How to treat stomach flu symptoms
June 14, 2008
Stomach flu arises when cells on the small intestinal lining become damaged. The damaged cells leaks fluid, resulting in diarrhea with a watery consistency. Contrary to what people believe, stomach flu is not caused by a bacterial infection nor a virus that causes influenza. Hence, there is no need for antibiotics, a conventional treatment used to fight bacteria. However, you can make use of home remedies to ensure that you get rid of stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis, as soon as possible.
At the same time, these remedies ensure that its symptoms get diminished to the least possible extent. In the following lines, there are number of home remedies to help you know ‘how to get rid of gastroenteritis’. Stomach flu is also known as viral gastroenteritis or stomach virus. It is caused by different types of viruses. Headaches, body aches, chills, fever, diarrhea and/or vomiting, nausea…these are all symptoms of the stomach flu. If you have body aches and are still sick with diarrhea after 2 days, they are tell-tale signs of a stomach flu and not food poisoning.
When you have diarrhea or are vomiting, your body is easily susceptible to dehydration. Obviously, water will help rehydrate your body, but ORS solution is also a great way to replenish your fluids. Boil water and add some rice to it. Reduce the heat to low and let the rice cook, till they become nearly soft. Strain the water and let it cool. Now, drink a small cup of rice water every hour or so. You can also add a bit of honey and cinnamon to the rice water, for taste. With stomach flu, your body loses most of the good bacteria present inside. Consuming yoghurt can help you make good the loss and also soothe the stomach.
It has flavor so you won’t get sick of only drinking water and the electrolytes will give you some energy, especially if you aren’t eating much and it’s hard to keep food in your system. Oddly enough, some people do not get a stomach virus. However, this does not preclude them from passing on an infection. That explains why not everyone falls sick nor at the same time. Only some get sick in households, classroom settings, nursing homes, day care settings, etc.
Unfortunately, there is no immediate cures for viruses; hence, you would just have to allow your stomach flu symptoms to run its course. However, it is possible to reduce the intensity of the symptoms. Bananas have been associated with treatment of stomach flu since ages. The fruit is not only easy to digest, but also provides potassium and magnesium to the body. If you are suffering from stomach flu, try having broths and soups. Not only do they replenish the lost fluids in your body, but are also an excellent source of nourishment.




























