A stomach infection is one of the most common afflictions affecting thousands of people around the world. Most people have experienced stomach infection symptoms at least once in their lifetime. At times, the infection could be a one off, lasting for no more than a day or two; however, in some people the infection could be a chronic or a recurrent problem. Stomach infections can be of two types; some people are known to suffer from a stomach bacterial infection, whereas others may have a viral stomach infection. It is more common to see stomach bacterial infection in children or adults who tend to eat out a lot. Viral stomach infections, on the other hand, are highly contagious and can easily be passed on from one person to another. Because of this, there are many people who check with health experts whether a stomach bacterial infection is contagious. A bacterial stomach infection does not spread through contact. The stomach infection treatment options may also differ based on whether it is a bacterial infection, or a viral one.
Stomach Infection Symptoms
In most cases, stomach bacterial infection symptoms are generally quite similar to viral stomach infection symptoms, which mainly include:
- Cramps in the abdominal area
- Nausea and in some cases vomiting too
- Presence of blood in the stool
- Lack of appetite
- Pain in the abdomen
- Diarrhea (loose motions)
The severity of the symptoms may differ, based on the cause of the infection. As soon as the stomach infection symptoms mentioned above are evident, it is important for people to consult a doctor. In case the infection is not checked and controlled at the right time, it could lead to dehydration.
Stomach Bacterial Infection Treatments
The medical health care provider usually prescribes antibiotics or other medication in order to get rid of a bacterial stomach infection. However, there are several people who prefer to use simple stomach bacterial infection home remedies, which are quite effective, and have fewer side effects, as compared to conventional medication. Given below are a few effective home remedies for loose motion and stomach pain caused by an infection:
- Eating yogurt, with live probiotic bacteria, is known to produce an acid that defends the body against invaders and fights them off. This loose motions home remedy is generally safe for adults as well as children
- Drink a lot of water, or other liquid that will help soothe the stomach. However, juice, soda or any other beverage that is sweet should be strictly avoided.
- Increasing the intake of foods that are high in Vitamin C, such as oranges or other citric fruits, is highly recommended as this vitamin helps the body fight off the infection
- All food should be consumed while they are still hot and any leftovers should be refrigerated without much delay. Eating food that has been prepared hours ago or food that has not been preserved in the right manner can aggravate the problem
- There are certain natural and home remedies that are excellent for controlling the stomach infection symptoms, like pain, cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. These herbal remedies include mint, ginseng and shiitake.
The home remedies for loose motion, vomiting and cramps mentioned above are easy to follow; however, it is best to check with a doctor, before using any of them. These remedies may not be appropriate for kids and therefore, it is important for parents to ask a pediatrician for a loose motions home remedy for children. Loose motions or a stomach infection could be quite serious, if they affect pregnant women. Therefore, before using any home remedies for loose motion during pregnancy, it is important for women to visit a doctor.
answered by G M