Many Causes of Gastroenteritis Stomach and Intestinal Inflammation, Stomach Flu Causes

Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of your stomach and intestines. Very often complained of as having a stomach flu. Gastritis means only your stomach lining is inflamed.

Gastroenteritis is most often caused by a viral infection.  Yet, stomach and intestinal inflammation may be caused by a bacteria, parasite or an adverse reaction to medication or something you ate.

If an organism is causing your stomach flu type symptoms, then diarrhea almost always results. Watery stool is you body’s defense mechanism to flush the infectious disease invader out of your system.

Many types of viruses can cause gastroenteritis. Some prevalent ones are:

These viruses are present in contaminated food and drinking water.

Viral gastroenteritis is highly contagious. And spreading of stomach flu causing viruses can be reduced by hand washing.

Many different types of bacteria can cause bacterial gastroenteritis, like:

Risk factors for contracting bacterial caused stomach flu inflammation are eating contaminated or improperly prepared food, drinking contaminated water and hanging around in areas with sanitation issues.

A parasite, which spreads easily via contaminated water and contact, is another culprit for causing infections in your stomach and intestines. Giardia and cryptosporidium are common instigators for parasitic caused gastroenteritis.

Consumption of arsenic, lead, mercury or cadmium can cause stomach and intestinal inflammation.  And eating too much acidic foods may cause some to experience gastroenteritis.

Dehydration is a serious complication of gastroenteritis. Extreme cases can be fatal.

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