Watch for warning signs of dehydration (lack of fluids; see “Symptoms – Complaints” for details)Note: 57% of children with acute gastroenteritis with rotavirus under age 15 are hospitalized.
Attendance at community facilities: It is recommended that children with acute infectious gastroenteritis stay away from these until 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhea or vomiting.
Limited alcohol consumption (men: max. 25 g of alcohol per day; women: max. 12 g of alcohol per day).
Aim for normal weight!Determination of BMI (body mass index, body mass index) or body composition by means of electrical impedance analysis and, if necessary, participation in a medically supervised program for underweight.
Falling below the BMI lower limit (from the age of 19: 19; from the age of 25: 20; from the age of 35: 21; from the age of 45: 22; from the age of 55: 23; from the age of 65: 24) → Participation in a medically supervised program for the underweight.
Review of permanent medication due topossible effect on the existing disease.
Avoidance of environmental stress:
Mercury and lead – fish, especially tuna, seafood and canned foods are contaminated foods.
Regular checkups
Regular medical checkups
Nutritional medicine
Priority must be given to adequate fluid and electrolyte replacement to compensate for the high water loss in gastroenteritis. In the elderly and infants or young children, an electrolyte powder may need to be used to prevent further complications.
Symptomatic therapy incl. fluid replacement – oral rehydration (replenishment with water) in case of signs of dehydration (> 3% weight loss): administration of oral rehydration solutions (ORL), which should be hypotonic, between meals (“tea breaks”) in case of mild to moderate dehydration; if necessary, also inpatient intravenous rehydration therapy (e.g., in case of shock, severe dehydration).
In children two years and older with mild gastroenteritis and minor dehydration (fluid deficiency; Clinical Dehydration Scale < 5 and recapillarization time < 2 seconds), a 1: 1 mix of apple juice and water is appropriate: Significantly fewer children in the diluted apple juice group experienced treatment failure within seven days: 16.7% versus 25.0% (in the electrolyte solution group).
In infants and young children, home remedies such as tea, early apple juice and cola are not suitable for rehydration because of their composition! Suitable is an oral rehydration therapy with hyperosmolar (< 270 mOsm/L) oral rehydration solution based on glucose or starch.
If oral delivery of the rehydration solution is not possible, continuous nasogastric probing (nasogastric tube) is recommended.
See also under:
“Diet structure after gastroenteritis (gastrointestinal infection)”.
“Therapy with micronutrients (vital substances)” – taking a suitable dietary supplement.
