Viral gastroenteritis, commonly known as stomach flu, is an intestinal infection that can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms. It can impede your plans for the day and leave you feeling unhealthy. According to Mayo Clinic, the primary symptoms of this infection are abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, and sometimes an accompanying fever.
The stomach flu is highly contagious because it is a viral disease and those experiencing symptoms can be contagious for up to two weeks depending on the strain of virus. The two main strains of virus that cause stomach flu are norovirus which is common in adults, and rotavirus, which is common in children. Most people develop the stomach flu after encountering someone that is carrying the virus or through contaminated food or water.
While there is no known cure for gastroenteritis – it will have to run its course before the viral infection has gone, there are things that can help relieve symptoms and even speed up healing time. Below are some of the most effective treatment options for stomach flu symptoms:
The BRAT Diet
It can be difficult to keep down regular food while suffering from the stomach flu and this prevents many people from eating anything. Not eating can further impede recovery because the body needs fuel to heal itself. It is recommended that patients suffering from stomach flu try to follow the BRAT diet. This is a specially formulated diet consisting of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast.
These food options are easy for the digestive system to keep down because they are bland and easy to eat. Additionally, bananas can replenish the potassium stores in the body, which get depleted through vomiting. This temporary diet provides the necessary nutrients and carbohydrates to help patients feel more energized and recover.
IV Therapy for Stomach Flu
Another effective treatment for stomach flu is IV therapy and saline infusions. This treatment replenishes precious fluids and minerals that are depleted due to vomiting and diarrhea. It is important to keep the body well hydrated to avoid dehydration, which can further lengthen recovery time. While having the stomach flu it can be difficult to keep anything, even liquids, down. Intravenous infusion circumvents the need to drink anything by delivering fluids directly into the bloodstream for immediate relief. This has a 100% absorption rate by the body for effective cell hydration.
IV Drip Therapy for stomach flu can also speed up recovery time by providing the necessary vitamins at a crucial time. The Food Poisoning and Stomach Flu Drip treatment from Drip IV Therapies is proven to fortify the body to fight against infections such as the stomach flu. It provides the immune system with vitamins and minerals like a B complex, vitamin C, L-glutamine, Pepcid, zinc, and Zofran. The B complex includes eight B vitamins specifically formulated to boost the body’s natural immune system along with vitamin C. L-glutamine is an important amino acid that helps heal the gut, repair intestinal walls, and improve nutrient absorption. Pepcid relieves stomach flu discomfort by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces. Zofran is an anti-nausea medicine that stops vomiting in its tracks for immediate relief. Zinc has been proven to not only reduce symptoms but also shorten the duration of gastroenteritis. The combination of these vitamins, minerals, and saline is the most effective way to treat the stomach flu and get patients back on their feet.
Drink Sports Drinks & Ginger Tea
It is important to remain properly hydrated throughout the duration of the virus and after. Along with water or saline IV, patients should drink ginger tea and sports drinks with electrolytes. The electrolytes, sodium, and potassium in sports drinks, such as Gatorade, help replace those that are lost through diarrhea and vomiting. These beverages help to provide energy for the body when it is difficult to keep down food.
Ginger tea can also be helpful in relieving symptoms of stomach flu because it is known to lessen nausea. Ginger also has other proven health benefits for the stomach because it accumulates in the GI tract. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease stomach pain by lessening the inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. This inflammation occurs because your body is trying to expel the foreign substance that is causing the infection. Simple homemade ginger tea can be created by grating ginger into a cup, pouring hot water over it, and letting it steep for 15 minutes.
While there is no way to magically cure stomach flu there are steps that can be taken to ease the symptoms. It is best to try and avoid catching this virus altogether; stay away from contaminated people, don’t share drinks or food, and use an antibacterial hand gel throughout the day. Regardless of how the illness was contracted, the Food Poisoning and Stomach Flu Drip from Drip IV Therapies is a great relief aid for the stomach flu, food poisoning, and other stomach ailments.
