Understanding Stomach Flu

Nobody likes getting sick, especially when it’s the stomach flu: whether it causes a fever, nausea and/or vomiting, the chills, diarrhea, aches and pains, or some or all of the above, they add up to an awful feeling. While there is no cure for the stomach flu, the remedies below may help provide relief from this condition’s most difficult symptoms.

What Causes the Stomach Flu?

The stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, can be caused by a number of different viruses that attack your gastrointestinal system. These viruses can be contracted from food that was inadequately prepared or from coming into contact with an infected person, especially if you have bad hygiene. Certain bacteria can also cause gastroenteritis. People with the stomach flu often have symptoms of diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, fever, headache, and sore muscles. Depending on the type of infection you have, the flu can last from one to 10 days.

What you do when you are having stomach flu?

Drink the Right Fluids

Make sure you are drinking plenty of liquids! Fluids are critically important when you have the stomach flu. If you are having trouble keeping liquids down, try taking small sips at regular intervals or chew ice chips.

Drink a lot of water

Clear liquids, such as water and broth, are easy to absorb. Sports drinks contain electrolytes and to help during the stomach flu. the sport drink also contain sodium bicarbonate to absorb acids.

What Not To Drink: 

There’s no reason for caffeinated drinks like coffee, strong black tea, or soda. First, you need to sleep. Second, caffeine can irritate the gastrointestinal lining. Likewise, there’s no need for alcohol, which acts as a diuretic and could upset your stomach more.

Cut Caffeine

What to Eat:

These should be your go-to foods when it comes to an uneasy stomach. They’re easy to digest, contain a lot of carbohydrates to give you energy, and replenish nutrients lost through vomiting and diarrhea.

• Bananas:  easy to digest and can replace the potassium you lose from vomiting and diarrhea.
• Rice: easy to digest and provides energy from carbs.
• Applesauce: can provide an energy boost due to the carbs and sugars, and also contains pectin, which can help with diarrhea.
• Toast: Avoid using whole wheat bread, as fiber can be difficult on the digestive system. White bread is very processed and is easier to digest.

Good source of potassium

What Not to Eat: General food groups to avoid are dairy, fiber-heavy foods, and anything fatty or spicy.

• Dairy: Not everyone has a problem with milk when they have the stomach flu, but it could be hard to digest when your intestinal tract is already irritated.
• Fiber: Fiber can make an already sore gastrointestinal tract work hard, which can cause pain and discomfort.
• Fatty Foods: Avoid greasy and salty foods like bacon. These can increase nausea by keeping food in the stomach longer
• Spicy Foods: Avoid acidic foods like tomato sauce and spicy foods like curries and chili sauces. They can irritate an already irritated system and will certainly not feel good if you are not finished vomiting.

Resting 

If you have the stomach flu, your body needs rest in order to fight off the virus. You’ll need to get plenty of sleep and reduce the amount of activity you normally do during the day. This means lounging on the couch when you’re not in bed.

Resting well

Remember, you’re not being lazy — while you’re lying down, your body is working hard to fight off the virus and repair any damage on the cellular level.

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