One of the worst sights to a parent is their child vomiting uncontrollably. It’s not a pretty picture, but guess what; you’ll probably face it sometime. It’s called Gastroenteritis and symptoms include vomiting and an initial low-grade fever (under 102 deg. F), followed by lingering diarrhea and little appetite. In most cases though, there is no danger and this highly contagious illness requires no more than the right knowledge.
It’s Not the Flu, But a Virus
Although everyone refers to vomiting and diarrhea as stomach flu, these problems are usually caused by a gastrointestinal virus (a true “flu” is influenza, a respiratory infection). Stomach flu usually strikes first between 6 and 24 months, when the immune system has not yet fully build up its defenses. That means the first infection will probably be the most (tongue in cheek) fun. By age three, almost all kids will have had at least one run-in with this contagion.
Many different viruses can cause this condition, including rotaviruses, noroviruses, adenoviruses, type 40 or 41, sapoviruses, and astroviruses. (www.cdc.gov) Interestingly, many parents do not know that the virus is passed through saliva or feces. Make sure that sanitary practices are covered thoroughly with children and that they don’t put their mouth on objects (such as shopping cart handles) or put objects in their mouth (such as pens from school). It’s amazing what a breeding ground of unsanitary germs exist at school, birthday parties or other gatherings where children use the bathroom and do not wash their hands.
The “24-Hour Bug” Is a Myth
Some children may feel nauseated for 2-3 days, and then have diarrhea for another week, which sort of throws hot water on the 24 hour theory. This is no reason to panic. How long each bout lasts depends on the particular virus and on how your child’s intestines react to it. But when your child is vomiting, there is a concern about dehydration.
Signs of dehydration in babies can include tearless crying, dark urine and sunken eyes, says William Cochran, vice chairman of pediatrics at the Geisinger Clinic in Danville, Pa. “A small infant with profuse diarrhea and vomiting could become dehydrated in six to 12 hours” without otherwise appearing dramatically ill, he says. “When an infant starts to look really sick, you are late in the game.”
A baby or toddler vomiting green bile should be seen immediately, he adds. And, in anyone, sudden bruising and broken blood vessels (except in the face, where the strain of vomiting may be to blame) could signal a breakdown in blood platelets, seen in infections with the dangerous E. coli 0157:H7 strain. (www.usatoday.com)
But absent of such signs, give babies and toddlers a teaspoonful of electrolyte solution every twenty minutes or so to replace the nutrients they’ve lost. It contains a proper mixture of sugars and minerals to help their delicate intestines absorb liquid. Bigger children should take an ounce of electrolyte solution in the same time period. If that stays down for fifteen minutes, then give another ounce, rehydrating the child over hours. At this point, don’t worry about getting them to eat anything.
If you are still breastfeeding a baby, continue to nurse right through the illness, because mother’s milk has protective antibodies. With bigger children, other liquids can be substituted. (Surprising Facts About Stomach Flu, Sarah McCraw Crow, December 2002 issue of Parents Magazine)
Medication Overreaction
It may be tempting at this point to reach for over-the-counter anti-diarrhea or upset-stomach remedies. I advise against them because they don’t actually cure anything, they just slow things down in the intestines, leading to an overgrowth of harmful gut bacteria.
As well, Pepto-Bismol contains salicylates, an aspirin-like compound that can lead to a serious condition called Reye’s syndrome in younger children.
Antibiotics won’t do much to treat a stomach flu. If anything, they will make it worse because they kill the good bacteria in your intestinal tract, making you more susceptible to severe abdominal cramps.
Relieving Symptoms
The following steps may help relieve the symptoms of Stomach Flu (Viral Gastroenteritis).
Take a high quality probiotic every 30 to 60 minutes until you feel better.
Try adding raw honey (to calm the inflammation) if the symptoms persist more than a few hours after starting the probiotics.
Allow your gastrointestinal tract to settle by not eating for a few hours.
Sip small amounts of clear liquids or suck on ice chips if vomiting is still a problem.
Give infants and children oral rehydration solutions to replace fluids and lost electrolytes.
Gradually reintroduce food, starting with bland, easy-to-digest food, like toast, broth, apples, bananas, and rice.
Avoid dairy products, caffeine, and alcohol until recovery is complete.
Get plenty of rest.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis (EG).
Is still a fairly rare disease; however it has become more prevalent within the past few years. EOS, as it is sometimes called, can actually be classified as a blood disorder, even though the affected part of this disease is the gastro-intestinal tract. Eosinophils are a normal part of the body’s defense system, and when the body senses an intruder it will react by immediately sending eosinophils through the blood stream to attack the intruder and protect the body.
With Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis, or EG, something has gone wrong and the body is sensing certain foods as harmful intruders, setting off the immune system response. The eosinophils hit the stomach, small intestine, or colon (depending on where this person is sensitive or reactive), can’t really find any true invaders and ends up turning in to the gastrointestinal wall.
Eosinophils are highly effective defenders of the body, so when they attack the intestinal wall, they do some damage. This will produce the symptoms associated with Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis, which are usually pain, vomiting, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and abdominal distension. The eosinophils can penetrate the gastrointestinal system to different depths, depending on the severity. Over time, the villi in the intestine, which is what absorbs the nutrients into the body from the food we eat, can be completely destroyed.
With Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis, or EG, something has gone wrong and the body is sensing certain foods as harmful intruders, setting off the immune system response. The eosinophils hit the stomach, small intestine, or colon (depending on where this person is sensitive or reactive), can’t really find any true invaders and ends up turning in to the gastrointestinal wall.
Eosinophils are highly effective defenders of the body, so when they attack the intestinal wall, they do some damage. This will produce the symptoms associated with Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis, which are usually pain, vomiting, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and abdominal distension. The eosinophils can penetrate the gastrointestinal system to different depths, depending on the severity. Over time, the villi in the intestine, which is what absorbs the nutrients into the body from the food we eat, can be completely destroyed.
Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis.
Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis (EG) is still a fairly rare disease; however it has become more prevalent within the past few years. EOS, as it is sometimes called, can actually be classified as a blood disorder, even though the affected part of this disease is the gastro-intestinal tract. Eosinophils are a normal part of the body's defense system, and when the body senses an intruder it will react by immediately sending eosinophils through the blood stream to attack the intruder and protect the body.
With Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis, or EG, something has gone wrong and the body is sensing certain foods as harmful intruders, setting off the immune system response. The eosinophils hit the stomach, small intestine, or colon (depending on where this person is sensitive or reactive), can't really find any true invaders and ends up turning in to the gastrointestinal wall.
Eosinophils are highly effective defenders of the body, so when they attack the intestinal wall, they do some damage. This will produce the symptoms associated with Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis, which are usually pain, vomiting, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and abdominal distension. The eosinophils can penetrate the gastrointestinal system to different depths, depending on the severity. Over time, the villi in the intestine, which is what absorbs the nutrients into the body from the food we eat, can be completely destroyed.
Diagnosis
EOS is very hard to get a definitive diagnosis, and many people spend years trying to find out what is wrong with them, or their children. The biggest obstacle to a good diagnosis is that a lot of doctors out there just do not know about Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis, Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EE), or hypereosinophilic syndrome, and therefore misread symptoms and are reluctant to order an endoscopic procedure, which is the only way to get an actual clinical diagnosis. The GI tract is "scoped" and samples taken at different points along the way. These samples (biopsies) are then examined for Eosinophilic concentrations (they are counted) and a determination is made on an EG diagnosis.
Treatment
There is no cure. Treatment is to avoid eating the foods that cause a reaction, which is the standard protocol for food allergies as well. However, some have only a handful of foods that are tolerable (don't cause reactions) and some EG patients simply can't eat anything at all. In these cases, supplementation with, or a simple diet of an elemental amino acid based food supplement is needed. The two major brands on the market today are Neocate and Elecare. They are expensive and most insurance companies won't pay for them unless the patient has been G-tubed.
For infants, these formulas can be administered through a bottle, but as children get older the bottle is no longer acceptable. Some can make the transfer to cups, using straws or flavoring in the drink to make it palatable, but for others the G-tube feeding tube is the only alternative to getting the nutrients needed for life.
Corticosteroids are also an option, with some patients responding well to treatment, however, long term steroid use has its own set of side effect symptoms as well. Drugs and other treatments for EOS disorders are still in the research stages, and avoidance to reactive foods is still the best option. For many patients, their only source of nutrients is their Neocate!
With Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis, or EG, something has gone wrong and the body is sensing certain foods as harmful intruders, setting off the immune system response. The eosinophils hit the stomach, small intestine, or colon (depending on where this person is sensitive or reactive), can't really find any true invaders and ends up turning in to the gastrointestinal wall.
Eosinophils are highly effective defenders of the body, so when they attack the intestinal wall, they do some damage. This will produce the symptoms associated with Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis, which are usually pain, vomiting, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and abdominal distension. The eosinophils can penetrate the gastrointestinal system to different depths, depending on the severity. Over time, the villi in the intestine, which is what absorbs the nutrients into the body from the food we eat, can be completely destroyed.
Diagnosis
EOS is very hard to get a definitive diagnosis, and many people spend years trying to find out what is wrong with them, or their children. The biggest obstacle to a good diagnosis is that a lot of doctors out there just do not know about Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis, Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EE), or hypereosinophilic syndrome, and therefore misread symptoms and are reluctant to order an endoscopic procedure, which is the only way to get an actual clinical diagnosis. The GI tract is "scoped" and samples taken at different points along the way. These samples (biopsies) are then examined for Eosinophilic concentrations (they are counted) and a determination is made on an EG diagnosis.
Treatment
There is no cure. Treatment is to avoid eating the foods that cause a reaction, which is the standard protocol for food allergies as well. However, some have only a handful of foods that are tolerable (don't cause reactions) and some EG patients simply can't eat anything at all. In these cases, supplementation with, or a simple diet of an elemental amino acid based food supplement is needed. The two major brands on the market today are Neocate and Elecare. They are expensive and most insurance companies won't pay for them unless the patient has been G-tubed.
For infants, these formulas can be administered through a bottle, but as children get older the bottle is no longer acceptable. Some can make the transfer to cups, using straws or flavoring in the drink to make it palatable, but for others the G-tube feeding tube is the only alternative to getting the nutrients needed for life.
Corticosteroids are also an option, with some patients responding well to treatment, however, long term steroid use has its own set of side effect symptoms as well. Drugs and other treatments for EOS disorders are still in the research stages, and avoidance to reactive foods is still the best option. For many patients, their only source of nutrients is their Neocate!
Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
Gastroenteritis, also described as inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, is a sickness of fever, diarrhea and vomiting caused by an infectious virus, bacterium or parasite. It typically is of acute onset, usually lasting less than 10 days and self-limiting. Every so often it is referred to just as 'gastro'. It is often named the stomach flu or gastric flu even though it is not related to influenza.
If only the inflammation is found in the stomach, the term gastritis is used, and if only the small bowel is affected it is called enteritis.
Bacterial causes
Bacterial causes are less common in developed countries. Campylobacter jejuni is responsible for 5-10% of all cases, whereas Salmonella species, Shigella species, and various pathogenic types of Escherichia coli is accounted for a tiny percentage.
In the developing world enterotoxigenic, enteropathogenic and enteroinvasive E. coli are essential due to the sheer number of cases, whereas Shigella causes debilitating sickness and has increasing resistance against low-priced and readily available antibiotics. Cholera, caused by Vibrio cholerae is one more important cause of acute diarrhea sickness and following death in the developing world.
Viral causesViral causes are the most common of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children less than 5 years of age, in both developed countries and developing countries. Rotavirus group A (up to 50% of the cases), noroviruses (the most common cause of outbreaks of AGE in all age groups), adenoviruses type 40 and 41, astrovirus, and finally sapovirus.
Parasites
An outbreak of Giardia lamblia can cause dehydrating diarrhea in infants, and Cryptosporidium is known to cause 1-4% of cases of acute diarrhea in hospitalized infants.
Epidemiology
Worldwide diarrhea caused 4.6 million deaths in children in 1980 alone, and most of these in the developing world. This figure has now come down considerably to approximately 1.5 million deaths yearly, mainly due to global introduction of correct oral rehydration therapy (Victora et al 2000).
If only the inflammation is found in the stomach, the term gastritis is used, and if only the small bowel is affected it is called enteritis.
Bacterial causes
Bacterial causes are less common in developed countries. Campylobacter jejuni is responsible for 5-10% of all cases, whereas Salmonella species, Shigella species, and various pathogenic types of Escherichia coli is accounted for a tiny percentage.
In the developing world enterotoxigenic, enteropathogenic and enteroinvasive E. coli are essential due to the sheer number of cases, whereas Shigella causes debilitating sickness and has increasing resistance against low-priced and readily available antibiotics. Cholera, caused by Vibrio cholerae is one more important cause of acute diarrhea sickness and following death in the developing world.
Viral causesViral causes are the most common of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children less than 5 years of age, in both developed countries and developing countries. Rotavirus group A (up to 50% of the cases), noroviruses (the most common cause of outbreaks of AGE in all age groups), adenoviruses type 40 and 41, astrovirus, and finally sapovirus.
Parasites
An outbreak of Giardia lamblia can cause dehydrating diarrhea in infants, and Cryptosporidium is known to cause 1-4% of cases of acute diarrhea in hospitalized infants.
Epidemiology
Worldwide diarrhea caused 4.6 million deaths in children in 1980 alone, and most of these in the developing world. This figure has now come down considerably to approximately 1.5 million deaths yearly, mainly due to global introduction of correct oral rehydration therapy (Victora et al 2000).
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