Gastroenteritis is another term for an upset stomach and causes diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. If you have gastroenteritis, your digestive tract is inflamed, including your mouth, stomach, intestines and esophagus. Yogurt contains live cultures that can help heal the lining of your digestive system and shorten the duration of diarrhea, according to AskDrSears.com. One form of gastroenteritis commonly referred to as the stomach flu is highly contagious.
Background
Gastroenteritis can be caused through food, water, dirty utensils, unwashed hands and coming into direct contact with an infected person. The infection can be caused by a virus, bacteria, toxin or parasite. The most common symptoms that can accompany gastroenteritis include bloating, gas, cramping, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you have diarrhea for more than three days or you're vomiting for more than two days, call your doctor. Some forms of gastroenteritis are treated with the use of antibiotics, but not all forms can be treated with antibiotics
Yogurt
Yogurt contains various benefits for the digestive system and your overall health, but during and after you've had gastroenteritis, you should intentionally eat it. Some forms of gastroenteritis injure the lining of the intestines, leading to lactose intolerance or malabsorption of nutrients.Yogurt is recommended as a food to treat gastroenteritis by the Cleveland Clinic because of its healing properties and ability to balance the bacteria in the colon. Eating yogurt may help reduce the severity and longevity of your nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
Considerations
If you use yogurt to treat gastroenteritis, your doctor needs to be aware. Any time you use a food, herb or medication to treat a medical condition, discuss it with your doctor. Many yogurts contain a lot of sugar, which can worsen your condition. Use plain yogurt that is low in fat and doesn't contain added sugar.
Milk Concerns
If you're allergic to milk or you're lactose intolerant, you can acquire the benefits of eating yogurt through supplementation and yogurt alternatives. You can purchase probiotic supplements that deliver the same healthy bacteria of yogurt. If you're lactose intolerant, taking a lactase supplement will allow you digest the yogurt. If you've been diagnosed with a milk allergy, do not eat milk-based yogurt. You can purchase soy-based yogurts that provide the same benefit but are dairy-free.
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