Watch for warning signs of dehydration (lack of fluids; see “Symptoms – Complaints” for details).
Sufficient fluid intake!
Observance of general hygiene measures!
In the occurrence of fever:
Bed rest and physical rest (even with only a slight fever).
Fever below 38.5 °C does not necessarily need to be treated! (Exceptions: Children prone to febrile convulsions; old, weakened people; patients with a weakened immune system).
In case of fever from 39 ° C calf compresses can help to lower the temperature, which often leads to an improvement in the condition.
After the fever still a fever-free day of rest, if necessary longer (mainly bed rest and stay indoors).
Review of permanent medication due topossible effect on the existing disease.
Avoidance of psychosocial stress:
Acute and chronic stress
Avoidance of environmental stress:
Arsenic
Chromium
Bulbous mushroom poisoning or poisoning with other mushrooms.
Organophosphate insecticides
Mercury
Radiation damage
Environmental toxins such as ciguatera in seafood.
Nutritional medicine
Adherence to the following specific nutritional recommendations during illness:
Sufficient fluid intake! Since during the course of a febrile illness there is a strong loss of fluids, fluid intake in adults with kidney and hearthealth should be according to the following rule of thumb: for each degree of body temperature above 37 °C, an additional 0.5-1 liters per °C. Teas are best suited.
Adequate fluid and electrolyte replacement must be given in any case to compensate for the high water loss in diarrhea, regardless of body temperature (see previously). In the elderly and young children or infants, an electrolyte powder may need to be used to prevent further complications.
Oral rehydration for signs of dehydration (fluid deficiency; >3% weight loss): administration of oral rehydration solutions (ORL), which should be hypotonic, between meals (“tea breaks”) for mild to moderate dehydration. Infants and children who can be well rehydrated orally or even enterally should not receive intravenous therapy. Caution.
Prepare ORL with water and not together with other beverages [the procedure is independent of the type of dehydration (iso-, hypo- or hypertonic dehydration)].
For infants and children are not suitable cola drinks or homemade juice-sugar-salt-water mixed drinks.
In case of vomiting: as long as the vomiting continues, the consumption of any food should be avoided. However, the loss of fluids should be compensated absolutely. To do this, it is recommended to add liquids such as herbal teas (fennel, ginger, chamomile, peppermint and cumin tea) or water initially in small quantities, possibly by the spoonful. When vomiting has stopped, carbohydrate foods such as rusks, toast, and pretzel sticks are well tolerated at first. Meals should be small and eaten throughout the day. Stimulants should be avoided during vomiting and for a week afterwards.
In the context of diarrhea, a “tea rusk diet” (duration: three days, longer if necessary; as long as no other diseases speak against it) has proven itself.
After the acute gastrointestinal disease, a light full diet is recommended. Within the framework of this diet, the following foods and preparation methods should be avoided, as experience has shown that they often cause discomfort:
Voluminous and fatty meals
Legumes and vegetables such as white cabbage, kale, peppers, sauerkraut, leeks, onions, savoy cabbage, mushrooms.
Raw stone and pome fruit
Fresh bread, wholemeal bread
Hard boiled eggs
Carbonated drinks
Fried, breaded, smoked, very spicy or very sweet foods.
Too cold or too hot food
Diet rich in:
Vitamins (vitamin C) – Due to the fever may be deficient in vitamin C.In addition, vitamin C is important for the immune system. Foods rich in vitamin C are vegetables such as spinach and fruits (oranges, strawberries, kiwis, currants), which are also well tolerated during an infection.
