Fever & Gastrointestinal

Fever

Fever is an elevated body temperature due to illness. It is the body's way of defending itself from bacterial or viral infections. A mild fever is typically a temperature of 99 degrees F or above and a high fever is a temperature of at least 102 degrees F. When experiencing a fever, it is essential to increase your intake of fluids to prevent dehydration. While the majority of fevers in adults do not indicate a serious ailment, in some cases it is important to seek medical attention. Visit your doctor if your fever reaches more than 103 degrees F, does not subside after 48 hours, is recurring for at least one week or you have an underlying health condition.

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms that may be caused by a number of conditions. Some of these conditions include acute gastritis, signals from the brain, reaction from medication, obstruction of the bowel or another unrelated illness.
Acute gastritis is the most common cause of nausea and vomiting and is characterized by an inflammation of the stomach. Inflammation can be caused by an infection, stomach flu, food poisoning, peptic ulcer disease or other stomach irritants.
Relieving nausea and vomiting is usually done by treating the underlying cause of the symptoms. Resting the stomach by only consuming clear liquids can help ease the stomach back to a healthy state.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea involves having bowel movements that are watery and loose at least three times in a day. It may also cause a sense of urgency, cramps and stomach upset. Diarrhea can be brought on by bacteria, parasites, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, medication or food intolerances. In most cases, diarrhea is not a long-lasting or serious condition. However, if it lingers for more than three days, is accompanied by a fever or severe abdominal pain or you notice blood in your stool, it is important to visit your doctor for an examination.

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