Gastroenteritis is an infection that affects the digestive system, mainly in the small intestine region. Usually, a crisis lasts from 2 to 5 days.

The condition can be triggered by the presence of bacteria, such as Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter, found in contaminated food.

Certain medications, parasites, or health conditions can also cause symptoms considered gastroenteritis.

However, most cases occur through viral infection. Rotavirus is the main triggering agent of gastroenteritis, but there are many others that can cause the condition.

Learn more about gastroenteritis and how it differs from gastritis:

Gastroenteritis and gastritis: main differences

Location

Gastritis is an inflammation that appears in the lining of the stomach, which can be acute or chronic.

Gastroenteritis, on the other hand, is an infection of the gastrointestinal tract, which may include the stomach but usually manifests in the intestine.

Symptoms

The main symptom of gastroenteritis is diarrhea, which may be accompanied by vomiting, while gastritis causes pain and a burning sensation in the stomach, more specifically in the upper abdomen.

Severity

Gastroenteritis, when caused by amoebas or viral agents, has a much worse prognosis compared to gastritis, and can cause severe dehydration processes.

Symptoms of gastroenteritis

The main symptoms of gastroenteritis are:

• Diarrhea;
• Nausea;
• Loss of appetite;
• Vomiting;
• Chills;
• Tiredness;
• Stomach pains;
• Muscle pains.

How gastroenteritis is diagnosed

The diagnosis is usually clinical, and occasionally some laboratory or stool tests are necessary.

Possible treatments for gastroenteritis

The use of medications to stop diarrhea and antibiotics can only be prescribed by a doctor, otherwise, there is a risk of worsening the infection.

Furthermore, treatment for gastroenteritis involves a lot of rest, fluid intake, and light eating, mostly consisting of soups, broths, porridges, and other less solid preparations.

Regarding fluids, it is advisable to prefer clear ones, such as some teas, non-acidic juices, and water. When in doubt, water should be the priority during the patient’s recovery.

In case of dehydration, it is advisable to consume sports drinks to replace sodium, potassium, and lost minerals. It is necessary to check with the doctor the ideal amount of isotonic drink to be consumed per day.

Focus on diet

To recover from an episode of gastroenteritis, it is essential to avoid caffeine, such as black tea or coffee, as well as acidic juices, such as orange and lemon.

It is also advisable to avoid spicy, fatty foods, and sugar.

Dairy products in general should be avoided until the total disappearance of symptoms (three days after the diarrhea stops).

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Gastritis is caused by inflammation of the stomach’s inner lining. The main symptoms are intense pain, burning, and heartburn. However, vomiting and nausea can also occur.

Learn what causes gastritis, how it is diagnosed and treated, and how you can prevent and take care of yourself (if you are already having an acute crisis).

Causes of gastritis

There are several causes that can lead to stomach inflammation. Gastritis results from an injury to the mucosa or an infection, whose main motivations are:

• Excessive alcohol consumption;
• An infectious condition caused by the H. pylori bacteria;
• The recurrent use of anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, and ketoprofen, which are widely used in the treatment of pain and inflammation in other parts of the body.

How is the diagnosis and treatment carried out?

Diagnosis

Through a clinical examination and conversations with the patient, the doctor can make an early diagnosis of gastritis.

However, the definitive diagnosis occurs after performing an upper digestive endoscopy, in which a flexible tube (the endoscope) is inserted through the mouth, allowing the visualization of the gastric mucosa.

Treatment

A case of gastritis tends to improve as soon as the cause is suppressed, whether by discontinuing medications and alcoholic beverages or by combating the infection caused by the H. pylori bacteria.

Generally, the doctor advises the use of certain medications to promote gastric emptying and reduce acid production.

Prevention: the best form of combat

Preventing gastritis is the best way to not develop the disease. There are some important pieces of information that the patient should know about the subject:

• Chew your food very well, so that it reaches the stomach in the best possible way;
• Try to maintain meal times and eat calmly, without rushing;
• Prefer to have small meals throughout the day, avoiding long fasting periods;
• Do not smoke and avoid excessive alcohol consumption;
• Consume lean meats, vegetables, and fruits;
• Avoid coffees and drinks containing caffeine, as well as the unrestrained use of anti-inflammatories;
• Seek medical follow-up and consult a professional if you feel heartburn, a sensation of a full stomach, or poor digestion.

Recommendations on how to take care in case of a gastritis crisis

If you are already suffering from gastritis, there are some guidelines that the EndoBlog team has listed to help reduce pain and inflammation:

• Do not drink alcohol during the crisis;
• Avoid acidic and spicy foods;
• Eliminate the consumption of coffee or only drink decaffeinated while in a gastritis crisis;
• Prefer light foods, such as cooked vegetables, simple pastas, soups, and broths, until the symptoms decrease;
• Do not take medications like aspirin and diclofenac. In this case, paracetamol is a more recommended option if it is necessary to use some pain relief medication.

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Flatulence is the name given to the passage of gases from the intestine through the rectum.

It is important to note that all people pass gas and air throughout the day. An adult, for example, passes gas 8 to 20 times a day, often without even noticing the movement.

The act only becomes problematic when it occurs excessively frequently or causes pain.

Causes of excessive flatulence

As mentioned, people generally pass gas without noticing, and a case is only considered abnormal when it causes physical discomfort or occurs frequently enough to cause social embarrassment.

Excessive flatulence can have more than one cause and is most often related to very specific habits, such as:

• Eating foods that cause gas, such as cabbage, beans, dairy, eggs, broccoli, sweets, potatoes, and lentils;
• Taking protein supplements;
• Swallowing air while eating;
• Consuming large amounts of food at once;
• Chewing too quickly or with an open mouth, swallowing a lot of air;
• Being sedentary.

In addition, there are intestinal conditions, such as diarrhea, constipation, and malabsorption, that can also cause excessive flatulence.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptoms of excessive flatulence are: a sensation of frequent passage of gases out of the rectum and abdominal discomforts caused by the accumulation of these gases in the belly.

How is excessive flatulence diagnosed and treated?

Anyone who feels an abnormal frequency in the elimination of gases can seek a gastroenterologist to perform some clinical or blood tests and thus reach a diagnosis.

However, there is no reason to worry. Excessive flatulence does not indicate the presence of serious problems in the body nor does it require aggressive treatments. Initially, the doctor should identify the cause of the problem to then indicate what the patient needs to incorporate into their routine to avoid the accumulation of gases.

If excessive flatulence is being caused by diet, for example, it will be necessary to identify which foods are increasing gas production and avoid consuming them.

It is also advisable to perform tests, such as going periods without consuming gluten and lactose, to observe how the body behaves.

Recommendations and prevention

To prevent possible excessive flatulence crises, one should keep an eye on their diet. There are some habits that can be adopted to mitigate the problem. These include:

• Reducing the consumption of peas, lentils, beans, soy, and grains in general, as they tend to cause gases;
• Avoid talking too much during meals so that the amount of air ingested is not so high;
• Eating meals calmly, that is, chewing food well. Incorrect, hurried chewing without due attention hinders digestion, so the food stays longer than ideal in the intestine and causes gases;
• Consuming foods rich in fiber (oats, fruits, and vegetables) and drinking plenty of fluids to help intestinal transit;
• Being aware of the excessive consumption of foods that may be associated with the formation of gases in some people, such as flour, sweet potatoes, radishes, onions, eggplants, celery, and wheat germ.

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Fatty liver disease is a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation of fat in the liver. Understand the disease and learn about the treatment.

It is normal for the liver to accumulate some fat, however, if the amount is large, it means that the patient has a “fatty liver”.

As it usually does not show symptoms in the early stages, it is important to be vigilant and undergo routine checkup exams.

What causes fatty liver disease?

There are two classifications for fatty liver disease: alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The alcoholic is caused by excessive alcohol consumption, while the non-alcoholic can derive from:

• Sedentary lifestyle;
• Overweight;
• Surgeries;
• Diabetes;
• Pregnancy;
• Sudden weight loss;

Fatty liver disease can occur in children in the first years of life, in the presence of metabolic diseases. In the case of older children and adolescents, the causes are similar to those of adults.

Symptoms

It is important to emphasize that fatty liver disease usually does not cause symptoms or apparent problems. In exams, there may be elevations of liver enzymes, a condition called fatty liver hepatitis (steatohepatitis).

Moreover, the first symptoms only begin to appear when there is constant liver damage, causing a serious condition such as cirrhosis.

How is fatty liver disease diagnosed?

Especially in the case of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the diagnosis is made by abdominal ultrasound examination.

When some alteration is identified, the doctor requests other exams, to measure the levels of liver enzymes and draw the final diagnosis.

What is the treatment for fatty liver disease?

Basically, the treatment for fatty liver disease involves changes in the patient’s routine, with a healthier diet, regular physical exercise, and reduced alcohol consumption.

In most cases, it is necessary to lose weight and control other possible diseases that may arise due to the excess fat in the liver.

Furthermore, there are no specific medications that treat fatty liver disease, but the doctor responsible for the case may recommend that the patient receive a hepatitis B vaccine just to mitigate the onset of another liver disease.

How to prevent?

There are some measures to be taken to prevent excess fat in the liver and/or assist in the treatment of fatty liver disease. The main ones involve:

• Engaging in regular physical activities;
• Reducing the intake of fat, especially of animal origin;
• Avoiding alcoholic beverages;
• Consuming carbohydrates more balanced, preferring whole grains;
• Including fiber-rich foods in the diet;
• Promoting the control of body weight, which should be done with the guidance of a nutritionist.

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Reflux esophagitis is a condition caused by the inflammatory process of the esophagus, the tube responsible for transporting food from the throat to the stomach.

This inflammatory process causes pain and/or burning, making the patient feel a kind of heat in the chest, commonly located on the inner part of the sternum.

If not treated properly, reflux esophagitis can cause significant changes in the cells of the inner wall of the esophagus, leading to a more serious condition called Barrett’s esophagus.

What are the main causes of reflux esophagitis?

Reflux esophagitis usually manifests as the sensation of stomach acid rising up the esophagus.

There is a muscle, called the sphincter, around the end of the esophagus. It opens to allow food to pass and remains closed to prevent the contents present in the stomach from returning to the esophagus.

This ring of muscle, when it cannot stay closed as long as necessary or opens and closes too frequently, ends up allowing stomach acid and part of the food to rise up the esophagus. This movement is popularly known as reflux.

As the esophagus is not prepared to receive stomach acid, it ends up suffering irritations and inflammation (esophagitis), causing pain and discomfort.

The main conditions that predispose this sphincter’s efficiency failure are:

• eating abundantly during meals or eating close to bedtime;
• lying down right after eating;
• excess weight;
• pregnancy;
• hiatal hernia, a condition in which part of the stomach “rises” through the diaphragm and enters the chest;
• the need for a nasogastric tube, where a tube passes through the nose and goes to the stomach to transport medications and other substances;
• frequent vomiting.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptoms of reflux esophagitis are:

• constant heartburn and burning, which can worsen after main meals;
• reflux of a bitter and salty liquid into the throat;
• a bitter taste in the mouth;
• sore throat;
• chest pain;
• hoarseness.

How is reflux esophagitis treated?

The first step is to diagnose reflux esophagitis. In this case, the responsible doctor takes into account the patient’s history, clinical evaluation, and test results.

The main tests to assess esophagitis are:

• upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, to visualize the mucosa of the esophagus, stomach, and part of the small intestine;
• pH monitoring, to measure the amount of stomach acid that rises up the esophagus over 24 hours and see the relationship with symptoms presented.

The treatment, in turn, intrinsically depends on what is observed during the diagnosis. In general, esophagitis is a curable disease, but it is essential that the patient follows all the doctor’s instructions.

It is necessary to resort to certain medications prescribed by the doctor, in addition to promoting lifestyle changes.

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An ileostomy is a type of ostomy performed to create a connection between the small intestine and the abdominal wall, allowing feces and gases to be directly eliminated into a pouch.

It is a procedure occasionally performed when the intestine is affected by diseases that require surgery so that feces do not pass through the large intestine.

Learn when ileostomy is necessary and what the main care is after this procedure.

When is ileostomy necessary?

Ileostomy is an ostomy that receives the prefix “ileo” because it is performed at the end of the small intestine.

In the procedure, a doctor makes an opening in the abdominal wall so that the body can eliminate feces without passing through the large intestine.

A patient may need an ileostomy in the following cases:

• Intestinal obstruction;
• Colon cancer;
• Abdominal trauma with emergency surgery;
• Severe inflammatory bowel disease.

What are the care with ileostomy?

It is essential that the patient receives guidance and counseling prior to the procedure, aiming to reduce future complications.

The healthcare professional should discuss important aspects, such as the costs involved in maintaining an ileostomy, sexual life, patient acceptance, and family support.

Furthermore, the doctor responsible for the surgery needs to deliver a plan presenting everything that must be done after hospital discharge, how the patient’s rehabilitation is done, and what the next steps will be. All so that the patient can have health and manage anxiety.

With ileostomy, feces become more acidic and more liquid, because they only travel through the small intestine, contributing to skin irritation. For this reason, continuously emptying the collection bag is essential.

In addition, care with ileostomy involves:

• Removing the bag and cleaning the skin whenever you feel any discomfort or itching;
• Applying medications directed by the doctor, such as barrier spray, to protect the skin and keep it healthy;
• Avoiding the bag filling up to full capacity;
• If it is necessary to dispose of feces, it is important to clean the inside of the bag with a little water;
• Not wearing tight clothes over the stoma and bag;
• Being aware of the durability of the bag, informed by the manufacturer;
• Testing bag models to find out which will be better.

What should the diet be like after this procedure?

After the ileostomy procedure, it is very important to maintain a healthy diet and follow the doctor’s instructions.

Very high-fiber foods, for example, should be avoided in the first 6 to 8 weeks to prevent obstructions. In general, the main instructions are:

• Drinking plenty of water and fluids in general;
• Chewing food very well.

Furthermore, it is advisable to limit the consumption of certain foods, such as:

• Pineapple;
• Skins of fruits and vegetables;
• Nuts and seeds;
• Coconut;
• Mushrooms;
• Peas;
• Popcorn;
• Green salads;
• Raisins, prunes, and dried fruits;
• Vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts.

Important: the restriction is temporary, and the patient can gradually reintroduce these foods, as directed by the doctor.

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Severe or morbid obesity is extremely dangerous to physical and mental health, therefore gastric reduction surgery is an option for people in this situation who have not had results even with various health treatment implementations.

The surgery can be called metabolic, since the organs involved in the procedure produce hormones, and the surgical alteration causes a hormonal balance, benefiting the obese patient in weight loss and in the control of diseases such as diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hyperuricemia, and even hypertension (part of the plurimetabolic syndrome).

What are the types of bariatric surgery?

The types of bariatric surgery differ by their mechanism of action. Basically, they are categorized into:

Restrictive

This type of bariatric surgery is capable of reducing the amount of food that the stomach can hold. As a result, the patient feels satiated much faster and restricts the amount of food to be ingested.

It is the case of vertical sleeve gastrectomy, also known as Sleeve.

Mixed techniques (restrictive and malabsorptive)

Both techniques, when combined, also significantly decrease the amount of food that the stomach can hold. In addition, the stomach itself is reduced in size, as a short bypass of the intestine is performed during surgery.

It is known as gastric bypass surgery or Fobi-Capella surgery.

When to undergo this type of surgery?

To undergo the surgery, it is necessary:

• to have severe obesity, that is, to have a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40;
• to have obesity with a BMI of 35 and diseases associated with obesity, such as diabetes;
• not to have severe psychopathological diseases, such as depression or alcoholism, to the point of being self-destructive;
• not to have problems with the heart, liver, kidney, or any other more serious disease.

Another important point is that, to undergo obesity surgery, the BMI must have been stable for 2 years, and the patient must have tried clinical treatments, such as diets, physical activities, and a complete change in lifestyle.

Main benefits of bariatric and metabolic surgery

Weight loss is the great benefit of undergoing bariatric and metabolic surgery. With it, other underlying benefits arise, such as the prevention of serious health problems. This includes heart diseases and diabetes.

In addition, other diseases that can be prevented after surgery include:

• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);
• sleep apnea;
• polycystic ovary syndrome;
• joint pain;
• gout;
• heart diseases and their risk factors, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

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A colostomy is a procedure performed to connect part of the large intestine to the abdominal wall. The main goal is to allow the exit of feces directly into a bag in situations where natural evacuation is impeded.

The procedure is generally indicated after intestinal surgeries or when there are more serious health problems, such as cancer or complicated diverticulitis, and the fecal transit needs to be diverted.

In most cases, the colostomy is temporary, and the person remains with the bag long enough for the anal region and/or intestine to recover from some surgery.

On the other hand, some colostomies are permanent, especially when it was necessary to remove a large part of the intestine.

When is a colostomy indicated?

There are various situations in which a colostomy may be necessary. Basically, any condition that prevents the patient from evacuating naturally requires the procedure. Among the main causes, it is possible to mention:

• imperforate anus (nonexistent or blocked anal opening);
• partial or total intestinal blockage;
• colorectal cancer;
• fistulas or wounds in the perineum;
• severe inflammation in the colon;
• traumatic injury to the rectum or colon;

What are the types of colostomy?

The types of colostomy are:

Transverse Colostomy

• Performed on the transverse colon;
• The feces are semi-liquid and can cause skin irritation around the ostomy;
• It is usually temporary.

Ascending Colostomy

• Named so because it is done on the ascending colon;
• It is a less common type of ostomy;
• The patient continues to evacuate liquid or semi-liquid feces, which can lead to skin irritation.

Descending Colostomy

• Named so because it occurs in the descending colon;
• The feces are considered semi-formed and cause less irritation when in contact with the skin;
• It is the most common type of colostomy.

Sigmoid Colostomy

• Performed in the lower abdomen, where the large intestine is already approaching the rectum;
• The evacuated feces are considered formed and do not irritate the skin around the ostomy.

What are the benefits and risks?

Benefits

The main benefits involve enabling the evacuation of feces and allowing the patient to lead a normal life, carrying out all their daily activities.

Risks

There are some complications that can occur after the procedure, most of them at the site where the stoma is opened. In most cases, these complications involve:

• dermatitis;
• stenosis;
• hernia;
• infection around the stoma;
• necrosis;
• prolapse;
• retraction;
• bleeding.

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Bowel cancer (or colorectal) is one of the deadliest in Brazil, second only to breast and prostate cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute (Inca). It affects more than 40,000 Brazilians per year, with an estimate that mortality due to the disease will increase by 2025.

For these reasons, it is important to be aware of the factors that contribute to the prevention of bowel cancer and also to the examination to screen it. See some tips below.

What is bowel cancer?

Most tumors are generated from polyps, benign lesions that can grow on the inner wall of the large intestine. Symptoms of bowel cancer generally involve: rectal bleeding, dark-colored stools, constipation, frequent diarrhea, foul-smelling flatulence, mucus in the stools, feeling of wanting to evacuate frequently, among others.

When detected early, it is treatable, especially if it has not spread to other organs. Early diagnosis can enable a better form of treatment. If not treated, cancer can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Generally, a colonoscopy exam is advised, which allows looking inside the rectum and colon.

But what can be done for the prevention of bowel cancer?

Physical activity

In addition to combating obesity, which is associated with various pathologies, regular physical exercise can protect the body from bowel cancer by decreasing insulin resistance (which stimulates cell growth, including cancerous cells) and releasing endorphins (a hormone that strengthens the immune system).

Diet rich in fibers, fruits, and vegetables

Fibers and fluid intake contribute to intestinal transit and are less aggressive to the cells of the intestinal mucosa. This reduces the risk of cancer in the intestine. Therefore, it is important to adopt a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in fats and processed meats, as they increase the risk of cancer, in addition to contributing to insulin resistance and obesity.

Periodic colonoscopy examination

As already mentioned, when diagnosed early, bowel cancer is treatable. For this, it is important to screen for polyps, which can be removed before they even become bowel cancer.

The best form of bowel cancer prevention is early discovery, which can be done through periodic colonoscopy, especially for people over 45 years of age.

All people should start screening at the age of 50, even without symptoms. If you have parents or siblings who had colon cancer, especially before they were 50 years old, you may have a higher risk of polyps or cancer. In this case, your doctor may want to start screening before you turn 50.

Other factors

For the prevention of bowel cancer, a healthy lifestyle is necessary. Therefore, other factors should be avoided, such as:

• obesity;
• alcoholic beverages;
• smoking.

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Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, ranks second in the most common tumors among women and third among men.

Data from the National Cancer Institute (Inca) show that bowel cancer affects more than 40,000 people every year in Brazil. Due to the aging population, this rate is expected to increase until 2025.

Another concerning factor relates to the diagnosis of the disease. In 85% of cases, colorectal cancer is diagnosed in an advanced stage, when the chances of cure are reduced, making prevention crucial for treatment.

Understand the causes of the disease, the symptoms, and see how to prevent it:

What causes bowel cancer

Bowel cancer arises from the abnormal growth of cells in the rectum or colon. This growth leads to what is understood as a malignant tumor.

Most bowel cancers begin with the emergence of a type of polyp, also known as an adenomatous polyp, that is, an extra tissue growth located on the inner mucosa of the intestine.

Important: bowel cancer is more common in countries where the diet is low in fiber and high in fat, where obesity is more prevalent among the population, and the practice of physical exercise is not regular.

There is no confirmation that the combination of diet, obesity, and sedentarism increases the chances of developing bowel cancer, but it has been observed that it has been developing more in people of all ages (and not just among the elderly).

Risk factors:

• Tobacco smoking;
• Family history of colorectal cancer;
• Presence of adenomatous colorectal polyps;
• Being over 50 years old;
• Diagnosis of inflammatory diseases, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease;
• Diet low in fiber or high in fats.

Symptoms of bowel cancer

In its initial stage, the disease may not present symptoms. In more advanced stages, some signs may include:

• diarrhea or constipation;
• stools that are narrower than usual;
• blood in the stool;
• feeling that the bowel does not empty completely even after a bowel movement;
• unexplained weight loss.

Prevention of bowel cancer

Bowel cancer is highly curable, but early diagnosis is necessary, which can be done through exams, such as colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy is an examination that assesses the current situation of the intestine, being able to identify changes, polyps, tumors, and other diseases.

It is recommended that all people over 50 years old (even without symptoms) undergo this examination. For people with a family history of cancer, polyps, or other intestinal diseases, the exam may need to be done before the age of 50.

Important: early diagnosis of bowel cancer is crucial for the treatment and cure of the disease. If not treated, cancer can spread through the wall of the intestine, reaching the lymph nodes or the bloodstream, moving to other parts of the body.

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