Gastroenteritis is swelling of the stomach, small intestine or large intestine i.e. the gut lining, which results in to a combination of pain in abdominal , cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Acute gastroenteritis usually lasts only few days i.e. less than or about 14 days while persistent gastroenteritis lasts between 14 and 30 days and chronic gastroenteritis lasts more than 30 days.
CAUSES
Acute gastroenteritis is caused by various infectious agents like norovirus, rotavirus, enteric adenovirus, amoeba, shigella, e coli etc. Viral causes of acute gastroenteritis is dominated by norovirus and rotavirus. Other causes include antibiotics, excessive laxative abuse, organophosphorus poisoning etc.
Chronic gastroenteritis or persistent gastroenteritis is caused by parasitic infections, medications, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, celiac disease, lactose intolerance, colorectal cancer, bowel obstruction, malabsorption and ischemic bowel. Immuno compromised patients are very vulnerable to chronic gastroenteritis infections.
TYPES AND SYMPTOMS:
TRAVELER'S DIARRHEA: Mostly people who travel to developing countries or underdeveloped areas where generally hygienic conditions are not maintained acquire this problem. It should also be considered if diarrhea develops within 10 days of their return home.
It is mostly transmitted by contaminated food and water. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites but the most common cause is bacteria.
Symptoms: Common symptoms include malaise, anorexia, abdominal pain and cramping, watery diarrhea, nausea and vomiting and low grade fever. If caused by Campylobacter jejuni or Shigella, symptoms may progress to colitis, bloody diarrhea and tenesmus.
FOODBORNE ACUTE GASTROENTERITIS: It is caused by toxins in food, pathogens that create toxins in food or pathogens that make toxins in gastrointestinal lining after food is made.
Symptoms can be sudden onset of nausea and vomiting after eating. Frequent watery stools and abdominal cramping. It can also be wide ranging from mild to severe diarrhea, etc.
ANTIBIOTIC ASSOCIATED DIARRHEA: It is also known as C difficile colitis. It mostly occurs in hospitalized patients with increasing risk correlating with lengthy hospital stay. The use of multiple antibiotics during the stay further increases the risk.
Symptoms can be abdominal pain and mild to moderate watery diarrhea. It can also show fever, nausea, severe abdominal pain, profuse diarrhea and possibly bloody diarrhea.
PREVENTION
Take precautions when travelling:
When you're visiting other countries or other cities you might become sick from the food or water that can be contaminated. You may be able to reduce your risk by following these tips:
- Drink purified water or water from sealed water bottle only.
- Try to avoid using ice cubes as they may be unhygienic.
- Use bottled water even to brush your teeth.
- Avoid eating raw food- included peeled fruits, raw vegetables and salads- that been touched by human hands.
- Avoid undercooked meat and fish or vegggies.
HOME REMEDIES TO MANAGE ACUTE GASTROENTERITIS
- Prevent dehydration:
- Have oral rehydration solution
- Adults should be drinking a lot of clear fluid.
- Drink fluids slowly in frequent, small amounts. Drinking too much too fast can make nausea worse.
- As symptoms start to ease:
- Slowly start to ease food back to person's diet.
- Eat bland, easy to digest food such as crackers, bananas, toast, rice and chicken in the starting.
- Try to avoid dairy, caffeine, and alcohol until recovery is complete.
HOW AYURVEDA HELPS
In Ayurveda, it is called “Atisara”. Some conditions like weak digestive power, impure water, toxins, and mental stress commonly cause diarrhea. Depending upon which particular Dosha, Atisara has been classified in to vataj, pittaj, kaphaj, sannipatik, bhayaj, and shokaj types.
Atisara is mainly caused by Vata dosha. Vataj atisara is marked by painful loose motion with gases and sounds. Pittaj atisara causes motion with a burning sensation that shows offensive odor. Kaphaj atisara is sticky, oily, whitish motion with a foul odor. Sannipatik atisara is caused by the vitiation of all three doshas and have mixed characteristics. Bhayaj and Shokaj atisara are caused by fear and grief respectively.
Ayurvedic treatment by CAC
In Ayurveda, there are numerous herbs that deal with all the signs & symptoms related to diarrhea patients. This ayurvedic treatment provides the best results to diarrhea patients as all the signs & symptoms are treated with the use of the ayurvedic medicines mentioned below in detail:
1. Detox Premium PowderThe powder contains a combination of natural and pure herbo-mineral ingredients which is the best remedy for the treatment of gastroenteritis problems. The mixture contains ingredients like– Parwal pishti, Giloy satav, Sutshekhar ras, Sudhyog tab, shwet parpati, Akik pishti, Jahar mohra, & Moti pishti. It relieves the body from the condition like general weakness, loose stools, fatigue, abdominal pain, cramps, etc.
Recommended Dosage –Take 1 sachet twice a day with normal water.
2. Sheetdhara Syrup
It is a very good antacid that neutralizes stomach acidity and relieves heartburn, indigestion, or an upset stomach. This herbal syrup is used in health conditions like gastritis, belching, bloating, abdominal cramps, etc. This syrup commonly used to treat symptoms like hyperacidity, heartburn, abdominal cramps, and pain in abdomen conditions. It is used for extra gas and feeling of pressure, discomfort in the stomach or gut of your body.
Recommended Dosage: Take half teaspoon twice a day with four teaspoon of water on an empty stomach.
3. Kutaj Ghan Vati
Kutaj Ghan vati is purely herbal formulation. It is very useful in curing gastroenteritis, intestinal infection, and dysentery. These herbal tablets deal with all signs & symptoms related to diarrhea patients. Kutaj ghan vati contains ingredients like Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica), Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum) that manage the symptoms like abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, loose stools, general weakness, fatigue, etc. The herbs in these tablets show antioxidant, anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, etc properties.
Recommended Dosage: Take two tablets twice a day before meal with water.
4. Liver care syrup
Liver Care syrup helps in balancing Pitta dosha. This Syrup enhances regeneration of liver cells, promote functions of liver, and improve blood flow from the liver. It helps in the treatment of fatty liver, liver cirrhosis, Hepatitis, and obstructive Jaundice. It contains Ingredients like Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Kutaki (Picrorhiza kurroa), Bhumi amla( phyllanthus niruri), Giloy(Tinopora Cordifolia), Yavakshar( Hordeum vulgare), Imli Kshar( Tamarindus indica), Mukta Shukta pisti etc. These herbs shows Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, Hepato-protective, properties. This syrup improves digestion, enhances appetite. All signs & symptoms related with diarrhea are treated with the regular use of this syrup.
Recommended Dosage: Take 2 teaspoonful twice daily.
5. Active Plus Tablet
Active plus Tablet is a pure herbo-mineral formulation prepared from best quality of herbs. This tablet is best for person mental and physical health, also helps to boost up the immunity. The herbal ingredients present in these tablets are used to maintain person’s health and refreshes the mind and body. These tablets improves digestion, eliminates constipation, stress, nourishes brain, acts as antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, etc.
Recommended Dosage: Take two tablets twice a day with water.
