Bacterial infection in intestines treatment

Intestinal bacterial infection is one of the most common problem in our digestive tract. The symptoms can be either acute or chronic. Although not necessarily harmful, an intestinal bacterial infection causes severe discomfort, especially in young children and the elderly, or people with very weak immune system. Therefore, it is important to seek for and employ proper treatments that will minimize the effects and prevent the illness to develop into more severe stage.

Performing treatments for bacterial infection in intestines

Bacterial infection can affect the stomach, small intestines, or the colon. Despite these affected areas, the major symptoms are always similar—abdominal pain or cramps, vomiting, or watery diarrhea. When the infesting bacteria affect the colon or rectum, you might experience rectum bleeding while going to the bathroom. Treatments are mostly effective during this initial infection stage. They are also important to minimize the risk of having more severe infection symptoms. In addition, you also need to avoid dehydration and reduce caused discomforts.

Effective treatments for intestinal bacterial infection

Manage the diarrhea

You are said to suffer from diarrhea if you notice the passage of loose or watery stool. The longer you are suffering from this, the higher your risk of having dehydration. Extreme diarrhea may not only lead to dehydration, but also may trigger malnutrition if staying for prolonged period.

To manage diarrhea, there are some treatments that may ease the problem, such as:

• Drink water sufficiently to replace any fluids coming out of your body. Eight to ten glasses of water is advised.
• If you are very weak after a bowel movement, replace the fluid with sugar-salt solution.
• Big meals will likely to trigger bowel movement, so that it is advised to have several small meals throughout the day. Eat foods with minimal seasoning and chew it well.
• Sports drinks can help you replacing excreted minerals and body fluids.
• Avoid fruits and vegetables that may cause gas, such as broccoli and green leafy vegetables.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol, and limit your consumption of milk during the diarrhea.

Minimizing bloating, nausea, and vomiting

An intestinal bacterial infection is also signed by severe vomiting. It might not be easy to hold the urge to vomit, but some things can be done to minimize this problem during the infection.

• Drink sports drinks, fruit juices, and water to replace your lost minerals and fluids.
• Avoid foods with sharp aroma and stir away from places with odors.
• Consume probiotics or yoghurt that will reduce nausea.
• Replace your solid foods with porridge, pudding, or soups.
• Take anti-nausea medications if needed.

Getting enough rest

Resting is essential in improving bacterial-infected intestines. This will give your body, especially the digestive tract a chance to restore its condition. If you experience extreme nausea and vomiting, limit lying down and instead, sit down to prevent the sensation from coming repeatedly.

Using home remedies

There are some home remedies which are effective in killing bacteria infesting your intestines. Some herbal remedies can even minimize the nausea and abdominal discomfort. Try boiling two glasses of water and a finger-sized ginger and drink it to improve the effects.

When to seek for medical treatments

In many cases, intestinal bacterial infections can be healed at home using home remedies and rest. However, there are some conditions to be concerned about, since they might give a signal that you are requiring professional medical helps. Late treatments may lead to more severe sickness, which threatens your life. Immediately see a doctor if you see these signs:

• Blood or pus in your stool, or stool with very dark color. This might signify terrible infection in your upper digestive tract.
• Bad throbbing pain while having bowel movement. You definitely need a doctor’s help if the pain does not go even after the bowel movement.
• Symptoms of severe dehydration—extreme fatigue, dizziness, continuous thirst, light-headedness.
• Raising fever that is accompanied by continuing diarrhea. Fever above 101 degree F should be anticipated.
• Vomit more than three times a day, which is also accompanied with severe pain and discomfort. Vomit you experience right after meals is also a signal for a doctor’s help.