Gastroenteritis Center - Belleville, IL
Belleville Gastroenterologist Doctors for GastroenteritisType of Physician: Gastroenterologist What is a Gastroenterologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners focus on the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, and gallbladder (digestive organs). The gastroenterologist treats conditions such as abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer, and jaundice and they consult with surgeons when abdominal operations are indicated. Specialty: Gastroenterology Common Name: GI Doctor Gastroenterologist Doctors in Belleville * Robert D Fricke MD  Mark S Feldman MD  Shakeel Ahmed MD  Southern Illinois Physicians Services PC  Aaron Greenspan MD  Vasantha Pai MD PC  Mark S Fedder MD  Drs Nyazee & Hakim LLC  Keith R Thomae MD  Greenville Gastroenterology  Mark Allendorph MD  Ahmad A Karadaghy MD  Mark T Klucka DO  Stephen T Ang MD  Shanmugam Lakshmanan MD SC  Zahoor Makhdoom MD  Center for Medical Arts  Sushilkumar Tibrewala MD  Springfield Clinic Gastroenterology  Springfield Clinic Gastroenterology  Springfield Clinic Gastroenterology  Springfield Clinic Gastroenterology  Springfield Clinic Gastroenterology  Springfield Clinic Gastroenterology  Springfield Clinic Gastroenterology  SIU Physicians & Surgeons Inc  SIU Physicians & Surgeons Inc Belleville, IllinoisUpcoming Local Events2012-06-09
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Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)Read the Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu) article » What is viral gastroenteritis?Gastroenteritis means inflammation of the stomach and small and large intestines. Viral gastroenteritis is an infection caused by a variety of viruses that results in vomiting or diarrhea. It is often called the "stomach flu," although it is not caused by the influenza viruses.
What causes viral gastroenteritis?Many different viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including rotaviruses; noroviruses; adenoviruses, types 40 and 41; sapoviruses; and astroviruses. Viral gastroenteritis is not caused by bacteria (such as Salmonella species or Escherichia coli), or parasites (such as Giardia lamblia), or by medications, or other medical conditions, although the symptoms may be similar. Your doctor can determine if the diarrhea is caused by a virus or by something else.
What are the symptoms of viral gastroenteritis?The main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are watery diarrhea and vomiting. The affected person may also have headache, fever, and abdominal cramps ("stomach ache"). In general, the symptoms begin 1 to 2 days following infection with a virus that causes gastroenteritis and may last for 1 to 10 days, depending on which virus causes the illness.
Is viral gastroenteritis a serious illness?For most people, it is not. People who get viral gastroenteritis almost always recover completely without any long-term problems. Gastroenteritis is a serious illness, however, for persons who are unable to drink enough fluids to replace what they lose through vomiting or diarrhea. Infants, young children, and persons who are unable to care for themselves, such as the disabled or elderly, are at risk for dehydration from loss of fluids. Immune compromised persons are at risk for dehydration because they may get a more serious illness, with greater vomiting or diarrhea. They may need to be hospitaliz... Recommended Reading Related to Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)What is flexible sigmoidoscopy?Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to examine the rectum and the lower (sigmoid) colon. The flexible sigmoidoscope is a flexible tube 60 cm long and about the thickness of your little finger. It is inserted gently into the anus and advanced slowly into the rectum and the lower colon. It is an accurate and simple method of investigating the cause of rectal bleeding, change in bowel habit, and rectal symptoms such as pain and diarrhea. Flexible sigmoidoscopy also is a part of colon screening and surveillance for colon cancer. What is the preparation for flexible sigmoidoscopy?In order to obtain accurate results, the rectum and the lower colon must be completely clean of stool. Your doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to cleanse your colon. In general, this requires the use of one or two enemas prior to the procedure and may also call for a laxative and some dietar... Other Related Gastroenteritis ArticlesEmergency Contact for Belleville
Nearby Belleville Hospitals *St Elizabeth's Hospital Belleville Memorial Hospital Belleville Touchette Regional Hospital Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital St Alexius Hospital Broadway Campus Gateway Regional Medical Center SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center Anderson Hospital Saint Louis University Hospital St Louis VA Medical Center John Cochran Division St Louis VA Medical Center Jefferson Barracks St Louis Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center The Rehabilitation Institute of St Louis St Louis Children's Hospital Barnes-Jewish Hospital South Campus Barnes-Jewish Hospital North Campus Kindred Hospital St Louis Forest Park Community Hospital Select Specialty Hospital St Louis Metropolitan St Louis Psychiatric Center SSM Rehab SSM St Mary's Health Center Red Bud Regional Hospital Hawthorn Children's Psychiatric Hospital St Anthony's Medical Center Kindred Hospital St Anthony's Christian Hospital NE  St Joseph's Hospital of Highland  Shriners Hospital for Children  St Luke's Urgent Care Center in Fenton  Des Peres Hospital  Missouri Baptist Medical Center  St Joseph's Hospital Breese  Northwest HealthCare  SSM St Clare Health Center  St John's Mercy Medical Center  Ranken Jordan Pediatric Rehabilitation  St Clare's Hospital  Alton Memorial Hospital  Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital  Dubuis Hospital of St Louis  Jefferson Regional Medical Center  St Anthony's Health Center  SSM DePaul Health Center  St Luke's Hospital  St John's Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital  Sparta Community Hospital  SSM St Joseph Health Center  St Luke's Urgent Care Center on Clarkson Road  Washington County Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu) by Our Doctors
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Rectal Bleeding (Blood in Stool, Hematochezia)
- Rectal bleeding (hematochezia) refers to the passage of bright red blood from the anus. Rectal bleeding may be moderate to severe and most bleeding comes from the colon, rectum, or anus. Common causes include anal fissures, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, and more.
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Diarrhea
- Diarrhea is a change is the frequency and looseness of bowel movements. Cramping, abdominal pain, and the sensation of rectal urgency are all symptoms of diarrhea. Absorbents and anti-motility medications are used to treat diarrhea.
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Dizziness
- Dizziness is a symptom that is often applies to a variety of sensations including lightheadedness and vertigo. Causes of dizziness include low blood pressure, heart problems, anemia, dehydration, and more. Treatment of dizziness depends on the cause.
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Dehydration
- Dehydration is the excessive loss of body water. There are a number of causes of dehydration including heat exposure, prolonged vigorous exercise, and some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The best way to treat dehydration is to prevent it from occurring.
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Nausea and Vomiting
- Nausea is an uneasiness of the stomach that often precedes vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are not diseases, but they are symptoms of many conditions. The causes of vomiting differ according to age, and treatment depends upon the cause of nausea and vomiting.
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Salmonella
- Salmonella bacteria are known to cause salmonellosis, typhoid fever, and paratyphoid fever in humans. Salmonella infection is usually caused by ingesting large amounts of the bacteria in contaminated food or water.
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Low Potassium (Hypokalemia)
- Potassium is an essential electrolyte necessary for cell function. Low potassium (hypokalemia) may be caused by diarrhea, vomiting, ileostomy, colon polyps, laxative use, diuretics, elevated corticosteroid levels, renal artery stenosis, and renal tubular acidosis, or other medications. Symptoms of low potassium include weakness, aches, and cramps of the muscles. Treatment is dependant upon the cause of the low potassium (hypokalemia).
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Norovirus Infection
- Norovirus infection causes stomach flu, or gastroenteritis. It's a very contagious illness with symptoms that include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches. Norovirus infection cannot be treated with antibiotics, so treatment focuses on maintaining proper hydration.
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E. Coli (0157:H7)
- There are many types of E. Coli (Escherichia coli ). Pathogenic E. coli can cause urinary tract and bladder infections, or lead to sepsis. E coli O157:H7 (EHEC) causes bloody diarrhea and colitis. Complications of E. coli infection include hemorrhagic diarrhea, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. E coli O157:H7 commonly is due to eating raw or undercooked hamburger or raw milk or dairy products.
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Food Poisoning
- Food poisoning is common, but can also be life threatening. The most common form of food poisoning is caused by bacteria and include symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
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Rotavirus
- Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea among infants and children throughout the world. Almost all children have become infected with rotavirus by their third birthday. Repeat infections with different viral strains are possible, and most children have several episodes of rotavirus infection in the first years of life. Children between the ages of six and 24 months are at greatest risk for developing severe disease from rotavirus infection. Rotavirus symptoms include: fever, vomiting, watery diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Rotavirus infection can be associated with severe dehydration in infants and children.
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Travelers' Diarrhea
- Travelers' diarrhea is generally contracted by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Food is the primary source of travelers' diarrhea. Enterotoxigenic E. coli is the cause of up to 70% of all cases of travelers' diarrhea. There are five unique classes of E. coli that causes gastroenteritis. Other bacteria responsible for travelers' diarrhea include Campylobacter, jejuni, shigella, and salmonella. Viruses such as rotavirus and Norwalk virus (norovirus) and giardia lamblia a parasite may cause travelers' diarrhea. Prevention is careful eating and drinking of water.
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Antibiotic Resistance (Drug Resistance, Antimicrobial Resistance)
- Drug resistance (antimicrobial resistance) is the ability of bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses to grow, even in the presence of a drug that would normally kill it (or limit it's growth). Drug resistance is a growing problem, particularly for infections such as MRSA, VRE (vancomycin-resistant enterococci), tuberculosis, HIV, STDs, gonorrhea, flu, pneumonia, malaria, E. coli, salmonella, Campylobacter, which causes diarrhea and gastroenteritis. Learn how to protect yourself from resistance to drugs.
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Reye's Syndrome
- Reye's syndrome (RS, or Reye syndrome) is a sudden, sometimes fatal, disease of the brain with degeneration of the liver. Reye syndrome occurs in children and comes after the chickenpox or an influenza-type illness, is also associated with taking medications containing aspirin. Symptoms include vomiting, listlessness, irritability or combativeness, confusion, delirium, delusions, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. Treatment depends on early diagnosis and focuses on protecting the brain against irreversible damage by reducing brain swelling, reversing the metabolic injury, preventing complications in the lungs, and anticipating cardiac arrest.
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Travel Medicine
- Travelers should prepare for their trip by visiting their physician to get the proper vaccinations and obtain the necessary medication if they have a medical condition or chronic disease. Diseases that travelers may pick up from contaminated water or food, insect or animal bites, or from other people include malaria, meningococcal meningitis, yellow fever, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, polio, and cholera.
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Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a diseases in which blood clots within the capillaries. Causes associated with HUS include E. Coli, birth control pills, pneumonia, medications such as chemotherapy, Ticlid, and quinine. Symptoms of HUS include gastroenteritis, abdominal cramping, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. Diagnosis of HUS includes medical history, physical examination, and medical tests. Treatment includes rest, fluids, possible hospitalization for blood transfusion or complications due to kidney failure.
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Rectal Bleeding (Blood in Stool, Hematochezia)
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