Diarrhea Recurring Every Summer, Protect Your Digestive Health First

Gastritis. [Image source=Clipart Korea]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] A, a worker in his 30s, always prepares stomach medicine before summer arrives. He usually has poor digestion and is prone to enteritis due to food, but the symptoms worsen when the heat begins and summer comes. Last year, he experienced severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which led him to visit the emergency room in the middle of the night. This year, he got a health checkup in advance and stocked up on stomach medicine to prepare for emergencies.

During the humid rainy season and hot summer, many people like A have likely experienced abdominal pain or diarrhea at least once. Abdominal pain and diarrhea are typical symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases and have various causes. Acute gastroenteritis can be caused by various food poisoning bacteria or may result from colds or bronchitis. Consuming foods that are hard to digest, cold foods, or overeating can also be causes.

According to the National Health Insurance Service’s disease statistics, among a total of 5,258,619 patients treated for infectious and other unspecified gastroenteritis and colitis in 2019, the number began to increase in June with 579,490 patients, sharply rose to 671,803 in July, and peaked at 694,628 in August.

Especially among those aged 65 and older, gastroenteritis ranked 8th with 54,847 hospitalizations, indicating that the elderly need to be particularly cautious during the summer.

Gastroenteritis occurring in the stomach lining, small intestine, and large intestine is mostly caused by viruses, but can also be caused by bacteria, parasites, chemical toxins, or medications. Viral infections infect the cells of the small intestine wall, causing cell proliferation and resulting in watery diarrhea and vomiting. Major gastroenteritis viruses include Norovirus, Rotavirus, Astrovirus, and Adenovirus.

The most representative gastroenteritis virus is the ‘Norovirus.’ It can survive at temperatures below minus 20 degrees Celsius and can cause symptoms with a smaller amount compared to E. coli or Salmonella. Consuming food or water contaminated with Norovirus without heating can lead to infection, and it can spread from person to person through contact with infected individuals, so caution is necessary. After a 1 to 2-day incubation period, symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, headache, and fever appear, usually resolving naturally within three days. However, if sufficient hydration is not maintained during frequent diarrhea or vomiting, dehydration may occur.

Bacterial gastroenteritis occurs less frequently than viral gastroenteritis and is caused by various bacteria such as Vibrio, Cholera, Salmonella, and Shigella, which produce intestinal toxins or damage cells to cause symptoms.

Vibrio, which survives in seawater, proliferates in the summer when water temperatures rise and attaches to the gills, skin, and internal organs of shellfish, fish, and squid, causing gastroenteritis and food poisoning in people who consume these foods. Infection can occur if contaminated seafood or shellfish is not thoroughly washed or fully cooked, or through contaminated cooking utensils or hands during food preparation, so special care is required.

Most gastroenteritis cases present with mild to severe diarrhea accompanied by vomiting, abdominal discomfort, nausea, and cramps, with slight differences depending on the cause.

Diagnosis is made based on symptoms, history of consuming contaminated food, contact with infected individuals, travel history, and antibiotic use. If necessary, medical professionals may conduct imaging tests or stool examinations. Most cases recover with rest and hydration, but severe cases may require medication.

Dr. Incheol Park, head of the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center at Daedong Hospital (internal medicine specialist), said, “Gastroenteritis in the elderly, infants, and immunocompromised individuals can be life-threatening due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance if severe. If shock occurs or secondary infections from gastrointestinal bleeding develop, complications such as sepsis may follow. Therefore, if symptoms are severe or persistent, it is essential to visit a medical institution.”

To prevent gastroenteritis, thorough hand hygiene should be practiced in daily life, especially before and after eating, and before and after food preparation. Hands should be washed clean with soap and running water after using the restroom or touching feces.

To prevent foodborne infections, it is advisable to separate cutting boards and knives according to the type of food such as meat and fish, and to wash them thoroughly before and after use. Water should be boiled before drinking, and food should be fully cooked. Leftover food should be refrigerated immediately, and expired food should be discarded without hesitation.

Also, it is best to avoid eating food from street vendors during summer if food safety is not guaranteed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.