If you have the stomach flu, you may want to consider treating it before calling our home GP in Marbella. Here we list 5 remedies you can try and when to call our home GP for stomach flu in Marbella.
1. To lessen nausea, try acupressure.
Nausea can be treated with acupressure. To locate pressure point P-6, measure the distance across your palm that is equal to the width of your third finger from the base of your palm.
If you press with your thumb below that width, you'll feel a sensitive spot between two tendons. Applying pressure with your thumb, massage the area for about two or three minutes.
2. Get an adequate amount of sleep.
When you have the stomach flu, your body requires rest in order to fight off the infection and recover from the illness. Rest thoroughly and cut back on the amount of physical activity you would normally engage in during the day. This entails lazing about on the sofa whenever you are not in the bedroom.
During the time that you are sleeping, your body is working diligently to rid itself of the infection and to repair the damage on a cellular level.
3. Use medications with extreme caution.
When a virus is to blame for an illness, there is no medication that can treat the stomach flu, nor will antibiotics help in any way.
To alleviate the symptoms, you can try taking over-the-counter medication, but you should only do so as needed. Our home GP for stomach flu in Marbella will give you the right medication for your specific condition.
4. Make sure you get plenty of fluids.
Sweating, vomiting, and diarrhoea deplete your body's fluids, making fluids vital. If you're having trouble drinking, take small sips or chew ice chips. The best fluids are:
- water and broth
- OTC medications
- sports drinks for electrolyte replacement (for older children and adults).
- Ginger and peppermint teas can calm your stomach and relieve nausea (avoid caffeinated teas).
What not to drink
Avoid these during a stomach flu:
- caffeinated drinks like strong black tea, coffee, and chocolate, which can disrupt sleep at a crucial time.
- alcohol, which dehydrates.
5. Try BRAT diet.
Stomach flu makes eating difficult. If food disgusts you, don't eat. Start slow and simple when you finally feel like eating.
The BRAT diet—bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast—can settle an upset stomach. These four foods are nutritious, easy to digest, and provide energy from carbohydrates.
What not to eat
Avoid dairy, fibre, fat, and spice.
- Dairy: Some stomach flu sufferers have trouble digesting milk, which can worsen gas and diarrhoea.
- Fibre: Loose bowels don't need fibre.
- Grease: Avoid greasy, salty foods like bacon.
- Spices: Avoid curries, chilli sauces, and tomato-based dishes.
Treatments for kids
Watching your child get the stomach flu is worse than getting it yourself. If your infant's symptoms persist, see a doctor.
Their doctor can ensure your child recovers without complications. They can also rule out other symptoms.
Encourage children to drink water (or breast milk or formula for infants) to avoid dehydration.
When to call our Home GP for stomach flu in Marbella
Call our home GP for stomach flu in Marbella immediately if you are an adult and any of the following apply to you:
- You can't keep liquids down for 24 hours.
- Over two days of vomiting or diarrhoea
- Bloody vomit
- Bloody stools
- You're dehydrated
- Stomach pain is severe.
- Fever over 40 C.
For infants and children
Immediately consult your child's primary care physician if your child exhibits any of the following symptoms:
- Fever over 38.9 C
- Seems exhausted or irritable
- Is in great pain
- Has diarrhoea with blood
- Seems dehydrated
If you have an infant, remember that vomiting is not as common as spitting up. Many babies vomit for medical reasons.
Please get in touch with your child's paediatrician as soon as possible if your child:
- Has episodes of vomiting that occur frequently.
- Has gone six hours without having a soiled diaper.
- Has a severe case of diarrhoea or stools that are bloody.
- Possesses a sunken soft spot (also known as a fontanel) on the crown of their head
- Has a dry mouth or cries but no tears are produced
- Is uncharacteristically drowsy, sleepy, or unresponsive