Upset stomach? Treat your woes away with the best probiotics

Gastroenteritis occurs when you have diarrhoea coupled with vomiting. This happens due to an inflammation in the intestines due to some viral or bacterial infection. Treating stomach flu/gastroenteritis with non-pathogenic live microorganisms has been found fruitful based on evidence in recent years

Use of probiotics for gastroenteritis has become quite a mainstay when it comes to effective treatment in adults. Probiotics for gastroenteritis help suppress growth of pathogenic bacteria, at the same time also helping to combat gastroenteritis through strengthening of the immune system.

What are the symptoms of Gastroenteritis?

• Low-grade fever
• Nausea
• Mild diarrhoea – watery
• Headache
• Cramps
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Bloody diarrhoea–one must consult the doctor immediately

What are the causes of Gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis typically happens because of mostly a bacterial infection, however, sometimes gastroenteritis can also occur due to viral infections. Probiotics for gastroenteritis comes into play when the disease spreads in either of the following ways:

• Contact with someone infected with the bacteria or virus
• Contaminated food/ water
• Unwashed hands post changing diapers
• Lack of bathroom hygiene

The bacteria shigella, E. coli and salmonella might carry the blame for causing Gastroenteritis while when we look at the viruses that are responsible for gastroenteritis, rotavirus and norovirus form a part of the list. Other rare reasons include heavy metals, eating acidic foods, and toxins found in seafood. In some cases, certain antibiotics, antacids, and chemotherapy drugs could also cause havoc in one’s system, leading to Gastroenteritis.

What are the risk factors of Gastroenteritis?

One needs to assess the following risk factors before deciding on the medication or supplementation needed for gastroenteritis:

Question 1: Were you in close contact with an infected person or had travelled internationally?
Question 2: Were you exposed to community outbreaks of gastroenteritis or to farm animals/ zoo animals, etc.?
Question 3: Had you undercooked meat / poultry/ raw shellfish?

Question 4: Do you have low immunity?

Diagnosis and Complications of Gastroenteritis

It is pertinent to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis. Herein the doctor would check for history of contact with an infected person or having eaten outdoors in the near past. A visit to places with poor sanitation will have to be ruled out during diagnosis. Final diagnosis would be based on symptoms, lab tests and signs of severe dehydration / severe diarrhoea.

Almost all adults are known to recover without complications, aided effectively by probiotics for gastroenteritis.

Role of probiotics in management of Gastroenteritis

Research has shown the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii amongst probiotics for gastroenteritis–to be useful in treating the disease. Probiotics are known to decrease the duration of gastroenteritis in adults from two days to about half a day. Other probiotics for gastroenteritis also include Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium.

Probiotics have entered mainstream medical practice, as a decrease in the severity and duration of infectious gastroenteritis as shown in some strains. The use of probiotics has been suggested in the treatment of acute gastroenteritis in addition to early rehydration and avoidance of dietary restrictions. 

Normagut capsule and sachet helps in maintaining the balance of good bacteria which is important for gut health. Normagut contains freeze-dried yeast of Saccharomyces boulardii which acts as a natural defence. However, it is always recommended to take medication under a doctor’s guidance.

Easy tips to prevent Gastroenteritis:

Some of the best tips to keep gastroenteritis in adults at bay are as follows:

1. Wash hands with soap and water, each time you visit the loo, and before and after preparing food.
2. Cook all meats thoroughly.
3. Never drink unpasteurised milk
4. Clean contaminated surfaces with chlorine-based solutions.
5. Only drink bottled water during travelling.

If all else fails to treat stomach infection/flu, studies suggest that you can trust probiotics to make you well in no time. Of course, as we always say, consult your doctor before going for any medication. Do not self-medicate.

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Sources:

https://www.medscape.com/answers/176515-102957/what-is-the-role-of-probiotics-in-the-management-of-viral-gastroenteritis#:~:text=In%20recent%20years%2C%20probiotics%20have,of%20action%20is%20incompletely%20understood.
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/gastroenteritis 
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/gastroenteritis-in-adults-a-to-z 
https://www.childrensmercy.org/health-care-providers/evidence-based-practice/clinical-practice-guidelines/acute-gastroenteritis-in-the-educc/acute-gastroenteritis—risk-factors-for-bacterial-acute-gastroenteritis/ 
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/probiotics-diarrhea#:~:text=Some%20research%20shows%20that%20the,treat%20this%20type%20of%20diarrhea. https://www.health.harvard.edu/digestive-health/is-something-in-your-diet-causing-diarrhea