Stomach Flu is a sickness that you wish never to have, and this is because when it hits, it hits hard. The stomach flu, also referred to as gastroenteritis, is an infection of the stomach and the intestines. The general term for any infection of the stomach or intestine is gastroenteritis. Stomach flu causes an excruciating pain that can render one nonfunctional and utterly miserable, making it hard for you to move, stand or take any position at all. It is essential to watch out for the symptoms of stomach flu to prevent it. [1]
The first stages of the stomach flu usually start with three primary symptoms: fever, chills, and nausea. From the three, it progresses to vomiting, diarrhea, [2] and severe aches in the abdomen area. Stomach flu has no specific treatment, which means it has to run its course once it starts. It usually lasts for about 1-3 days. The primary cause of stomach flu is viruses. Although in rare cases, it can also be caused by parasites and bacteria. The sickness often develops after contacting with an infected person or after consuming contaminated food or water.
Even though there is no specific treatment for stomach flu, some remedies can be applied to ease the pain and make it a lot more bearable. Some of these remedies include;
Stay Hydrated
Drink lots of fluid; this is the first remedy to put into consideration. The reason for the importance of fluid is that you would be losing vital bodily fluids from sweating, diarrhea and vomiting. So, it is essential to take in liquid to keep the body functioning. You may find it difficult to keep liquids down; you can try taking small sips at regular intervals.
Also, the type of liquid you consume matters; you can’t just take on any drink, obviously not any form of alcohol. The best fluids to take in are:
- Clear and clean water.
- Recommended sports drinks that can help with the replacement of electrolyte.
- Teas such as ginger and peppermint can help calm the stomach and alleviate nausea.
- Pharmaceutical prepared Pedialyte and can also be gotten over-the-counter.