Gastroenteritis and Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits
Your stomach is a crescent-shaped hollow organ that is made-up of several strong, muscular layers. Your stomach is located and protected under your rib cage. It is connected at one opening to your esophagus and at the other opening to your small intestine. Your stomach stores, mixes and digests the food that you eat. It also functions to protect you from infectious organisms that you may have ingested. Gastroenteritis is a disease that is marked by inflammation and irritation of your stomach and intestines (gastrointestinal tract). Gastroenteritis is also marked by dehydration (your body not having enough fluids and water). Gastroenteritis is referred to by other names. It is also called stomach flu or gastric flu, although this condition has nothing to do with influenza. There are different types of gastroenteritis. These include viral gastroenteritis, bacterial gastroenteritis, bacillary dysentery and amebic dysentery. Gastroenteritis is a very common disease in the United States. Each year, gastroenteritis accounts for 8 million doctor visits and 250,000 hospitalizations. Gastroenteritis has many different causes. However, viruses and bacteria are the most common causes of this disease. Viruses and bacteria are extremely contagious. They can spread by means of contaminated water, food or improper handwashing. A less common cause of gastroenteritis is protozoans and parasites. These tiny organisms are usually found in contaminated water. You may become infected with them at a public swimming pool or by drinking contaminated water. Gastroenteritis that is not contagious may be caused by chemical toxins that are usually located in seafood. Antibiotics and other medications, heavy metals and food allergies may also cause non-contagious gastroenteritis. There are several different signs and symptoms that you may experience with gastroenteritis. Some of these include:- Stomach pain or spasms
- Abdominal cramps
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting and nausea
- Diarrhea
- Bloody stools
- Weakness and fainting
- Headaches
- Fever
- Abnormal flatulence (gas)
- Abdominal pain
- Heartburn.
