Look out for gastroenteritis in summer!
Learn what to do with digestive problems and how to avoid them.
One of the most frequent digestive problems in summer is diarrhoea. It is an infectious process which varies in duration and is very bothersome.
The most common causes of these problems are infections from a virus or bacteria and poisoning from badly preserved food.
In most cases, it does not last more than three or four days, but the evolution depends on many factors such as your prior state of health, hydration, diet and age (the elderly and babies are the most vulnerable).
What to do to get over these events as quickly and easily as possible?
- Hydrate yourself. Drink water, on its own or with lemon juice or isotonic beverages. Take small sips and make sure it’s not cold.
- Follow an astringent diet: Rice, potato and carrot purée, grated apple or puréed apple, toast and tea. On the first day, follow a strict diet, that is, do not eat anything solid and only drink liquids.
- Do not take any drugs without your doctor’s consent. It could make things worse.
- Do not take any food that could speed up transit, such as fruit, vegetables and greasy foods.
What can you do to look after your intestinal flora in the future?
- Take probiotic foods and food with bifidus frequently, such as yoghourts, at least once a day to keep the good bacteria in your intestine.
- Follow a diet rich in vegetables and fruit, with fibre and enough liquids to maintain the balance in your intestinal transit.
- Do not take drugs without a prescription and avoid taking too much medicine.
What to do to prevent the same thing happening again?
- Wash your hands thoroughly. If you touch raw food or any object that could be dirty or taken from the ground, wash your hands with soap and water.
- Keep food in closed containers and do not break the cold chain.
- If you are going away, only drink bottled water and cooked
Above all, take special care if the elderly or very young in your family suffer from diarrhoea and make sure they are properly hydrated. They are more delicate and it affects them to a greater extent.