patients, the respiratory muscles are affected, due to which breathing is impaired, there are difficulties with speech, swallowing 90 120 6 90 121.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic progressive disease in which various parts of the central nervous system are affected. The reason remains unknown. It is assumed that the disease develops under the influence of genetic and external factors.In multiple sclerosis, the immune system attacks the protective sheath of nerve fibers called myelin. The disease manifests itself in a complex of symptoms. Among the most common are muscle fatigue, spasms, tremors in the muscles, difficulty walking, pain 90 120 7 90 121.

Sciatica develops due to pinching (compression) of the roots of the lumbar spine. This occurs against the background of disc lesions or narrowing of the spinal canal. The main symptom is sharp pain that spreads from the lower back to the limbs, usually on one side of the body.In addition, weakness or numbness in the legs may develop 90 120 8 90 121.

Weakness in the legs can also appear in other diseases and conditions.

How to diagnose the disease?

The appearance of weakness in the legs is a reason to consult a general practitioner. He will conduct a clinical examination, study the anamnesis and, if necessary, refer you for consultation to narrow specialists, for example, a geneticist, a neurologist.

Since weakness in the legs can be caused by a number of diseases, in order to understand what exactly caused the clinical picture, a comprehensive examination is necessary.It may include:

  • Neurological examination;
  • Laboratory diagnostics – general and biochemical analyzes of blood, urine, etc .;
  • Genetic examination – if you suspect the development of hereditary muscular dystrophies;
  • Instrumental diagnostics – ultrasound examination, radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, electroencephalography, electromyography, etc.

What treatment is prescribed for weak legs?

Therapy is prescribed after a thorough examination and diagnosis.So, in chronic diseases (myodystrophy, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis), the goal of treatment is to improve the patient’s quality of life, alleviate the condition and slow down the progression. In Guillain-Barré syndrome, the nervous system recovers on its own, and the efforts of doctors are aimed at maintaining body functions.

In peripheral neuropathies, the task is to optimally control the underlying disease, if necessary – pain relief with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Severe pain and weakness in the legs caused by a pinched nerve goes away on its own after rest. Sometimes drugs are prescribed to alleviate the condition – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anticonvulsants, and others.

Forecast and prevention

The prognosis depends on what disease caused the weakness in the legs. Preventive measures are based on compensation for diseases, against the background of which damage to peripheral nerves develops, primarily diabetes mellitus, and injury prevention.

References

  1. Doronin VB, Doronina OB Hereditary muscular dystrophies // Bulletin of Siberian Medicine – 2009. – T. 2. – No. 2. –S.72-76.
  2. Shkolnik V.M., Kalbus A.I., Shulga O.D. Myasthenia: what do we know today? // Health of Ukraine (neurology, psychiatry, psychotherapy) – 2010. – No. 3. –S. 14.
  3. Peripheral neuropathy. Mayo clinic. URL: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352061.Date of treatment 04/12/2019.
  4. Nikitin S. S. et al. Late-onset Pompe disease: the first clinical description in Russia // Neuromuscular diseases – 2014. – No. 1. –S.62-68.
  5. Menconi F., Marcocci C., Marinò M. Diagnosis and classification of Graves’ disease // Autoimmunity reviews –2014. – T. 13. – No. 4-5. – S. 398-402.
  6. Guillain-Barré Syndrome. World Health Organization. URL: https://www.who.int/ru/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/guillain-barr%C3%A9-syndrome.Date of treatment 04/12/2019.
  7. Gusev E. I., Demina T. L. Multiple sclerosis // Consilium medicum –2000. – T. 2. – No. 2. – S. 76-84.
  8. Sciatica. MSD Reference. URL: https://www.msdmanuals.com/ru. Date of treatment 04/15/2019.

GZEA.PD.18.09.0435c

Chills without fever cause – How to get rid of chills, pain and weakness

Surely every person has happened to meet such people during his life who are constantly freezing.Even in the summer, when everyone around them strives to “bare” to the maximum, so that it is not so hot, these men and women can wrap themselves in woolen sweaters and wear tight trousers. Constant chills without fever is a feature that is most often inherent in girls and women of asthenic physique. Nevertheless, strong representatives of the stronger sex, at first glance, are simply full of health, sometimes suffer from chills.

Why is this happening? First of all, it should be noted that chills and weakness in themselves are not a disease – they are nothing more than symptoms.They may indicate that the patient has an endocrine or infectious disease, as well as a benign or malignant neoplasm in the body. In addition, chills often bother those people in whose body an inflammatory process develops, which is accompanied by suppuration.

Most common causes of chills

The first thought that appears in a person who has a headache, chills and weakness is that he is sick with ARVI or the flu.The patient’s body has to generate a large amount of heat, therefore, in such patients, in most cases, the temperature rises. These symptoms can be accompanied by a runny nose, headache, bone aches, and other signs of illness. In no case should you suffer from discomfort on your legs! Seek medical attention and start treatment as soon as possible.

Often, a feeling of coldness in people with a hypersensitive nervous system is accompanied by intense excitement.In addition, it may be due to fear. This is a transient symptom – as soon as a person is able to relax and calm down, he stops freezing. In many cases, chills without fever are a common companion of those people whose working blood pressure is below normal. In addition, in women, chills can be caused by the first days of the menstrual cycle, as well as the beginning of pregnancy.

Often the cause of the chills is all kinds of disturbances in the patient’s peripheral circulation.Especially many of these people live in regions for which damp cold weather is the norm. In such patients, the blood supply to the fingers of the upper and lower extremities is reduced. Visually, this can be determined by the redness and swelling of the skin. Symptoms are accompanied by severe itching.

Firsthand, the unpleasant sensations that accompany the chills are familiar to people who have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. In addition, this symptom may indicate that the patient has other types of endocrine diseases.For example, in patients with insufficient thyroid function, the following symptoms may join chills and pain in the head:

  • hair loss up to baldness;
  • a sharp increase in body weight up to obesity;
  • mood swings from complete euphoria to hysteria and depression;
  • excessively dry skin on the face and body;
  • weakness, drowsiness, decreased performance, etc.

The feeling of coldness is associated with insufficient production of hormones by the gland, the consequence of which is a violation of thermoregulation.In addition, similar symptoms are often observed in women aged 50 and older. This is due to menopause.

Finally, patients with VSD often suffer from chills and weakness. They can get chilly even in July when everyone is wearing light dresses, shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops. The fact is that in people suffering from vegetative-vascular dystonia, thermoregulation can be seriously impaired. Such patients need to visit saunas and baths more often, and also start every morning with a contrast shower.In the cold season, swimming in an ice hole can help them strengthen blood vessels and improve thermoregulation. Finally, a massage course conducted by a qualified specialist can act as an “ambulance” for such people and temporarily relieve them of their chills.

Please note that the above methods of improving the body are not suitable for persons suffering from cardiovascular diseases.

How to get rid of chills?

If the chills are provoked by the penetration of a viral infection into the body, then all efforts must be devoted to treating the disease.Follow the treatment regimen prescribed by your doctor and follow all his recommendations. Bed rest in combination with taking pharmaceuticals, including antipyretics, gargling and drinking plenty of fluids, will help get rid of all manifestations of the disease in a matter of days.

How to get rid of chills provoked by any endocrine diseases? To do this, you need to consult a doctor, undergo an examination and begin treatment of the identified malfunctions in the body under the strict guidance of a specialist.In our private clinic in Ryazan, the best endocrinologists of the city, as well as doctors of other specialties, receive patients every day. The diagnostic department “ON CLINIC in Ryazan” is equipped with the latest medical technology. The examination with us will not take much time and will allow you to find out everything about how your body works!

If the cause of the chills is stress or intense excitement on the eve of any event, then hot tea will help you relax, calm down and warm up, preferably herbal tea with lemon balm or chamomile.Alternatively, you can take a mild sedative such as valerian. But do not abuse the drug intake – see your doctor and get tested! Based on its results, the doctor will prescribe an effective treatment for you.

Be that as it may, constant chills are not just a feature of the body, but rather a symptom that something is wrong in its work. Make an appointment with us, and our qualified specialists will be able to identify the cause of the chills and eliminate it!

90,000 Intestinal infections – Easier to prevent than cure

Friday,
7
July
2017

When in the summer the eyes simply run up from the abundance of vegetables and fruits, you want to try everything you see.And then for some reason I remember that there is nowhere to wash my hands before sending that strawberry … or that peach into my mouth … And they shamelessly lie and seduce with their ruddy sides, promising an unearthly taste with their whole appearance.

What are intestinal infections?

There are quite a few causative agents of intestinal infections – it can be both bacteria and different types of viruses that enter the body along with poor-quality or unsanitary food, with unwashed vegetables and fruits, through contact of food and dishes with dirty hands, etc.e. As you can see, mostly through the mouth. And, once in the body, these uninvited guests develop vigorous activity there, as a result of which a person feels bad.

Common signs of acute intestinal infections are a feeling of weakness, headache, and fever. These signs are the more pronounced, the more the organism is poisoned. And each gastrointestinal disease has its own special symptomatology.

If the stomach is damaged, then we are talking about gastritis.The most common signs are that the upper abdomen begins to hurt, vomiting and nausea are also present.

If the small intestine is affected, the diagnosis of enteritis is made. The doctor can determine this if there are complaints of abdominal pain, bloating, liquid watery diarrhea (possibly even with mucus or greens) – this indicates a malfunction in the process of digestion and absorption of food.

Pathologies in the work of the large intestine are called colitis. If there are greens, mucus or streaks of blood in the stool, the desire to visit the toilet is accompanied by severe pain and cramping pains periodically appear in the abdomen – this is it.

But in real life, it rarely happens that only one part of the gastrointestinal tract is affected. Basically, several sections come under attack – if the large and small intestines, then the diagnosis will sound like “enterocolitis”, if the stomach and small intestines – then it will already be gastroenteritis, if the entire digestive tract is affected – this is called gastroenterocolitis.

Just do not delude yourself that with a cold snap, intestinal infections will also “hibernate”.The autumn-summer bacterial infections in winter and spring are replaced by their viral relatives. So the principle “forewarned is forearmed” will never be superfluous.

Types of intestinal infections

Dysentery, it is also shigellosis (the second name is due to the fact that it is caused by bacteria of the genus Shigella) can be picked up from a carrier or a sick person. Shigella bacteria are quite tenacious – they are cold-resistant, can live for quite a long time in food (especially dairy products) and water.The incubation period for dysentery is 2-3 days. It is determined with symptoms such as fever, lack of appetite, lethargy, frequent but scanty stools streaked with blood or mucus, and abdominal pain. Vomiting can be only on the first day, no more than a couple of times.

Salmonellosis, caused by bacteria of the genus Salmonella, is transmitted not only from a sick person, but also from domestic animals (chickens, cows, etc.). These bacteria can live for a long time in water and food (meat, eggs, dairy products) and are resistant to low temperatures.Once in a warm environment, bacteria begin to multiply diligently, resulting in the formation of toxic substances. The incubation period is from four hours to two days, the symptoms are fever, abdominal pain, lack of appetite, weakness (doesn’t it look like dysentery?). To differentiate from dysentery, look for frequent loose stools and profuse vomiting.

Rotavirus infection got its name due to the fact that outwardly its pathogen resembles a wheel in shape (in Latin – rota).You can get it only from a sick person (he is considered contagious 7-10 days from the onset of the disease). Since this virus easily tolerates cold weather, the peak of the incidence of rotavirus infection occurs just in the cold season (late autumn-winter-early spring). Symptoms of the disease are fever up to 38 ° C (maybe higher), lack of appetite, pain in the upper abdomen, frequent vomiting, very frequent bowel movements, loose stools. The incubation period for this disease is 1-2 days, but with the transferred rotavirus, a person is provided with immunity for life.

Norovirus infection comes from the enterovirus family. The most unpleasant thing about this sore is the incredible vitality of its pathogen: norovirus, which is called “does not burn in fire and does not drown in water.” It will not only easily survive being in water, heating up to 60 ° C, but also freezing and drying. And when it enters the human body, after a few hours, it manages to do a lot of trouble. With this infection, the rise in temperature is minimal, but with nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.After a couple of days, the condition may stabilize, but the person will be contagious for several more weeks. So wind it up.

Foodborne infection (as doctors call poisoning in a tricky way) is also considered an intestinal infection, it is provoked by such bacteria as Klebsiella, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli or Proteus. The most frequent places of “residence” of this muck are cream cakes and pastries, milk and dairy products, cottage cheese, sausages, which are stored incorrectly (for example, in the heat).

Sometimes it also happens that there are no pronounced symptoms in a person, but the analyzes reveal pathogenic bacteria (the same E. coli, etc.). This is called “bacterial carrier” and carries a latent threat – the spread of infection, without even knowing about its presence. In this case, treatment is necessary until the host is fully recovered.

How to avoid intestinal infection?

It is easier to prevent a nuisance than to get rid of its consequences later.The most important thing is hygiene. The slogan “Wash your hands before eating” hung in Soviet canteens does not lose its relevance today. And to be more specific – not only before eating, but also after using the toilet, after returning from the street. If you want to have a snack in the city and there is no way to wash your hands, carry at least wet wipes or a bottle of antibacterial gel with you.

If you intend to cook or eat raw vegetables and fruits, they must be thoroughly washed under running water.Would you like to treat a child with a berry? Remember – it is especially necessary to wash strawberries very carefully, as they are in contact with the ground. Dairy products, meat, sausages, ready-made salads are the safest to buy in retail outlets equipped with refrigerators. Store them at home only in appropriate conditions, do not leave them on the table for a long time, especially in the heat, and if the expiration date has expired, throw them away. Greed can be thrown up for the money thrown away, but treating an intestinal infection can be more expensive. Will it be more convincing?

If you are going to cook food for the whole family, just in case, keep in mind that it is best to store the prepared dishes even in the refrigerator for no more than two days.And try to drink only bottled or boiled water. Without a refrigerator, such water can withstand from six to eight hours, then the effect of boiling is reduced to almost zero and you have to boil it again.

So take precautions and let infections pass you by!

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