Stomach flu, medically known as gastroenteritis, can cause uncomfortable symptoms like gas and bloating. This common illness affects the digestive system, leading to various forms of discomfort. Understanding how stomach flu impacts the body can explain why these symptoms develop.
What is Stomach Flu?
Stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, involves an infection and inflammation of the stomach and intestinal lining. While commonly called “stomach flu,” it is distinct from influenza, which primarily affects the respiratory system. This condition is frequently caused by viruses, such as norovirus or rotavirus, though bacteria or parasites can also be responsible. Symptoms typically appear suddenly and can include watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. A low-grade fever, fatigue, and body aches may also accompany these digestive issues.
How Stomach Flu Causes Gas
Gastroenteritis can lead to increased gas and bloating through several physiological mechanisms. The inflammation of the intestinal lining, a hallmark of stomach flu, can disrupt the normal digestive process. This irritation affects the intestine’s ability to properly absorb nutrients. When carbohydrates and other food components are not fully absorbed in the small intestine, they travel to the colon where gut bacteria ferment them, producing gas.
The balance of gut bacteria, known as the gut microbiota, can also be temporarily altered during a stomach flu infection. This disruption can lead to an overgrowth of certain bacteria or a shift in bacterial activity, contributing to increased gas production. Additionally, symptoms like nausea and vomiting can cause individuals to swallow more air than usual. This swallowed air can accumulate in the digestive tract, resulting in bloating.
Relieving Gas and Other Symptoms
Managing gas and other symptoms of stomach flu often involves supportive home care strategies. Adjusting dietary intake is important, typically favoring bland, easy-to-digest foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, often referred to as the BRAT diet. Avoid foods known to produce gas, like beans, cruciferous vegetables, and sugary drinks. Some individuals may find temporary relief by limiting dairy products, as lactose intolerance can sometimes develop or worsen during gastroenteritis.
Staying well-hydrated is important to replace fluids and electrolytes lost through vomiting and diarrhea. Sipping small amounts of clear liquids, such as water, clear broths, or oral rehydration solutions, can help prevent dehydration. Allowing ample rest supports the recovery process and helps conserve energy. Over-the-counter remedies like simethicone may help break up gas bubbles, though their effectiveness can vary. Certain herbal teas, such as ginger or chamomile, might offer comfort for nausea and stomach upset.
When to Talk to a Doctor
While most cases of stomach flu resolve on their own, certain symptoms warrant medical attention. Seek medical attention for signs of severe dehydration, such as excessive thirst, dry mouth, decreased urination, or dizziness. A high fever, particularly above 102°F (38.9°C) in children or 104°F (40°C) in adults, also warrants medical attention. Persistent vomiting that prevents keeping liquids down for 24 hours, or diarrhea lasting more than two to three days, require attention.
Other symptoms include severe abdominal pain, bloody or black stools, or green vomit. Individuals who are very young, elderly, or have weakened immune systems are more susceptible to complications and should seek prompt medical advice if they experience stomach flu symptoms. This information is intended for general guidance and does not replace professional medical advice.