Introduction
Stomach flu, otherwise known as viral gastroenteritis, is an infection caused by a virus that affects the digestive system. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, fever, abdominal cramps, and dehydration. Fortunately, most cases of stomach flu can be treated at home with proper self-care.
This article will provide an overview of home treatment for stomach flu, including staying hydrated, getting enough rest, avoiding certain foods, eating bland foods, taking over-the-counter medications, taking probiotics, and when to seek medical attention.
Stay Hydrated
When you have stomach flu, it’s important to stay hydrated. Drinking fluids helps your body replace the fluids lost through vomiting and diarrhea. It also helps flush out toxins from your body. Benefits of staying hydrated include preventing dehydration, reducing abdominal cramping, and helping to reduce the duration of the illness.
It’s important to drink the right kind of fluids. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can make dehydration worse. Stick to water, clear broth, ginger ale, sports drinks, or electrolyte solutions. You can also eat popsicles, ice chips, or gelatin to help stay hydrated.
Rest
It’s also important to get plenty of rest when you have stomach flu. Resting gives your body time to heal and helps reduce symptoms. It can also reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others. Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep per night. If possible, take naps during the day as well.
Avoid Certain Foods
When you have stomach flu, it’s best to avoid certain types of foods. These include dairy products, fatty and fried foods, spicy foods, and sugary foods. These types of food can irritate your stomach and make symptoms worse. It’s also important to avoid alcohol and caffeine.
Eat Bland Foods
When you’re feeling better, start to eat bland foods such as crackers, toast, bananas, plain rice, applesauce, and oatmeal. Bland foods are easy on the stomach and can help relieve symptoms. Avoid adding any spices or sauces to your food. It’s also important to eat small meals throughout the day instead of large meals.
Take Medication
Over-the-counter medications can help relieve symptoms of stomach flu. These include antacids to reduce acidity in the stomach, anti-diarrheal medications to slow down bowel movements, and anti-nausea medications to reduce vomiting. It’s important to read the label and follow the directions carefully. Talk to your doctor before giving any medication to a child.
Take Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help restore balance to your digestive system. They can help reduce symptoms of stomach flu such as diarrhea, cramps, and bloating. They can also help reduce the duration of the illness. Probiotics can be found in supplements, yogurt, kefir, and fermented foods such as kimchi.
Seek Medical Attention
If your symptoms don’t improve after a few days, or if they become worse, it’s important to seek medical attention. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if there is a bacterial infection, or intravenous fluids if you are severely dehydrated. It’s also important to seek medical attention if you experience bloody stools, severe abdominal pain, or a high fever.
Conclusion
Stomach flu can be unpleasant, but it usually resolves on its own with proper self-care. To treat stomach flu at home, it’s important to stay hydrated, get enough rest, avoid certain foods, eat bland foods, take over-the-counter medications, take probiotics, and seek medical attention if needed. With a little bit of patience and care, you can get back to feeling like yourself in no time.
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