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Treatments for Gastroenteritis
Treatment list for Gastroenteritis:
The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Gastroenteritis includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.
- Bed rest
- Fluids - to avoid dehydration
- Salt solutions
- Symptomatic treatment
- Diet changes
- Clear fluids
- Bland foods - e.g. cereals, rice, soup, crackers, applesauce etc.
- Avoid fried foods
- Avoid spicy foods
- Avoid fruits and vegetables
- Gradual addition of solid foods
- Gradual return to usual diet
- Pain and fever relief medications
- Hygiene measures to prevent contagion to others
- Hospitalization - mainly if severe dehydration (usually infants or elderly)
- Intravenous fluids - in severe cases; see treatment of dehydration
- Treatment of any underlying cause
Treatments of Gastroenteritis: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the treatments of Gastroenteritis.
Nausea & Vomiting:
Treatment
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
- Fluid resuscitation is a mainstay of therapy, because vomiting may cause significant dehydration
- Antiemetics (e.g., metoclopramide, ondansetron, prochlorperazine) may be administered to control symptoms
- Treat reversible causes as necessary (e.g., uremia, hypercalcemia, CNS infections, toxic exposures)
- Treatment of underlying etiologies generally eliminates vomiting
- Inner ear causes of vomiting may respond to treatment with anticholinergics (e.g., meclizine)
- Endoscopy/colonoscopy may be used diagnostically and therapeutically in cases of peptic ulcer disease or large bowel obstruction
Vomiting:
Treatment
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
- Stabilize patient and fluid resuscitation as initial therapy with electrolyte correction
- Surgical consultation if obstruction suspected
- Oral rehydration with small amounts of liquids if tolerated
- If signs of obstruction, nasogastric tube decompression and bowel rest
- Treat infections if indicated
- Remove toxins and allergens
- Surgical interventions for volvulus, Hirschprung, intracranial masses, pyloric stenosis, other anatomic causes
- Correct metabolic derangements
- Lifelong gluten-free diet for celiac disease
- Rare use of antiemetics/promotility agents for chemotherapy, motion sickness, postsurgery, gastroesophageal reflux disease
Vomiting – Projectile:
Treatment
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
- Maintain fluid balance
- Correct electrolytes
-
Surgical correction
–Pyloroplasty for pyloric stenosis
–Ladd procedure for malrotation - Treat infections
-
Superior mesenteric artery syndrome
–May require nasojejunal feeds/TPN - Acid blockers for gastroesophageal reflux
- Amino acid or hydrolysate formula for milk allergy
-
PKU
–Avoid phenylalanine (requires special formula, dietary restrictions until maturation, possibly lifelong)
Abdominal distention:
Emergency interventions
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
If the patient displays abdominal distention, quickly check for signs of hypovolemia, such as pallor, diaphoresis, hypotension, a rapid thready pulse, rapid shallow breathing, decreased urine output, and altered mentation. Ask the patient if he’s experiencing severe abdominal pain or difficulty breathing. Find out about any recent accidents, and observe him for signs of trauma and peritoneal bleeding, such as Cullen’s sign or Turner’s sign. Then auscultate all abdominal quadrants, noting rapid and high-pitched, diminished, or absent bowel sounds. (If you don’t hear bowel sounds immediately, listen for at least 5 minutes in each of the four abdominal quadrants.) Gently palpate the abdomen for rigidity. Remember that deep or extensive palpation may increase pain.
If you detect abdominal distention and rigidity along with abnormal bowel sounds and if the patient complains of pain, begin emergency interventions. Place the patient in the supine position, administer oxygen, and insert an I.V. line for fluid replacement. Prepare to insert a nasogastric tube to relieve acute intraluminal distention. Reassure the patient and prepare him for surgery.
Bowel sounds, hyperactive:
Emergency interventions
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
After detecting hyperactive bowel sounds, quickly check the patient's vital signs and ask him about associated symptoms, such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. If he reports cramping abdominal pain or vomiting, continue to auscultate for bowel sounds. If bowel sounds stop abruptly, suspect complete bowel obstruction. Prepare to assist with GI suction and decompression, to give I.V. fluids and electrolytes, and prepare the patient for surgery.
If he has diarrhea, record its frequency, amount, color, and consistency. If you detect excessive watery diarrhea or bleeding, prepare to administer an antidiarrheal, I.V. fluids and electrolytes and, possibly, blood transfusions.
GENDER CUE:Homosexual males who report acute diarrhea and who have negative fecal ova and parasite cultures may be infected with chlamydial proctitis not associated with lymphogranuloma venereum. Because rectal cultures will probably be negative, treatment with tetracycline is appropriate.
Gastroenteritis:
Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Treatment is usually supportive and consists of bed rest, nutritional support, and increased fluid intake. When gastroenteritis is severe or affects a young child or an elderly or debilitated person, treatment may necessitate hospitalization, specific antimicrobials, I.V. fluid and electrolyte replacement and, possibly, antiemetics (given orally, I.M., or by rectal suppository).
Abdominal distention:
Emergency interventions
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
If the patient displays abdominal distention, quickly check for signs of hypovolemia, such as pallor, diaphoresis, hypotension, rapid and thready pulse, rapid and shallow breathing, decreased urine output, poor capillary refill, and altered mentation. Ask the patient if he’s experiencing severe abdominal pain or difficulty breathing. Find out about any recent accidents, and observe the patient for signs of trauma and peritoneal bleeding, such as Cullen’s sign or Turner’s sign. Then auscultate all abdominal quadrants, noting rapid and high-pitched, diminished, or absent bowel sounds. (If you don’t hear bowel sounds immediately, listen for at least 5 minutes.) Gently palpate the abdomen for rigidity. Remember that deep or extensive palpation may increase pain.
If you detect abdominal distention and rigidity along with abnormal bowel sounds, and the patient complains of pain, begin emergency interventions. Place the patient in the supine position, administer oxygen, and insert an I.V. line for fluid replacement. Prepare to insert a nasogastric tube to relieve acute intraluminal distention. Reassure the patient and prepare him for surgery.
Bowel sounds, hyperactive:
Emergency interventions
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
After detecting hyperactive bowel sounds, quickly check vital signs and ask the patient about associated symptoms, such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. If he reports cramping abdominal pain or vomiting, continue to auscultate for bowel sounds. If bowel sounds stop abruptly, suspect complete bowel obstruction. Prepare to assist with GI suction and decompression and to give I.V. fluids and electrolytes, and prepare the patient for surgery.
If the patient has diarrhea, record its frequency, amount, color, and consistency. If you detect excessive watery diarrhea or bleeding, prepare to administer an antidiarrheal, I.V. fluids and electrolytes and, possibly, blood transfusions.
Gender Cue: Homosexual males who report acute diarrhea and who have negative fecal ova and parasite cultures may be infected with chlamydial proctitis not associated with lymphogranuloma venereum. Because rectal cultures will probably be negative, treatment with tetracycline is appropriate.
Vomiting:
Patient counseling
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Advise patients to replace fluid losses to avoid dehydration. If vomiting is persistent, administer an antiemetic; consider hospitalizing the patient for I.V. fluid replacement or parenteral nutrition therapy. Advise patients suffering from migraine headaches that vomiting may be a prodromal symptom and that they should take antimigraine medication.
Gastroenteritis:
Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)
Usually supportive, treatment consists of nutritional support and increased fluid intake.
An episode of acute gastroenteritis is self-limiting. When an episode is severe and produces symptoms for more than 3 or 4 days and the patient is a young child or an elderly or debilitated person, hospitalization may be necessary. Treatment may include fluid and electrolyte replacement, antibiotic therapy, and antiemetics.
Bowel sounds, hyperactive:
Nursing considerations
(Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)
Obtain the patient’s vital signs. Prepare him for diagnostic tests. These may include endoscopy to view a suspected lesion, barium X-rays, computed tomography scan, or stool analysis.
Monitor intake and output closely. If diarrhea is present, monitor for signs and symptoms of dehydration.
Patient teaching
Explain prescribed dietary changes to the patient. These may range from complete food and fluid restrictions to a liquid or bland diet. Because stress commonly precipitates or aggravates bowel hyperactivity, teach the patient relaxation techniques such as deep breathing. Encourage rest and restrict the patient’s physical activity.
Vomiting:
Nursing considerations
(Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)
Draw blood to determine fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance. (Prolonged vomiting can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and metabolic alkalosis.) Have the patient breathe deeply to ease his nausea and help prevent further vomiting. Keep his room fresh and clean smelling by removing bedpans and emesis basins promptly after use. Elevate his head or position him on his side to prevent aspiration of vomitus. Continuously monitor his vital signs and intake and output (including vomitus and liquid stools). If necessary, administer I.V. fluids or have the patient sip clear liquids to maintain hydration.
Because pain can precipitate or intensify nausea and vomiting, administer pain medications promptly. If possible, give these by injection or suppository to prevent exacerbating associated nausea. If an opioid is used to treat pain, monitor bowel sounds and flatus and bowel movements carefully because they slow down GI motility and may exacerbate vomiting. If you administer an antiemetic, be alert for abdominal distention and hypoactive bowel sounds, which may indicate gastric retention. If this occurs, insert a nasogastric tube.
Patient teaching
Advise the patient to replace fluid losses to avoid dehydration. Inform the patient suffering from migraine headaches that vomiting may be a prodromal symptom; advise him to take antimigraine medication should vomiting occur.
Abdominal distention:
Emergency Actions
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
If the patient displays abdominal distention, quickly check for signs of hypovolemia, such as pallor; diaphoresis; hypotension; rapid, thready pulse; rapid, shallow breathing; decreased urine output; poor capillary refill; and altered mentation. Ask the patient if he’s experiencing severe abdominal pain or difficulty breathing. Find out about any recent accidents, and observe the patient for signs of trauma and peritoneal bleeding, such as Cullen’s sign or Turner’s sign. Then auscultate all abdominal quadrants, noting rapid and high-pitched, diminished, or absent bowel sounds. (If you don’t hear bowel sounds immediately, listen for at least 5 minutes.) Gently palpate the abdomen for rigidity. Remember that deep or extensive palpation may increase pain.
If you detect abdominal distention and rigidity along with abnormal bowel sounds and the patient complains of pain, begin emergency interventions. Place the patient in the supine position, administer oxygen, and insert an I.V. line for fluid replacement. Prepare to insert a nasogastric tube to relieve acute intraluminal distention. Reassure the patient, and prepare him for surgery.
Bowel sounds, hyperactive:
Emergency Actions
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
After detecting hyperactive bowel sounds, quickly check the patient’s vital signs and ask him about associated symptoms, such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. If he reports cramping abdominal pain or vomiting, continue to auscultate for bowel sounds. If bowel sounds stop abruptly, suspect complete bowel obstruction. Prepare to assist with GI suction and decompression, to give I.V. fluids and electrolytes, and prepare the patient for surgery.
If he has diarrhea, record its frequency, amount, color, and consistency. If you detect excessive watery diarrhea or bleeding, prepare to administer an antidiarrheal, I.V. fluids and electrolytes and, possibly, blood transfusions.
Vomiting:
Patient counseling
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
Have the patient breathe deeply to ease his nausea and help prevent further vomiting. Advise him to replace fluid losses to avoid dehydration. A patient suffering from migraine headaches should be advised that vomiting may be a prodromal symptom and antimigraine medication should be taken.
Abdominal distention:
Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
▪ Position the patient comfortably, using pillows for support.
▪ If the patient has flatus, place him on his left side to help flatus escape.
▪ If the patient has ascites, elevate the head of the bed to ease his breathing.
▪ Insert a nasogastric tube for bowel compression; monitor amount and type of drainage.
▪ Administer drugs to relieve pain, and offer emotional support.
▪ Prepare the patient for diagnostic tests, such as abdominal X-rays, endoscopy, laparoscopy, ultrasonography, computed tomography scan or, possibly, paracentesis.
▪ Prepare the patient for surgery, if indicated.
Patient teaching
▪ Teach the patient to use slow deep breathing to help relieve abdominal discomfort.
▪ If the patient has an obstruction or ascites, tell him which foods and fluids to avoid.
▪ Emphasize the importance of oral hygiene to prevent dry mouth.
▪ Explain the underlying disorder and treatment plan.
Bowel sounds, hyperactive:
Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
▪ Prepare the patient for diagnostic tests, such as laboratory studies, imaging studies, endoscopy, barium X-rays, or stool analysis.
▪ If the patient has diarrhea, administer I.V. fluids and electrolytes to replace losses.
▪ Restrict food and fluids to rest the GI tract, as indicated.
▪ If the patient has GI bleeding, restrict food and fluids and administer I.V. fluids, blood, and vasopressors.
Patient teaching
▪ Explain dietary changes, such as food and fluid restrictions, clear liquid diet, or bland diet.
▪ Teach stress reduction and relaxation techniques.
▪ Discuss any activity restrictions.
▪ Explain diagnostic tests and procedures.
▪ Teach the patient about the cause of hyperactive bowel sounds and the treatment plan after a diagnosis is established.
Vomiting:
Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
▪ Draw blood to determine fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance.
▪ Keep the patient's room clean smelling by removing bedpans and emesis basins promptly after use.
▪ Elevate the patient's head or position him on his side to prevent aspiration of vomitus.
▪ Monitor vital signs and intake and output (including vomitus and liquid stools).
▪ If necessary, administer I.V. fluids, or have the patient sip clear liquids to maintain hydration.
▪ Because pain can precipitate or intensify nausea and vomiting, administer pain medications promptly.
▪ Insert a nasogastric tube, as ordered.
Patient teaching
▪ Teach the patient deep-breathing exercises to ease nausea.
▪ Explain the importance of replacing fluid losses.
▪ Teach the patient about dietary restrictions and how to advance the diet.
Medical news summaries about treatments for Gastroenteritis:
The following medical news items are relevant to treatment of Gastroenteritis:
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- Doctors and Medical Specialists for Gastroenteritis
- Cure Research for Gastroenteritis
- Deaths from Gastroenteritis
- Statistics about Gastroenteritis
- Medical News Summaries About Gastroenteritis
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