What are the common causes of feeling cold and experiencing diarrhea. How do chills, cold feet, and cold hands relate to digestive problems. When should you seek medical attention for these symptoms.

The Common Cold: A Frequent Culprit

The common cold is one of the most frequent causes of feeling cold and experiencing digestive issues. Adults typically encounter two to three colds annually, while children often face more frequent bouts. This viral infection manifests with a range of symptoms beyond just feeling cold and having diarrhea.

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Mild fatigue
• Occasional body aches

These symptoms usually improve within 7-10 days, though a persistent cough may linger for up to two weeks. Treatment primarily involves rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications to alleviate discomfort.

Gastroenteritis: The Stomach Flu Connection

Gastroenteritis, often referred to as the “stomach flu,” is another common cause of feeling cold and experiencing diarrhea. This inflammation of the stomach and intestines can result from viral or bacterial infections, as well as reactions to food or medications.

In the United States alone, approximately 179 million cases of acute gastroenteritis occur annually, making it one of the most prevalent illnesses. Symptoms of gastroenteritis include:

• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Low-grade fever or chills
• Muscle aches
• Nausea
• Stomach cramps
• Vomiting

These symptoms can persist for up to a week. Treatment typically involves rest, staying hydrated, consuming soft foods, and taking over-the-counter medications as needed.

Salmonella Infection: A Food-borne Threat

Salmonella infection is a common occurrence in the United States, causing approximately 1.2 million illnesses each year. This bacterial infection often results from consuming contaminated food or water.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection usually appear within 12-72 hours of exposure and may include:

• Diarrhea
• Fever or chills
• Headache
• Nausea
• Stomach cramps
• Vomiting

In most cases, treatment is unnecessary, and recovery occurs within a few days. Self-care measures can help alleviate discomfort during this time. However, severe cases may require medication or hospitalization.

Urinary Tract Infections: More Than Just Discomfort

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when bacteria or other microbes infect the urinary system. Women are at a higher risk of developing UTIs, with 40-60% experiencing at least one in their lifetime.

UTIs can cause a range of symptoms, including:

• Increased urinary frequency and urgency
• Burning pain during urination
• Cloudy, strong-smelling, or pink urine
• Fever or chills
• Pelvic or back pain
• Passing small amounts of urine regularly

Most UTIs require antibiotic treatment. However, home remedies such as drinking plenty of water, avoiding caffeine, and using a heating pad on the abdomen can help reduce discomfort until the infection clears.

Kidney Stones: When Minerals Build Up

Kidney stones form when minerals and salts accumulate in the kidneys, creating hard deposits. According to a 2018 review in the journal Advances in Urology, approximately 1 in 11 people in the United States develop kidney stones at some point in their lives.

These deposits may not cause symptoms until they shift position within the kidney or urinary tract. When symptoms do occur, they can include:

• Changes in urinary habits and amount
• Cloudy, strong-smelling, or pink urine
• Fever and chills (in case of infection)
• Nausea
• Pain in the abdomen, groin, sides, and back
• Painful urination
• Vomiting

Small kidney stones may pass through the urinary tract independently, aided by increased fluid intake and pain relievers. Larger stones, however, may require surgical intervention or other medical procedures for removal.

Prostatitis: A Male-Specific Concern

Prostatitis, the inflammation of the prostate gland in males, has a prevalence rate of 8.2% and is the most common urological diagnosis in men aged 50 and under. Bacterial prostatitis, caused by a bacterial infection, can result in various symptoms:

• Difficulty urinating
• Flu-like symptoms, including chills
• Cloudy or bloody urine
• Frequent urination
• Pain in the abdomen, lower back, genitals, or groin
• Painful urination and ejaculation

Treatment for prostatitis often involves antibiotics and other medications. Symptom relief may be achieved through the use of heating pads, dietary modifications, and lifestyle changes.

Mononucleosis: The “Kissing Disease”

Infectious mononucleosis, commonly known as “mono” or the “kissing disease,” is transmitted through saliva. In addition to stomach pain and chills, symptoms of mononucleosis include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Skin rash
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits
• Swollen tonsils

Symptoms typically appear 4-6 weeks after infection and can last for up to two months. Treatment primarily involves rest, hydration, and over-the-counter pain relievers. In some cases, medications may be necessary to address secondary infections.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While many causes of feeling cold and experiencing diarrhea can be managed at home, certain situations warrant medical attention. Seek help if you experience:

• Persistent high fever
• Severe abdominal pain
• Bloody stools
• Signs of dehydration (extreme thirst, dark urine, dizziness)
• Symptoms lasting more than a week

Prevention Strategies

To reduce the risk of infections that cause chills and diarrhea, consider implementing these preventive measures:

1. Practice good hand hygiene
2. Stay up-to-date on vaccinations
3. Avoid close contact with sick individuals
4. Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle
5. Stay hydrated

The Role of Probiotics

Probiotics, beneficial bacteria that support gut health, may help prevent and manage certain conditions that cause chills and diarrhea. Consider incorporating probiotic-rich foods or supplements into your diet, especially when taking antibiotics or experiencing digestive issues.

Understanding the Immune System’s Response

The sensation of feeling cold, particularly when accompanied by diarrhea, often indicates an immune system response to infection. As the body fights off pathogens, it may increase its core temperature, leading to chills and cold extremities as blood flow is redirected to vital organs.

The Importance of Hydration

Maintaining proper hydration is crucial when experiencing diarrhea and chills. Diarrhea can lead to rapid fluid loss, potentially exacerbating symptoms and slowing recovery. Ensure you drink plenty of water, clear broths, and electrolyte-rich beverages to replenish lost fluids and minerals.

Differentiating Between Viral and Bacterial Infections

Understanding whether your symptoms are caused by a viral or bacterial infection can help guide treatment decisions. While both can cause chills and diarrhea, bacterial infections often lead to more severe symptoms and may require antibiotic treatment. Consult with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.

The Impact of Stress on Digestive Health

Stress can significantly affect digestive health and immune function, potentially contributing to symptoms like chills and diarrhea. Implementing stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or regular physical activity may help alleviate symptoms and improve overall well-being.

Dietary Considerations During Illness

When experiencing chills and diarrhea, it’s essential to adjust your diet to support recovery and prevent further digestive distress. Consider following the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) or other easily digestible foods until symptoms improve. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and fatty or spicy foods that may exacerbate symptoms.

The Connection Between Sleep and Immune Function

Adequate sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining a strong immune system and recovering from illness. Prioritize getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night, especially when experiencing symptoms like chills and diarrhea. Create a comfortable sleep environment and establish a consistent sleep schedule to support your body’s healing processes.

Natural Remedies for Symptom Relief

While medical treatment may be necessary for certain conditions, several natural remedies can help alleviate symptoms of chills and diarrhea:

• Ginger tea for nausea and digestive discomfort
• Peppermint oil for reducing stomach cramps
• Chamomile tea for its anti-inflammatory properties
• Warm compresses to ease abdominal pain
• Bone broth for hydration and nutrient support

The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Immune Support

Certain vitamins and minerals play essential roles in supporting immune function and may help reduce the severity and duration of symptoms. Consider incorporating the following nutrients into your diet or supplement regimen:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Zinc
• Selenium
• Vitamin E

Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, especially when experiencing symptoms of illness.

Understanding Chronic Conditions and Recurrent Symptoms

For some individuals, recurrent episodes of feeling cold and experiencing diarrhea may indicate an underlying chronic condition. Conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or chronic infections may require long-term management strategies. If you experience frequent or persistent symptoms, consult with a healthcare provider for a comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment plan.

The Importance of Proper Hygiene and Sanitation

Many infections that cause chills and diarrhea are transmitted through poor hygiene practices or contaminated food and water. Emphasize the importance of proper hand washing, food safety practices, and maintaining a clean living environment to reduce the risk of infection. When traveling, be cautious about consuming untreated water or foods that may have been prepared in unsanitary conditions.

Recognizing Potential Complications

While most cases of chills and diarrhea resolve without significant issues, it’s important to be aware of potential complications that may arise. These can include severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, or the spread of infection to other parts of the body. Monitor your symptoms closely and seek immediate medical attention if you experience signs of these complications, such as extreme weakness, confusion, or persistent high fever.

The Role of Antidiarrheal Medications

Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications can provide relief in some cases of acute diarrhea. However, it’s important to use these medications judiciously and under the guidance of a healthcare provider. In certain infections, such as those caused by some bacteria, antidiarrheal medications may prolong the illness by preventing the body from eliminating the pathogen. Always read labels carefully and consult with a pharmacist or doctor before using these products.

Adapting Your Lifestyle During Recovery

Recovery from illnesses that cause chills and diarrhea often requires temporary lifestyle adjustments. This may include taking time off work or school, limiting physical activity, and focusing on rest and self-care. Be patient with your body as it heals, and gradually return to your normal routine as symptoms improve. Listen to your body and avoid pushing yourself too hard during the recovery process.

The Importance of Follow-up Care

After experiencing a bout of illness characterized by chills and diarrhea, it’s important to consider follow-up care, especially if symptoms were severe or prolonged. This may involve a check-up with your healthcare provider to ensure full recovery, discuss any lingering symptoms, or address concerns about recurrence. Follow-up care can also provide an opportunity to review preventive strategies and discuss any necessary lifestyle modifications to support long-term health and well-being.

Stomach pain and chills: 12 causes

Here, we list some of the common causes of stomach pain and chills:

1. The common cold

Most adults can expect to have two or three colds every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Children usually have more.

The common cold causes symptoms including:

Symptoms typically improve after 7–10 days, though a cough can persist for 2 weeks or more.

Treatment involves home remedies such as resting, staying hydrated, and taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

2. Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis occurs when the stomach and intestines are inflamed due to a bacterial or viral infection.

Viral gastroenteritis, which some doctors call stomach flu, is the most common form. Other causes include reactions to food or medications.

In the United States, around 179 million cases of acute gastroenteritis each year, according to a study in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. This makes it one of the most common illnesses.

Signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis include:

• diarrhea
• headache
• low-grade fever or chills
• muscle aches
• nausea
• stomach cramps
• vomiting

Symptoms can persist for up to a week. Some treatment options include resting, staying hydrated, eating soft foods, and taking OTC medications.

3.

Salmonella infection

Infection with Salmonella bacteria is a common occurrence in the U.S. It causes 1.2 million illnesses annually, according to the CDC. People typically get the infection as a result of consuming contaminated food or water.

Symptoms usually begin within 12–72 hours of infection and may include:

• diarrhea
• fever or chills
• headache
• nausea
• stomach cramps
• vomiting

Treatment is typically unnecessary, and most people recover within a few days. During this time, self-care measures can reduce discomfort. People with severe symptoms may require medication or even hospitalization.

4. Urinary tract infection

A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when bacteria or other microbes infect the urinary tract. Females have a higher risk of developing UTIs than males do, with 40–60 percent of females experiencing one in their lifetime.

Symptoms may include:

• an increase in urinary frequency
• an increase in urinary urgency
• burning pain when urinating
• cloudy, strong-smelling, or pink urine
• fever or chills
• pain in the pelvis or back, which may radiate to the abdomen
• passing small amounts of urine regularly

Most UTIs will require antibiotic treatment, but some home remedies can reduce discomfort until the infection clears up. Home remedies include drinking plenty of water, avoiding caffeine, and using a heating pad on the abdomen.

5. Kidney stones

Share on PinterestDrinking fluids can help small kidney stones pass through the urinary tract.

When minerals and salts build up in the kidneys, they can form hard deposits called kidney stones.

A 2018 review in the journal Advances in Urology suggests that 1 in 11 people in the U.S. develop kidney stones.

These hard deposits may not cause any symptoms until they change positions in the kidney or urinary tract.

Kidney stones can then result in:

• changes in urinary habits and amount
• cloudy, strong-smelling, or pink urine
• fever and chills, in the case of an infection
• nausea
• pain in the abdomen, groin, sides, and back
• painful urination
• vomiting

Small kidney stones can pass through the urinary tract on their own. It is helpful to drink fluids and take pain relivers until the stone passes.

At other times, it is necessary to undergo surgery or another type of medical procedure to remove the stone.

6. Prostatitis

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, which is just below the bladder in males.

Prostatitis has a prevalence rate of 8.2 percent and is “the most common urological diagnosis” in males aged 50 and under.

Bacterial prostatitis, which results from bacterial infection, causes:

• difficulty urinating
• flu-like symptoms, such as chills
• cloudy or bloody urine
• frequent urination
• pain in the abdomen, lower back, genitals, or groin
• painful urination and ejaculation

Treatment may include taking antibiotics and other medications. Using heating pads, making dietary changes, and making lifestyle changes may provide some symptom relief.

7. Mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis, or the kissing disease or mono, passes between people through saliva. Along with stomach pain and chills, symptoms include:

• fatigue
• fever
• headache
• a sore throat
• skin rash
• swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits
• swollen tonsils

Symptoms usually do not appear until 4–6 weeks after infection and last for up to 2 months.

Treatment includes resting, staying hydrated, and taking OTC pain relievers. Some people may require medications for secondary infections.

8. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes inflammation of the air sacs. In the U.S., it is “a leading cause of hospitalization” in both adults and children.

Pneumonia symptoms, which range in severity, include:

• chest pain
• chills
• coughing up phlegm
• diarrhea
• difficulty breathing
• fatigue
• fever
• nausea
• stomach pain
• vomiting

Pneumonia can be life-threatening for older adults, children, and those who have a compromised immune system. People who have symptoms should always speak with a doctor.

Treatment includes taking medication, resting, and other home remedies. Some people may require hospitalization.

9. Gallbladder inflammation

Gallbladder inflammation, or cholecystitis, is swelling of the gallbladder, which is a pear-shaped organ in the abdomen.

Gallstones are the most common cause of gallbladder inflammation. According to a 2012 study in the journal Gut and Liver, around 10–15 percent of adults will develop gallstones. Other causes include tumors and infections.

Cholecystitis symptoms, which often get worse after eating large or fatty meals, include:

• abdominal pain and tenderness, usually in the upper right or center
• fever or chills
• nausea
• pain in the back or right shoulder

If left untreated, gallbladder inflammation can cause severe complications. Some treatment options include hospitalization, fasting, intravenous fluids, and taking pain relievers. Surgery may be necessary to remove the gallstones or the entire gallbladder.

10. Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria, including chlamydia or gonorrhea, spread to the fallopian tubes, uterus, or ovaries.

Research from 2017, which appeared in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, suggests that 4.4 percent of sexually experienced females of reproductive age have PID.

PID does not always cause symptoms. Sometimes, people only realize that they have the condition when they experience difficulty getting pregnant.

If symptoms do occur, they include:

• bleeding between periods
• bleeding during or after sex
• chills
• difficult or painful urination
• fever
• heavy and foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis

Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics to people with PID. Sexual partners also require treatment.

Without treatment, the infection can cause chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.

11. Appendicitis

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, which is a piece of tissue attached to the large intestine.

Appendicitis affects 1 in 1,000 people in the U.S., usually those aged 10–30 years old.

The condition causes pain on the lower right-hand side of the abdomen. This tends to get worse over time and may occur alongside:

Surgery is usually necessary to remove the appendix.

12. Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula, which are bulging pouches that form in the gut’s lining, develop an infection or inflammation.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, these pouches may form in 35 percent of U.S. adults aged 50 and below, and in 58 percent of all people over the age of 60. However, most cases do not progress to diverticulitis.

Symptoms include:

• constipation or diarrhea
• fever or chills
• nausea
• stomach pain, which may be severe and persistent
• vomiting

Mild cases typically clear up by taking antibiotics, resting, and making dietary changes. Severe cases may require surgical intervention.

Other causes

Stomach pain and chills may have other less common symptoms, including:

• cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that causes organ damage
• epididymitis, or inflammation of the epididymis, which is a coiled tube at the back of the testicles
• heart attack, but only in rare cases
• leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow
• malaria, an infectious disease that mosquitoes carry
• meningitis, or inflammation of membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord
• pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas
• peritonitis, or inflammation of the peritoneum tissue in the abdomen
• scarlet fever, a bacterial illness
• shingles, a viral infection similar to chickenpox
• tuberculosis, a bacterial infection of the lungs
• Weil’s disease, a bacterial infection often transmitted by rodents
• yellow fever, an infection that mosquitoes carry

Stomach pain and chills: 12 causes

Here, we list some of the common causes of stomach pain and chills:

1. The common cold

Most adults can expect to have two or three colds every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Children usually have more.

The common cold causes symptoms including:

Symptoms typically improve after 7–10 days, though a cough can persist for 2 weeks or more.

Treatment involves home remedies such as resting, staying hydrated, and taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

2. Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis occurs when the stomach and intestines are inflamed due to a bacterial or viral infection.

Viral gastroenteritis, which some doctors call stomach flu, is the most common form. Other causes include reactions to food or medications.

In the United States, around 179 million cases of acute gastroenteritis each year, according to a study in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. This makes it one of the most common illnesses.

Signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis include:

• diarrhea
• headache
• low-grade fever or chills
• muscle aches
• nausea
• stomach cramps
• vomiting

Symptoms can persist for up to a week. Some treatment options include resting, staying hydrated, eating soft foods, and taking OTC medications.

3.

Salmonella infection

Infection with Salmonella bacteria is a common occurrence in the U.S. It causes 1.2 million illnesses annually, according to the CDC. People typically get the infection as a result of consuming contaminated food or water.

Symptoms usually begin within 12–72 hours of infection and may include:

• diarrhea
• fever or chills
• headache
• nausea
• stomach cramps
• vomiting

Treatment is typically unnecessary, and most people recover within a few days. During this time, self-care measures can reduce discomfort. People with severe symptoms may require medication or even hospitalization.

4. Urinary tract infection

A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when bacteria or other microbes infect the urinary tract. Females have a higher risk of developing UTIs than males do, with 40–60 percent of females experiencing one in their lifetime.

Symptoms may include:

• an increase in urinary frequency
• an increase in urinary urgency
• burning pain when urinating
• cloudy, strong-smelling, or pink urine
• fever or chills
• pain in the pelvis or back, which may radiate to the abdomen
• passing small amounts of urine regularly

Most UTIs will require antibiotic treatment, but some home remedies can reduce discomfort until the infection clears up. Home remedies include drinking plenty of water, avoiding caffeine, and using a heating pad on the abdomen.

5. Kidney stones

Share on PinterestDrinking fluids can help small kidney stones pass through the urinary tract.

When minerals and salts build up in the kidneys, they can form hard deposits called kidney stones.

A 2018 review in the journal Advances in Urology suggests that 1 in 11 people in the U.S. develop kidney stones.

These hard deposits may not cause any symptoms until they change positions in the kidney or urinary tract.

Kidney stones can then result in:

• changes in urinary habits and amount
• cloudy, strong-smelling, or pink urine
• fever and chills, in the case of an infection
• nausea
• pain in the abdomen, groin, sides, and back
• painful urination
• vomiting

Small kidney stones can pass through the urinary tract on their own. It is helpful to drink fluids and take pain relivers until the stone passes.

At other times, it is necessary to undergo surgery or another type of medical procedure to remove the stone.

6. Prostatitis

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, which is just below the bladder in males.

Prostatitis has a prevalence rate of 8.2 percent and is “the most common urological diagnosis” in males aged 50 and under.

Bacterial prostatitis, which results from bacterial infection, causes:

• difficulty urinating
• flu-like symptoms, such as chills
• cloudy or bloody urine
• frequent urination
• pain in the abdomen, lower back, genitals, or groin
• painful urination and ejaculation

Treatment may include taking antibiotics and other medications. Using heating pads, making dietary changes, and making lifestyle changes may provide some symptom relief.

7. Mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis, or the kissing disease or mono, passes between people through saliva. Along with stomach pain and chills, symptoms include:

• fatigue
• fever
• headache
• a sore throat
• skin rash
• swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits
• swollen tonsils

Symptoms usually do not appear until 4–6 weeks after infection and last for up to 2 months.

Treatment includes resting, staying hydrated, and taking OTC pain relievers. Some people may require medications for secondary infections.

8. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes inflammation of the air sacs. In the U.S., it is “a leading cause of hospitalization” in both adults and children.

Pneumonia symptoms, which range in severity, include:

• chest pain
• chills
• coughing up phlegm
• diarrhea
• difficulty breathing
• fatigue
• fever
• nausea
• stomach pain
• vomiting

Pneumonia can be life-threatening for older adults, children, and those who have a compromised immune system. People who have symptoms should always speak with a doctor.

Treatment includes taking medication, resting, and other home remedies. Some people may require hospitalization.

9. Gallbladder inflammation

Gallbladder inflammation, or cholecystitis, is swelling of the gallbladder, which is a pear-shaped organ in the abdomen.

Gallstones are the most common cause of gallbladder inflammation. According to a 2012 study in the journal Gut and Liver, around 10–15 percent of adults will develop gallstones. Other causes include tumors and infections.

Cholecystitis symptoms, which often get worse after eating large or fatty meals, include:

• abdominal pain and tenderness, usually in the upper right or center
• fever or chills
• nausea
• pain in the back or right shoulder

If left untreated, gallbladder inflammation can cause severe complications. Some treatment options include hospitalization, fasting, intravenous fluids, and taking pain relievers. Surgery may be necessary to remove the gallstones or the entire gallbladder.

10. Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria, including chlamydia or gonorrhea, spread to the fallopian tubes, uterus, or ovaries.

Research from 2017, which appeared in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, suggests that 4.4 percent of sexually experienced females of reproductive age have PID.

PID does not always cause symptoms. Sometimes, people only realize that they have the condition when they experience difficulty getting pregnant.

If symptoms do occur, they include:

• bleeding between periods
• bleeding during or after sex
• chills
• difficult or painful urination
• fever
• heavy and foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis

Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics to people with PID. Sexual partners also require treatment.

Without treatment, the infection can cause chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.

11. Appendicitis

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, which is a piece of tissue attached to the large intestine.

Appendicitis affects 1 in 1,000 people in the U.S., usually those aged 10–30 years old.

The condition causes pain on the lower right-hand side of the abdomen. This tends to get worse over time and may occur alongside:

Surgery is usually necessary to remove the appendix.

12. Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula, which are bulging pouches that form in the gut’s lining, develop an infection or inflammation.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, these pouches may form in 35 percent of U.S. adults aged 50 and below, and in 58 percent of all people over the age of 60. However, most cases do not progress to diverticulitis.

Symptoms include:

• constipation or diarrhea
• fever or chills
• nausea
• stomach pain, which may be severe and persistent
• vomiting

Mild cases typically clear up by taking antibiotics, resting, and making dietary changes. Severe cases may require surgical intervention.

Other causes

Stomach pain and chills may have other less common symptoms, including:

• cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that causes organ damage
• epididymitis, or inflammation of the epididymis, which is a coiled tube at the back of the testicles
• heart attack, but only in rare cases
• leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow
• malaria, an infectious disease that mosquitoes carry
• meningitis, or inflammation of membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord
• pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas
• peritonitis, or inflammation of the peritoneum tissue in the abdomen
• scarlet fever, a bacterial illness
• shingles, a viral infection similar to chickenpox
• tuberculosis, a bacterial infection of the lungs
• Weil’s disease, a bacterial infection often transmitted by rodents
• yellow fever, an infection that mosquitoes carry

Stomach pain and chills: 12 causes

Here, we list some of the common causes of stomach pain and chills:

1. The common cold

Most adults can expect to have two or three colds every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Children usually have more.

The common cold causes symptoms including:

Symptoms typically improve after 7–10 days, though a cough can persist for 2 weeks or more.

Treatment involves home remedies such as resting, staying hydrated, and taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

2. Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis occurs when the stomach and intestines are inflamed due to a bacterial or viral infection.

Viral gastroenteritis, which some doctors call stomach flu, is the most common form. Other causes include reactions to food or medications.

In the United States, around 179 million cases of acute gastroenteritis each year, according to a study in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. This makes it one of the most common illnesses.

Signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis include:

• diarrhea
• headache
• low-grade fever or chills
• muscle aches
• nausea
• stomach cramps
• vomiting

Symptoms can persist for up to a week. Some treatment options include resting, staying hydrated, eating soft foods, and taking OTC medications.

3.

Salmonella infection

Infection with Salmonella bacteria is a common occurrence in the U.S. It causes 1.2 million illnesses annually, according to the CDC. People typically get the infection as a result of consuming contaminated food or water.

Symptoms usually begin within 12–72 hours of infection and may include:

• diarrhea
• fever or chills
• headache
• nausea
• stomach cramps
• vomiting

Treatment is typically unnecessary, and most people recover within a few days. During this time, self-care measures can reduce discomfort. People with severe symptoms may require medication or even hospitalization.

4. Urinary tract infection

A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when bacteria or other microbes infect the urinary tract. Females have a higher risk of developing UTIs than males do, with 40–60 percent of females experiencing one in their lifetime.

Symptoms may include:

• an increase in urinary frequency
• an increase in urinary urgency
• burning pain when urinating
• cloudy, strong-smelling, or pink urine
• fever or chills
• pain in the pelvis or back, which may radiate to the abdomen
• passing small amounts of urine regularly

Most UTIs will require antibiotic treatment, but some home remedies can reduce discomfort until the infection clears up. Home remedies include drinking plenty of water, avoiding caffeine, and using a heating pad on the abdomen.

5. Kidney stones

Share on PinterestDrinking fluids can help small kidney stones pass through the urinary tract.

When minerals and salts build up in the kidneys, they can form hard deposits called kidney stones.

A 2018 review in the journal Advances in Urology suggests that 1 in 11 people in the U.S. develop kidney stones.

These hard deposits may not cause any symptoms until they change positions in the kidney or urinary tract.

Kidney stones can then result in:

• changes in urinary habits and amount
• cloudy, strong-smelling, or pink urine
• fever and chills, in the case of an infection
• nausea
• pain in the abdomen, groin, sides, and back
• painful urination
• vomiting

Small kidney stones can pass through the urinary tract on their own. It is helpful to drink fluids and take pain relivers until the stone passes.

At other times, it is necessary to undergo surgery or another type of medical procedure to remove the stone.

6. Prostatitis

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, which is just below the bladder in males.

Prostatitis has a prevalence rate of 8.2 percent and is “the most common urological diagnosis” in males aged 50 and under.

Bacterial prostatitis, which results from bacterial infection, causes:

• difficulty urinating
• flu-like symptoms, such as chills
• cloudy or bloody urine
• frequent urination
• pain in the abdomen, lower back, genitals, or groin
• painful urination and ejaculation

Treatment may include taking antibiotics and other medications. Using heating pads, making dietary changes, and making lifestyle changes may provide some symptom relief.

7. Mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis, or the kissing disease or mono, passes between people through saliva. Along with stomach pain and chills, symptoms include:

• fatigue
• fever
• headache
• a sore throat
• skin rash
• swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits
• swollen tonsils

Symptoms usually do not appear until 4–6 weeks after infection and last for up to 2 months.

Treatment includes resting, staying hydrated, and taking OTC pain relievers. Some people may require medications for secondary infections.

8. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes inflammation of the air sacs. In the U.S., it is “a leading cause of hospitalization” in both adults and children.

Pneumonia symptoms, which range in severity, include:

• chest pain
• chills
• coughing up phlegm
• diarrhea
• difficulty breathing
• fatigue
• fever
• nausea
• stomach pain
• vomiting

Pneumonia can be life-threatening for older adults, children, and those who have a compromised immune system. People who have symptoms should always speak with a doctor.

Treatment includes taking medication, resting, and other home remedies. Some people may require hospitalization.

9. Gallbladder inflammation

Gallbladder inflammation, or cholecystitis, is swelling of the gallbladder, which is a pear-shaped organ in the abdomen.

Gallstones are the most common cause of gallbladder inflammation. According to a 2012 study in the journal Gut and Liver, around 10–15 percent of adults will develop gallstones. Other causes include tumors and infections.

Cholecystitis symptoms, which often get worse after eating large or fatty meals, include:

• abdominal pain and tenderness, usually in the upper right or center
• fever or chills
• nausea
• pain in the back or right shoulder

If left untreated, gallbladder inflammation can cause severe complications. Some treatment options include hospitalization, fasting, intravenous fluids, and taking pain relievers. Surgery may be necessary to remove the gallstones or the entire gallbladder.

10. Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria, including chlamydia or gonorrhea, spread to the fallopian tubes, uterus, or ovaries.

Research from 2017, which appeared in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, suggests that 4.4 percent of sexually experienced females of reproductive age have PID.

PID does not always cause symptoms. Sometimes, people only realize that they have the condition when they experience difficulty getting pregnant.

If symptoms do occur, they include:

• bleeding between periods
• bleeding during or after sex
• chills
• difficult or painful urination
• fever
• heavy and foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis

Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics to people with PID. Sexual partners also require treatment.

Without treatment, the infection can cause chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.

11. Appendicitis

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, which is a piece of tissue attached to the large intestine.

Appendicitis affects 1 in 1,000 people in the U.S., usually those aged 10–30 years old.

The condition causes pain on the lower right-hand side of the abdomen. This tends to get worse over time and may occur alongside:

Surgery is usually necessary to remove the appendix.

12. Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula, which are bulging pouches that form in the gut’s lining, develop an infection or inflammation.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, these pouches may form in 35 percent of U.S. adults aged 50 and below, and in 58 percent of all people over the age of 60. However, most cases do not progress to diverticulitis.

Symptoms include:

• constipation or diarrhea
• fever or chills
• nausea
• stomach pain, which may be severe and persistent
• vomiting

Mild cases typically clear up by taking antibiotics, resting, and making dietary changes. Severe cases may require surgical intervention.

Other causes

Stomach pain and chills may have other less common symptoms, including:

• cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that causes organ damage
• epididymitis, or inflammation of the epididymis, which is a coiled tube at the back of the testicles
• heart attack, but only in rare cases
• leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow
• malaria, an infectious disease that mosquitoes carry
• meningitis, or inflammation of membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord
• pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas
• peritonitis, or inflammation of the peritoneum tissue in the abdomen
• scarlet fever, a bacterial illness
• shingles, a viral infection similar to chickenpox
• tuberculosis, a bacterial infection of the lungs
• Weil’s disease, a bacterial infection often transmitted by rodents
• yellow fever, an infection that mosquitoes carry

Stomach pain and chills: 12 causes

Here, we list some of the common causes of stomach pain and chills:

1. The common cold

Most adults can expect to have two or three colds every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Children usually have more.

The common cold causes symptoms including:

Symptoms typically improve after 7–10 days, though a cough can persist for 2 weeks or more.

Treatment involves home remedies such as resting, staying hydrated, and taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

2. Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis occurs when the stomach and intestines are inflamed due to a bacterial or viral infection.

Viral gastroenteritis, which some doctors call stomach flu, is the most common form. Other causes include reactions to food or medications.

In the United States, around 179 million cases of acute gastroenteritis each year, according to a study in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. This makes it one of the most common illnesses.

Signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis include:

• diarrhea
• headache
• low-grade fever or chills
• muscle aches
• nausea
• stomach cramps
• vomiting

Symptoms can persist for up to a week. Some treatment options include resting, staying hydrated, eating soft foods, and taking OTC medications.

3.

Salmonella infection

Infection with Salmonella bacteria is a common occurrence in the U.S. It causes 1.2 million illnesses annually, according to the CDC. People typically get the infection as a result of consuming contaminated food or water.

Symptoms usually begin within 12–72 hours of infection and may include:

• diarrhea
• fever or chills
• headache
• nausea
• stomach cramps
• vomiting

Treatment is typically unnecessary, and most people recover within a few days. During this time, self-care measures can reduce discomfort. People with severe symptoms may require medication or even hospitalization.

4. Urinary tract infection

A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when bacteria or other microbes infect the urinary tract. Females have a higher risk of developing UTIs than males do, with 40–60 percent of females experiencing one in their lifetime.

Symptoms may include:

• an increase in urinary frequency
• an increase in urinary urgency
• burning pain when urinating
• cloudy, strong-smelling, or pink urine
• fever or chills
• pain in the pelvis or back, which may radiate to the abdomen
• passing small amounts of urine regularly

Most UTIs will require antibiotic treatment, but some home remedies can reduce discomfort until the infection clears up. Home remedies include drinking plenty of water, avoiding caffeine, and using a heating pad on the abdomen.

5. Kidney stones

Share on PinterestDrinking fluids can help small kidney stones pass through the urinary tract.

When minerals and salts build up in the kidneys, they can form hard deposits called kidney stones.

A 2018 review in the journal Advances in Urology suggests that 1 in 11 people in the U.S. develop kidney stones.

These hard deposits may not cause any symptoms until they change positions in the kidney or urinary tract.

Kidney stones can then result in:

• changes in urinary habits and amount
• cloudy, strong-smelling, or pink urine
• fever and chills, in the case of an infection
• nausea
• pain in the abdomen, groin, sides, and back
• painful urination
• vomiting

Small kidney stones can pass through the urinary tract on their own. It is helpful to drink fluids and take pain relivers until the stone passes.

At other times, it is necessary to undergo surgery or another type of medical procedure to remove the stone.

6. Prostatitis

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, which is just below the bladder in males.

Prostatitis has a prevalence rate of 8.2 percent and is “the most common urological diagnosis” in males aged 50 and under.

Bacterial prostatitis, which results from bacterial infection, causes:

• difficulty urinating
• flu-like symptoms, such as chills
• cloudy or bloody urine
• frequent urination
• pain in the abdomen, lower back, genitals, or groin
• painful urination and ejaculation

Treatment may include taking antibiotics and other medications. Using heating pads, making dietary changes, and making lifestyle changes may provide some symptom relief.

7. Mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis, or the kissing disease or mono, passes between people through saliva. Along with stomach pain and chills, symptoms include:

• fatigue
• fever
• headache
• a sore throat
• skin rash
• swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits
• swollen tonsils

Symptoms usually do not appear until 4–6 weeks after infection and last for up to 2 months.

Treatment includes resting, staying hydrated, and taking OTC pain relievers. Some people may require medications for secondary infections.

8. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes inflammation of the air sacs. In the U.S., it is “a leading cause of hospitalization” in both adults and children.

Pneumonia symptoms, which range in severity, include:

• chest pain
• chills
• coughing up phlegm
• diarrhea
• difficulty breathing
• fatigue
• fever
• nausea
• stomach pain
• vomiting

Pneumonia can be life-threatening for older adults, children, and those who have a compromised immune system. People who have symptoms should always speak with a doctor.

Treatment includes taking medication, resting, and other home remedies. Some people may require hospitalization.

9. Gallbladder inflammation

Gallbladder inflammation, or cholecystitis, is swelling of the gallbladder, which is a pear-shaped organ in the abdomen.

Gallstones are the most common cause of gallbladder inflammation. According to a 2012 study in the journal Gut and Liver, around 10–15 percent of adults will develop gallstones. Other causes include tumors and infections.

Cholecystitis symptoms, which often get worse after eating large or fatty meals, include:

• abdominal pain and tenderness, usually in the upper right or center
• fever or chills
• nausea
• pain in the back or right shoulder

If left untreated, gallbladder inflammation can cause severe complications. Some treatment options include hospitalization, fasting, intravenous fluids, and taking pain relievers. Surgery may be necessary to remove the gallstones or the entire gallbladder.

10. Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria, including chlamydia or gonorrhea, spread to the fallopian tubes, uterus, or ovaries.

Research from 2017, which appeared in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, suggests that 4.4 percent of sexually experienced females of reproductive age have PID.

PID does not always cause symptoms. Sometimes, people only realize that they have the condition when they experience difficulty getting pregnant.

If symptoms do occur, they include:

• bleeding between periods
• bleeding during or after sex
• chills
• difficult or painful urination
• fever
• heavy and foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis

Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics to people with PID. Sexual partners also require treatment.

Without treatment, the infection can cause chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.

11. Appendicitis

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, which is a piece of tissue attached to the large intestine.

Appendicitis affects 1 in 1,000 people in the U.S., usually those aged 10–30 years old.

The condition causes pain on the lower right-hand side of the abdomen. This tends to get worse over time and may occur alongside:

Surgery is usually necessary to remove the appendix.

12. Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula, which are bulging pouches that form in the gut’s lining, develop an infection or inflammation.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, these pouches may form in 35 percent of U.S. adults aged 50 and below, and in 58 percent of all people over the age of 60. However, most cases do not progress to diverticulitis.

Symptoms include:

• constipation or diarrhea
• fever or chills
• nausea
• stomach pain, which may be severe and persistent
• vomiting

Mild cases typically clear up by taking antibiotics, resting, and making dietary changes. Severe cases may require surgical intervention.

Other causes

Stomach pain and chills may have other less common symptoms, including:

• cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that causes organ damage
• epididymitis, or inflammation of the epididymis, which is a coiled tube at the back of the testicles
• heart attack, but only in rare cases
• leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow
• malaria, an infectious disease that mosquitoes carry
• meningitis, or inflammation of membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord
• pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas
• peritonitis, or inflammation of the peritoneum tissue in the abdomen
• scarlet fever, a bacterial illness
• shingles, a viral infection similar to chickenpox
• tuberculosis, a bacterial infection of the lungs
• Weil’s disease, a bacterial infection often transmitted by rodents
• yellow fever, an infection that mosquitoes carry

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.

Flu and diarrhoea – Find out why you have an upset tummy

An introduction to diarrhoea and flu

Diarrhoea is the passing of frequent watery stools. Although it is not the most common symptom of the flu, it can occur with many viral infections, and can leave you feeling weak and dehydrated. Generally speaking, diarrhoea associated with the flu should clear up within a few days, but if it lasts longer than this, it may be worth seeking medical attention.

Why am I experiencing diarrhoea with the flu?

The flu can cause diarrhoea, particularly in children, or those who already suffer with digestive disorders, such as diverticulitis. It is more commonly seen with swine or avian flu.

When you are unwell, your digestive system can become more sensitive and less able to properly break down food and absorb nutrients efficiently. This can result in diarrhoea as food and fluid passes too quickly through the bowel.

Are there home remedies to help me?

While the last thing you probably want to do when you have diarrhoea is to eat and drink, remember that severe diarrhoea can cause you to become very weak and dehydrated. It is important to drink plenty of water as you are losing a lot of fluid through bouts of diarrhoea.

Even if you have very little appetite during the first couple of days, try to eat a little dry bread or toast, to keep your blood sugar levels up. Some plain yoghurt should not aggravate your condition, and may even reduce symptoms of diarrhoea. It is important not eat sugary foods, fatty foods, or those which will aggravate an already sensitive digestive system.

Give yourself plenty of rest, as diarrhoea can cause you to feel weak. Exerting yourself while you are suffering from flu and diarrhoea will slow down your recovery.

What about herbal remedies?

The most effective herbal remedy is one which will support your immune system, helping it to fight off the flu virus. For example, licensed herbal product Echinaforce^® Echinacea tinctures or tablets, contains fresh extracts of the Echinacea plant, a plant which has long traditional use in aiding the function of the immune system, helping to prevent infection or to shorten the course of illness.

Additionally, some people find Tormentil effective. It is a herb which has traditionally been used to settle an upset stomach and to ease diarrhoea. It is one of Alfred Vogel’s original formulations, available in tincture form.

Are there conventional medicines to help with diarrhoea?

A doctor is likely to be concerned that your diarrhoea is causing you to experience dehydration. The risk of this is higher in children, the elderly, or after prolonged bouts of diarrhoea. If this is the case, he may recommend,an oral rehydration solution which will replace essential salt, glucose and minerals.

Anti-diarrhoeal medications may also be recommended, particularly if your diarrhoea has persisted for more than a few days. They work by slowing the movement of muscles in the gut, and usually help to shorten the duration of your diarrhoea by around 24 hours.

In order to help you to fight off the flu, your doctor may suggest an anti-viral drug, Oseltamivir or Zanamivir. However, this treatment is not appropriate for everyone, and you should discuss with your doctor the possible side-effects.

Gastroenteritis – Digestive Disorders – Merck Manuals Consumer Version

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, the 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 drinks, 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 walls of the intestine, 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, and 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 intestine 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 diet 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 Diarrhea: Types of Intestinal Disorders, Symptoms and Nutrition During Treatment | Medicinal Directory | Health

Important

Diarrhea can be caused by both bacteria that have entered the body from contaminated water or poor-quality food, and viruses. With intestinal infections, in addition to the actual diarrhea, a person may be disturbed by symptoms of intoxication: fever, chills, body aches, nausea.

In addition, there is the so-called non-infectious diarrhea. It can be caused by various factors:

Food. Diarrhea is often caused by alcohol, a large amount of coffee, and can be triggered by too fatty or spicy food.

Taking medications. Side effects of many drugs include gastrointestinal disturbances, including diarrhea.

Various diseases. Diarrhea can be a symptom of colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and even cancer.

A special type of diarrhea occurs in response to antibiotic intake . By killing some of the “good” bacteria in the intestines, antibiotics can provoke the reproduction of others, harmful ones. This can manifest itself as mild stool disorders, and severe repeated diarrhea with blood and dehydration. In such cases, an urgent need to consult a doctor, because severe diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics must be treated with … other antibiotics.

Patient memo

Severe diarrhea is associated with dehydration.In cases where the patient loses a large amount of fluid, he needs to take rehydration solutions. They are based on sugar and salt – substances that help replace the lost important electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chlorides). These products also aid in the absorption of water in the intestines.

If none of these medicines are on hand, you can prepare the solution yourself by stirring a pinch of salt and sugar in boiled water (40 ° C).

You need to take solutions often (every 10-15 minutes), but little by little (100-150 ml), slowly and in small sips – taking them too quickly can cause vomiting.It is especially important to carry out these activities for diarrhea in young children.

In case of diarrhea proceeding with an increase in temperature, one should be especially careful with drugs that slow down intestinal motility. They delay the elimination of microbes and their toxins from the body and make the condition worse. You should also not take antibiotics without finding out the causes of diarrhea.

SOS!

In most cases, diarrhea resolves within 1–2 days and does not require medical attention to be treated.However, in some situations it is necessary to see a doctor:

• diarrhea lasts 3 or more days
• The presence of blood in the stool
• high body temperature (more than 38.5 ° C)
• discharge of profuse watery stools more often 15-20 times a day
• diarrhea accompanied by impaired consciousness
• severe dehydration or inability to replenish body fluids.

If, in addition to diarrhea, there are symptoms such as bloating, vomiting and especially severe pain, you should immediately call an ambulance.

Notes

Proper nutrition is especially important for the treatment of diarrhea. Viscous soups are recommended – rice or oat (you can add a little butter to them). You can eat liquid porridge: semolina, rice, pureed buckwheat and oatmeal. Lean meats, poultry and fish are used to prepare dishes that are passed 2-3 times through a meat grinder or smashed in a blender.

Excluded from the diet: black bread, legumes, beets, cucumbers, sauerkraut, radishes, radishes, plums, grapes, fruit juices, whole milk, cream, yoghurts, fermented baked milk, fatty meats, fish, poultry, meat and fish broths, sauces, spices, alcohol.

Complete fasting for stool disorder is not advisable.

Remember, self-medication is life-threatening, consult your doctor for advice on the use of any medications.

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Viral diarrhea and their prevention

Published: 02.03.2015

The fact that viruses can cause diarrhea have become
speak back in the first half of the past
century. It has been suggested that winter diarrhea is often
caused by viruses, and these diarrhea began to be called “intestinal
flu ”,“ epidemic diarrhea ”, or winter diarrhea. Over time, methods
diagnostics of viral diarrhea have become more perfect, which made it possible to identify
specific viruses that lead to the development of the disease.

Viral diarrhea is widespread throughout
the world, they annually get sick up to millions of children and adults, they can
there are both isolated cases and epidemic outbreaks, mainly among
young children or in closed organized groups. On leading
positions in the list of viral diarrhea is rotavirus, it accounts for more than 35% of all
viral diarrhea in the world. During the period of seasonal rise in incidence, which
falls on the cold season, rotaviruses account for up to 80% of all
diarrhea of ​​viral origin.

One of the most salient features
viruses, is their resistance in
environment, good storage properties at low water temperatures and
air. They can survive at 20 degrees for more than two weeks, and at ten –
up to several months.

How
can you get infected?

Usually sources of infection when practically
any viral diarrhea can be caused by people who are sick, recovering, or
carriers of the virus, themselves not sick, but emitting viruses.In adults, the disease occurs in
mild, or asymptomatic. Often, adults caring for a child become sources of infection for their
children.

Factors
transmission of viral diarrhea can
become food and water contaminated with viruses, things and toys of children,
which they put in their mouth

Viruses via
mouth penetrate the stomach and intestines. There, viruses begin to multiply actively, damaging
intestinal cells, causing vomiting and diarrhea.

Usually
viral diarrhea does not last long, does not give a severe course. Therefore, they
are considered favorable in terms of prognosis and recovery. However, rotavirus
diarrhea can be quite severe, especially for young children.

To protect yourself from
diseases with viral diarrhea need
observe the following rules:

Wash your hands often. Wash your hands thoroughly before
cooking and after every break in the cooking process, especially after
going to the toilet.After cutting raw food such as fish, meat or
poultry, wash your hands again before handling other foods,
for example, salad.

• Keep children’s hands clean, teach them
  hand washing rules. Do not forget to wash your child’s hands after playing and walking.
• Only take care of your baby with clean clothes.
• When sending a child to kindergarten, dress
  him in clean clothes. All toys must be left at home.Do not give to the child
  take with you cookies, sweets and others
  products.
• Clean the apartment thoroughly. Wash toys daily with hot water and soap
• Prepare food thoroughly. Eat food right away
  after cooking.
• Observe the rules for preparing dairy
  mixtures. Milk and water for young children is a must
  boil.
• Fruits, vegetables, berries must be carefully
  wash, then pour over with boiling water.
• Avoid contact between raw and prepared foods.
  products. Use different
  dishes, boards and knives for raw and finished products. Food that is cooked correctly can be contaminated
  by contact with raw foods. This is cross contamination
  may be obvious when, for example, raw meat comes into contact with cooked food,
  or it can be hidden. For example, you cannot use the same
  cutting board and knife for cutting raw meat and slicing salad.

When the first signs of discomfort appear
(abdominal pain, loose stools, vomiting, high fever) it is very important not to exercise
self-medicate, and consult a doctor. Before his arrival, isolate the sick person in
a separate room, allocate separate dishes and personal hygiene products;
disinfect.

Compliance with all these rules will protect you
and your loved ones from viral diarrhea.

Doctor-epidemiologist of the Hygiene Center

and epidemiology of the Frunzensky district of St.Minsk

E.L. Borisenok

90,000 What happens to the body when you fast

• Ahmen Khawaja
• BBC

May 15, 2018

Photo author, Getty Images

Photo caption,

Muslims fast 30 days from dawn to dusk but how does this affect their health?

Many religions prescribe fasting at certain times of the year – a period of abstinence from certain types of food, often the most nutritious.

Thus, in mid-May, Muslims will begin a 30-day fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, which is an additional difficulty in northern latitudes. In Norway, for example, Muslims will have to fast 20 hours a day at this time of year.

Could fasting like this be good for your health? This is what happens to the body during a 30-day fast.

Photo author, Getty Images

Caption to photo,

During fasting, the body first of all burns sugar reserves in the liver

The hardest part is the first couple of days

Formally, your body enters a special “fasting” state only approximately eight hours of fasting after the last meal.

It is during this period that the body finishes assimilating nutrients from the food received.

Shortly thereafter, the body switches to glucose stores in the liver and muscles.

When these reserves are depleted, we turn to the processing of stored fat in the body to generate energy for life.

Photo author, Getty Images

Photo caption,

The first few days of fasting are the most difficult: the body gets used to living for many hours a day without food

When fat begins to burn, we lose weight, our cholesterol levels and the risk of developing diabetes.

However, a drop in blood sugar levels leads to weakness and drowsiness. Headache, dizziness, nausea and bad breath may develop.

At this point, your hunger level reaches a critical point.

Days 3-7: Avoid Dehydration

When the body begins to get used to fasting, fats begin to break down and turn into blood sugar.

Between fasting periods, the body must be carefully replenished to prevent dehydration.

Photo Credit, Getty Images

Photo Caption,

During fasting, especially during the summer months, it is very important to drink plenty of water.

Your meals should include sufficient levels of carbohydrates and fats to keep the body energized.

During this time, it is very important to follow a balanced diet consisting of nutrients, including proteins, salts and fluids.

Day 8-15: Addictive

By the third stage of fasting, you should already notice that the body is used to fasting.

Dr. Razin Maruf, Anesthesia and Intensive Care Consultant at Addenbrooks Hospital, Cambridge, believes there are other benefits as well.

Photo by Getty Images

Caption,

If you consume too many calories, the body will not be able to fight disease and recover

“In everyday life, we often get too many calories, and this can interfere with the body’s ability to perform some of its functions. such as recovery.And this imbalance is corrected during fasting, allowing the body to distribute attention to its various functions, “he says.

Day 16-30: detoxification

By the second half of the fast, the body fully adapts.

During this period, your large intestine , liver, kidneys and skin go through a detoxification process

Photo by Dr Razeen Mahroof

Caption,

Dr. Razin Maruf from the Addenbrooks Hospital in Cambridge believes that long and regular fasting is not the best way to lose weight

“On At this stage, the functionality of the organs should reach the maximum level of efficiency.Memory and concentration can improve and you can have more energy, “explains Maruf.

” Your body does not use proteins as an energy source. This happens when the body begins to really seriously starve and therefore begins to “eat” the muscles. This happens during prolonged and regular fasting for many days and weeks, “he continues.

” Since fasting in Ramadan occurs only from dawn to dusk, this is enough for the body to have time to store the energy potential in the form of food and liquid.This saves you from losing muscle mass, “the doctor says.

So fasting is good for your health?

Dr. Maruf thinks yes, but only under one condition. conscious consumption. However, while fasting for a month is good, it’s not worth doing it all the time, ”he warns.

“Continuous fasting is not the best way to long-term weight loss, because eventually your body will stop getting energy from fat and turn to muscles instead.This is unhealthy and means that the body will switch to fasting mode, “he notes.

The doctor suggests that outside fasting, intermittent fasting (or a 5: 2 diet, when fasting for several days between periods of healthy meals) can become healthy an alternative to fasting for many months in a row.

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Video caption,

An Italian long-liver talks about her diet

Headaches, fatigue, insomnia, dizziness

07 April

Ask a Question

Make an appointment

I am 24 years old.In the last month, there are headaches, fatigue, insomnia, dizziness (in certain situations: getting out of the car, raising your head sharply, getting up abruptly, a busy working day), rarely blurring the eyes. Until May, six months were worried about the problems of periodic neurosis: 10 days a positive state, on the 11th day headaches and insomnia, hyperactivity, in the following days 14-20 days, severe fear and its neurotic manifestations – shaking in the body, heat-cold, loss of appetite, insomnia, anxiety-depressive state, apathy, difficulty concentrating.The transition periods are very abrupt. She took glycine, afobazole up to 4 times a day, phenibut up to 3 times a day, tenaten up to 6 times a day, to no avail. I did an MRI of the brain with contrast. The result is as follows: on the right, on the occipital lobe, at the level of the posterior horn of the lateral ventricle of the lower contour, an oval-shaped focus is determined, an intensely accumulating contrast. The size is 19x11x13.6 mm, a homogeneous structure with smooth, clear contours. The formation is intimately adjacent to the wall of the ventricle. The cranivertebral transition is not changed.The pituitary gland is not enlarged. The median structures are not displaced. The ventricles are of the usual shape, the lateral ones are asymmetric (the right one is enlarged). Subarachnoid spaces are not enlarged. The paranasal sinuses are pneumatized. Conclusion MR signs of a mass in the right hemisphere (anaplastic astrocytoma?). A neurosurgeon in consultation after a conversation with me (I just had another improvement), examination, concluded that there were no clinical manifestations, refrain from surgical treatment, do a second MRI in six months.The neurosis is not associated with the detected formation. No treatment was prescribed. I would like to know the causes of neuroses and their frequency and how to get rid of them? Because it is they who break my whole life and make me practically inoperable.

Akimov Vitaly

Neurologist, Ph.M.Sc.

The sleep disturbances, anxiety, asthenic and neurotic conditions that you describe, especially if they bother you all your life, often require a combined medication and non-medication treatment. If your symptoms have already been sorted out, and the volumetric education is being monitored, then you may no longer need a neurologist. If I were you, I would come to grips with “neurosis”, which is what psychiatrists do in our clinic first of all, you can sign up by phone + 7 (495) 933 66 55.

Feeling hot

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-medication. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For a diagnosis and correct treatment, you should contact your doctor.

The feeling of heat experienced by a person arises from a sharp expansion and blood filling of small subcutaneous vessels.This condition is called arterial hyperemia. At the same time, the skin turns red and becomes hot.

The vascular lumen is regulated by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Its changes depend on the signals of the vasomotor (vasomotor) center of the central nervous system, hormones, pyrogenic (causing heat) substances entering the blood, and a number of other factors.

Variation of heat sensation

The vessels are constantly influenced by factors that have a vasoconstrictor or vasodilator effect.For example, under stress, the blood vessels under the influence of the hormone adrenaline constrict, the skin turns pale. At the end of the stressful situation, the vessels relax and fill with blood.

Pathological arterial hyperemia, which is accompanied by a feeling of heat, develops either under the influence of irritants (infections, toxins, tissue breakdown products during a burn, pyrogenic substances), or in violation of nervous regulation.

Distinguish neurogenic arterial hyperemia (arising in response to irritation of nerve endings) and metabolic (due to the action of local chemical factors).An example of neurogenic arterial hyperemia is reddening of the face and neck with hypertension, climacteric syndrome, as well as with strong emotions.

Blood electrolytes have a metabolic effect on vascular tension: calcium and sodium constrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure, while potassium and magnesium, on the contrary, expand. Metabolic regulators include carbon dioxide, organic acids, hormones.

Possible causes of the heat sensation

Hot, spicy and spicy foods can cause flushing and hot sensations.

The same effect on the body has alcohol , which promotes the expansion of blood vessels.

Taking some medications can also cause a feeling of heat spreading throughout the body. These include vasodilators, hormonal agents, antidepressants, etc.

The causes of arterial hyperemia and, as a consequence, the feeling of heat can be different. If the regulation of vascular tone is impaired, arterial hypertension may develop, accompanied by a sudden increase in blood pressure – a hypertensive crisis.The most common cause of this condition is hypertension. However, in a third of cases, arterial hypertension is caused by diseases of the internal organs: acute glomerulonephritis and other renal lesions, adrenal tumors and other diseases of the endocrine system. The magnitude of the rise in blood pressure in a hypertensive crisis depends on the age and individual characteristics of the person. At a young age, symptoms of a crisis can occur with a lower level of blood pressure, and in the elderly – at a higher level.

A sharp increase in blood pressure is accompanied by headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, visual impairment (“flies”, double vision). There may be numbness in the limbs, a feeling of creeping, palpitations, shortness of breath.

Due to a violation of nervous regulation, chills occur, followed by fever, increased sweating. The end of the crisis is accompanied by frequent urination.

Increased blood pressure and symptoms accompanying this condition also occur with adrenal tumors – pheochromocytoma and other hormone-producing tumors.The tumor secretes large amounts of catecholamines (adrenaline and norepinephrine).

Clinical signs of pheochromocytoma may include headache, sweating, increased heart rate, irritability, weight loss, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, weakness, fatigue. In some cases, patients may experience fever, shortness of breath, hot flashes, increased thirst, increased urination, dizziness, and tinnitus.

Many women complain of hot flashes during the climacteric .The change in hormonal levels occurs even before the cessation of menstruation, during the premenopause (menopausal transition). At first, its manifestations are insignificant, and most often they are not given importance or are attributed to the consequences of fatigue and mental stress. Hormonal and metabolic changes, in particular, a decrease in the level of estrogen, progesterone and an increase in the production of gonadoliberin, are accompanied by hot flashes, which can be repeated several times a day.

Women describe them as intermittent short-term sensations of heat followed by chills, increased sweating, and palpitations.

In most cases, hot flashes do not significantly affect well-being. Arterial hyperemia and a feeling of heat can be a sign of a dysfunction of the thyroid gland, for example, with thyrotoxicosis . Patients with thyrotoxicosis complain of general weakness, fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbance, sweating, trembling fingers, palpitations, and sometimes pain in the region of the heart.

Despite the increased appetite, patients with thyrotoxicosis lose weight.

The violation of thermoregulation, which occurs due to the accelerated metabolism, leads to an increase in body temperature and causes a constant feeling of heat.The skin becomes warm and moist, the blood vessels of the skin dilate, which is accompanied by reddening of the face. Sweating intensifies, nails become brittle, hair falls out.

Sometimes hot flashes and a feeling of heat in combination with high blood pressure occur in diabetes mellitus . These symptoms are accompanied by general malaise, sweating, thirst, and an increase in the volume of excreted urine.

Which doctors should I contact?

If you regularly experience symptoms such as fever and hot flashes, you should turn to
a therapist who, on the basis of the complaints and analyzes presented, will refer to
gynecologist or
endocrinologist.

Diagnostics and examinations

The appearance of periodic hot flashes, accompanied by a feeling of heat, sweating, redness of the skin of the face, requires mandatory diagnosis.

The doctor evaluates the patient’s complaints, taking into account the age, gender and concomitant diseases. With an increase in blood pressure, turning into crises, it is necessary to determine the nature of the pathology – primary (associated with a violation of nervous regulation) or secondary (due to diseases of internal organs).For this, a clinical blood test and a general urine test, a urine test according to Nechiporenko, a blood test for glucose, cholesterol, creatinine are prescribed. 90,000 reasons, symptoms, how to quickly stop

Acute diarrhea is a multifactorial syndrome that is included in the list of symptoms of many infectious and non-infectious diseases. The main symptom of pathology is frequent loose stools. The feces become watery or mushy. With an exacerbated course of the primary disease, undigested food debris, mucus, and foam are present in the feces.The urge to defecate becomes more frequent and occurs with an interval of 2-3 hours.

General

Every year, two billion people worldwide are diagnosed with signs of diarrhea. Stool disorder remains the most common manifestation of pathological processes of the gastroenterological, proctological and infectious types.

The disease is characterized by a favorable course in the presence of adequate and timely treatment. Patients with acute intestinal infections are admitted to hospitals.Diarrhea of ​​other genesis can be treated on an outpatient basis.

Causes of the disease

Stool disorder develops in patients under the influence of various factors:

• Infections;

90,059 toxins;

90,059 medication intake;

• inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract;

90,059 acute diseases of the pelvic organs.

In countries with a high culture of personal hygiene, diarrhea is the result of infections entering the human body.Their causative agents are rotaviruses and adenoviruses. Bacterial infections remain an equally common cause of diarrhea. Stool disorder is provoked by salmonella, Escherichia coli, Shigella. In a similar way, helminthic invasions affect the condition of children and adults.

A common form of pathology is travelers’ diarrhea. It develops in people who move between countries with strict sanitation standards and countries with low levels of sanitation.

Symptoms

The clinical picture of the pathology is determined by the type of intestinal disorder identified in the patient. The secretory form of diarrhea occurs without abdominal pain. The daily volume of loose stools exceeds 1 liter. The mild course of the disease is explained by the increased secretion of water in the intestine against the background of irritation of its mucous membrane with toxins. The frequency of the urge to defecate does not depend on the patient’s diet.

The aggravated course of diarrhea is accompanied by a number of nonspecific symptoms:

• abdominal pain;
• increase in body temperature;
• attacks of nausea;

90,059 episodic vomiting.

Significantly increased frequency of stool provokes dehydration. Against this background, the patient is faced with dehydration and its manifestations in the form of drying out of the skin, an increase in blood pressure and tachycardia. The smell and color of feces changes – dark shades of green dominate. Pathological processes in the large intestine can lead to staining of the stool with blood, the appearance of mucus and foam.

Do you have symptoms of diarrhea?

Only a doctor can accurately diagnose the disease.Do not delay the consultation – call

+7 (495) 775-73-60

Diagnostics

The patient is examined by an infectious disease specialist, proctologist or gastroenterologist. The doctor collects data for anamnesis and clarifies the list of drugs that were used by a child or adult before the onset of diarrhea. The main diagnostic criterion for the disease is loose stools, which are observed in humans at least three times a day. The duration of an intestinal disorder should not exceed three days.

Confirmation of the diagnosis is carried out after laboratory tests. General tests of blood and feces make sure that there is an inflammatory process in the body of a child or adult. The coprogram contains information about the concentration of leukocytes and erythrocytes in the biomaterial. Based on these data, doctors differentiate between inflammatory and non-inflammatory types of pathology. Identification of signs of inflammation involves bacteriological culture. This technique makes it possible to determine the causative agent of the pathology that caused acute diarrhea.Occasionally, microbiological studies are ineffective. In this case, the patient is referred for apparatus tests, which are designed to establish the cause of the stool disorder.

Therapeutic measures

Diarrhea treatment is based on the relief of the main symptoms. Patients with stool disorder are prescribed diet, eubiotics and adsorbents. The diet includes foods that reduce intestinal motility and reduce the secretion of fluid in it. Adults and children should temporarily refuse meals that can irritate and damage the mucous membranes of the digestive tract.

Diarrhea is often accompanied by severe fluid and electrolyte loss. Restoring water balance is performed through rehydration therapy. A slight degree of dehydration is eliminated by oral administration of saline solutions. Severe forms of pathology require parenteral rehydration. Intravenous infusion of saline solutions quickly normalizes the condition of patients.

The appointment of antibacterial drugs is appropriate when pathogenic bacteria are detected in the analyzes of children or adults.Oral administration of medications continues until the traces of infection from the biomaterials of patients disappear completely.

Preventive measures

It is relatively simple to prevent the development of acute diarrhea in an adult or a child – it is enough to eliminate the main causes of the entry of pathogens into the body. Personal hygiene remains a key element of prevention. Particular attention should be paid to the storage of perishable food. Meat, fish, unpasteurized milk and chicken eggs must be thoroughly cooked.Products in the refrigerator need regular revision – expired products must be disposed of. The same should be done with any purchases with damaged packaging.

Questions and Answers

What are the features of diarrhea diet?

Patients should consume water, light broths, tea. With the normalization of the condition (for 2-3 days), it is permissible to include steamed meat, slimy soups in the diet.High fiber foods should be avoided. Food should be taken in small portions at intervals of 2-2.5 hours.

How to prevent the development of diarrhea in a preschool child?

Parents should have a prophylactic conversation with their babies and talk about the need to observe the rules of personal hygiene. The child should be aware of the dangers of eating unwashed vegetables and fruits, the main ways of transmission of viral and bacterial infections.You can consolidate the knowledge gained in game situations. Parents can show children by example how easy it is to follow all the rules.

.