ACUTE GASTROENTERITIS
Gastroenteritis means inflammation of the stomach and small intestine. Though it is fairly common disease in children, it accounts for high morbidity and deaths in paediatric age group.
Most common causes include:
Viruses (Responsible for approximately 70% of cases):
Viruses (Responsible for approximately 70% of cases):
- Rotavirus
- Nortoviruses
- Enteric adenoviruses
- Calci viruses
- Astroviruses
- Entroviruses
Protozoa (about 10%):
- Cryptosporidium
- Giardia Lamblia
Bacteria (about 10 – 20%):
- Campylobacter jejuni
- Salmonella
- E. coli
- Shigella
- Yersina enterocolita
- Vibrio cholera
There are factors which predispose children to acute gastroenteritis, including:
Signs and symptoms:
- Lack of exclusive breast feeding
- Environmental contamination
- Immune deficiency
- Malnutrition
- Zinc and vitamin A deficiency
- Measles
Signs and symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Increase or decrease in urinary frequency
- Abdominal pain
- Signs and symptoms of infection - Presence of fever, chills, body ache
- weight loss
- Malaise, lethargy
- Irritability
- Dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea
- Sunken eyes
- Thirsty, drinks eagerly
- Skin pinch goes back slowly
Management:
(Read more about Diarrhoea in Children and its management)
(Read more about Diarrhoea in Children and its management)
- Liquids that ARE suitable and those NOT suitable during diarrhea:
- Oral rehydration salts (ORS) and its new formulation
- Zinc during diarrhea:
- WASH hands after using the toilet!!
- Diet: Solid food must be given. Clear fluids containing electrolytes in first 24 hours. After 24 – 36 hours, a weak milk mixture may be substituted. Mashed rice, yogurt, other proteins should be given safely.
Homeopathic Drugs:
Bibliography:
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/801948-overview
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/964131-treatment
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroenteritis
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Acute+gastroenteritis
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1764079/
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Gastroenteritis/Pages/Introduction.aspx
http://treatment.hpathy.com/homeo-medicine/homeopathy-gastritis-acute-chronic-gastritis/
http://www.drhomeo.com/gastroenteritis/gastroenteritis-and-homeopathy/
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/801948-overview
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/964131-treatment
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroenteritis
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Acute+gastroenteritis
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1764079/
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Gastroenteritis/Pages/Introduction.aspx
http://treatment.hpathy.com/homeo-medicine/homeopathy-gastritis-acute-chronic-gastritis/
http://www.drhomeo.com/gastroenteritis/gastroenteritis-and-homeopathy/