Acute Gastroenteritis (also called Stomach Flu) Acute gastroenteritis is a sudden condition that causes irritation and inflammation

n of thestomach and intestines or the gastrointestinal tract. Viral infection is the most common cause of gastroenteritis but bacteria, parasites, andfood-borne illness (such as shellfish) can also cause acute gastroenteritis. Fifty to seventy percent of cases of gastroenteritis in adults are caused by thenoroviruses while rotavirus is the leading cause of infection in children. Staphylococcusaureus can form a toxin that cause food poisoning while the resident Escherichia colican also cause significant problems. Many people who experience symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, which develop fromthese types of infections or irritations believe they have food poisoning, and they indeedhave a food-borne illness. The severity of gastroenteritis depends on the immune systems ability to resist and fightthe infection. Electrolytes, especially sodium and potassium may be lost if the clientcontinue to vomit and experience diarrhea. Most people recover easily from a short course of vomiting and diarrhea by drinking lotsof fluids and resuming a typical diet. But for some, especially the young and the old, lossof body fluids with gastroenteritis can cause dehydration, which is a lifethreateningcondition unless it is treated and fluids are replaced.. Clinical Manifestations: Low grade fever to 100F (37.8C) Nausea with or without vomiting Mild to moderate diarrhea Crampy and painful abdominal bloatingMore serious symptoms include: Blood in vomit or stool Vomiting more than 48 hours Fever higher than 101F (40C) Swollen abdomen or abdominal pain Dehydration that is manifested by weakness, lightheadedness, decreased andconcentrated urination, dry skin and poor turgor, and dry lips and mouth Diagnostic Tests: Blood test Analysis of stool samples Electrolyte tests Physical examination to rule other existing conditions such as appendicitis Medical Management: Home care: Clear fluids are appropriate for the first 24 hours to maintain adequate hydration.

 They should be given oral rehydration solutions such as Pedialyte for pediatric patientsor commercially prepared oral rehydration solution. For homemade ORS, mix 2tablespoons of sugar (or honey) with teaspoon of table salt in 1 liter (1 qt) of clean or previously boiled water. After 24 hours without vomiting , begin to offer soft bland foods such as the BRAT diet,which includes bananas, rice, applesauce without sugar, toast, pasta, and potatoes.Hospitalization: Hydration through intravenous line. Replacement of fluid losses volume per volume. Encourage small, frequent feedings. Prevention: Always wash your hands before eating and after using the comfort room. Eat only properly cooked and stored food. Bleach soiled linens used. Have vaccinations for salmonella typhi, vibrio cholerae, and rotavirus. Patients ProfileClients Name: G. G Age: 59 y/o Birthday: April 24, 1951 Address: San Antonio Valley, Sucat Paraaque City Civil Status: Single Sex: Female Nationality: Filipin o Religion: Roman Catholic Informant: Patient Date of admission: January 17,2011 Chief complaint: Diarrhea Admitting diagnosis: AGE Attending physician: Dra. Palogan History of present illness: One week prior to admission, patient experienced on and off fever, and tookparacetamol for remedy to her fever.1 day prior to admission pt. had 15 episodes of loosewatery stool and several episodes of vomiting of previously ingested food so she decided to goto Olivarez General Hospital Emergency Room for prompt treatment. Upon admission her vitalsigns were as follows: B.P= 140/100 P.R= 72 RR=24 T= 36.7 Past Medical History:

The patient has hypertension and she was taking anti hypertensive medications to lower down her blood pressure. She had also an allergy to penicillin and atropine sulfate. Anatomy and physiology: Digestion is the process by which food is broken down into smaller pieces so thatthe bodycan use them to build and nourish cells and to provide energy. Digestion involves themixing of food, its movement through the digestive tract (also known as the alimentarycanal), and the chemical breakdown of larger molecules into smaller molecules. Everypiece of food we eat has to be broken down into smaller nutrients that the body canabsorb, which is why it takes hours to fully digest food.The digestive system is made up of the digestive tract. This consists of a longtube of organs that runs from the mouth to the anus and includes the esophagus,stomach, small intestine, and large intestine, together with the liver, gall bladder, andpancreas, which produce important secretions for digestion that drain into the smallintestine. The digestive tract in an adult is about 30 feet long.Mouth and Salivary Glands Digestion - begins in the mouth, where chemical andmechanical digestion occurs. Saliva or spit, produced by the salivary glands (locatedunder the tongue and near the lower jaw), is released into the mouth. Saliva begins tobreak down the food, moistening it and making it easier to swallow. A digestiveenzyme (called amylase) in the saliva begins to break downthe carbohydrates (starches and sugars). One of the most important functions of themouth is chewing. Chewing allows food to be mashed into a soft mass that is easier toswallow and digest later.Esophagus - Once food is swallowed, it enters the esophagus, a muscular tube that isabout10 inches long. The esophagus is located between the throat and the stomach.Muscular wavelike contractions known as peristalsis push the food down through theesophagus to the stomach. A muscular ring (called the cardiac sphincter) at the end of the esophagus allows food to enter the stomach, and, then, it squeezes shut to preventfood and fluid from going back up the esophagus.Stomach - a J-shaped organ that lies between the esophagus and the small intestine inthe upper abdomen. The stomach has 3 main functions: to store the swallowed foodand liquid; to mix up the food, liquid, and digestive juices produced by the stomach; andto slowly empty its contents into the small intestine.Small Intestine - Most digestion and absorption of food occurs in the small intestine. Thesmall intestine is a narrow, twisting tube that occupies most of the lower abdomenbetween the stomach and the beginning of the large intestine. It extends about 20 feetin length. The small intestine consists of 3 parts: the duodenum (the C-shaped part), thejejunum (the coiled midsection), and the ileum (the last section). The small intestine has 2 important functions. First, the digestive process is completed here by enzymes andother substances made by intestinal cells, the pancreas, and the liver. Glands in theintestine walls secrete enzymes that breakdown starches and sugars. The pancreassecretes enzymes into the small intestine that help breakdown carbohydrates, fats, andproteins. The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gall bladder. Bile helps to makefat molecules (which otherwise are not soluble in water) soluble, so they can beabsorbed by the body. Second, the small intestine absorbs the nutrients from thedigestive process. The inner wall of the small intestine is covered by millions of tinyfingerlike projections calledvilli. The villi are covered with even tinier projections calledmicrovilli. The combination of villi and microvilli increase the surface area of the smallintestine greatly, allowing absorption of nutrients to occur. Undigested material travelsnext to the large intestine.Large intestine - forms an upside down U over the coiled small intestine. It begins at thelower right-hand side of the body and ends on the lower left-hand side. The largeintestine is about 5-6 feet long. It has 3 parts: the cecum, the colon, and the rectum. Thececum is a pouch at the beginning of the large intestine. This area allows food to passfrom the small intestine to the large intestine. The colon is where fluids and salts areabsorbed and extends from the cecum to the rectum. The last part of the large intestineis the rectum, which is where feces (waste material) is stored before leaving the bodythrough the anus. The main job of the large intestine is to remove water and salts(electrolytes) from the undigested material and to form solid waste that can be excreted.Bacteria in the large intestine help to break down the undigested materials. Theremaining contents of the large intestine are moved toward the rectum, where feces arestored until they leave the body through the anus as a bowel movement.