Stomach upset, and stomach flu is two terms widely used to describe stomach & digestive system problems. Even though they sound identical, a few little distinctions require our attention.
These little details tell us whether a doctor’s consultation is required or our usual home remedies will get the work done for us.
Key Takeaways
- Stomach upset is a general term for digestive discomfort, which can have various causes, such as overeating, food intolerance, or mild infections. In contrast, stomach flu is caused by viral gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
- Stomach flu symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps, whereas stomach upset symptoms may be less severe and vary depending on the cause.
- Stomach flu is contagious and lasts a few days, while stomach upset resolves once the triggering factor is addressed or eliminated.
Stomach Upset vs Stomach Flu
Stomach upset is a moderate digestive discomfort that is frequently induced by overeating, food poisoning, or stress. Stomach flu, also known as viral gastroenteritis, is a virus-caused inflammation of the stomach and intestines that causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.
Stomach upset is the cause of poor eating habits, such as consuming excessively greasy or fatty food, eating hastily, not chewing food thoroughly, eating on the run,
overeating, and so on, which are all examples of poor eating habits. Even though it’s not severe and doesn’t last long but it could cause uneasiness.
A lack of sanitation could cause Stomach Flu. Food preparation with unclean utensils, eating unsanitary food, not covering food, and not washing hands before cooking or eating are all typical causes of stomach infections.
Stomach flu could be severe and could last for a longer duration, and in that case, a doctor’s consultation is a must.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Stomach Upset | Stomach Flu |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Stomach upset could happen to all ages of people due to their eating habits. | Stomach Flu is known to be an infection that happened by eating food that has been infected with microbiological organisms. |
| Interlink | Stomach upset has no link with stomach flu. | Stomach upset could also cause stomach flu. |
| Cause | Stomach upset is caused due to poor eating habits of unhealthy or fatty/ greasy food. | Caused by infection from bacteria, viruses, or parasites. |
| Remedies | These could be treated with medicines like antacid or other indigestion home treatment. | Antibiotics are prescribed to the patient to help him fight the infection. |
| Painful | It’s less severe than stomach flu. | It’s more severe as compared to stomach upset. |
What is Stomach Upset?
It’s a much more prevalent sickness that affects people of all ages and is less severe than stomach flu. Indigestion or dyspepsia are other terms for it.
The individual reports pain in the upper abdomen. He’ll normally have a slew of symptoms, including belching, bloating, frequent farting, gas, and nausea.
When digestive juices come into touch with the mucosal lining of the esophagus, it causes esophagitis. The esophagus is a tube that runs from the mouth to the stomach.
Due to the presence of the oesophageal valve, the stomach contents normally do not enter the esophagus. Gastric acids from the stomach reach the esophagus and upset the mucosal lining if the valve does not function properly.
Soon after eating, the patient frequently complains of burning in the chest area or the upper portion of the stomach.
Poor eating habits, such as eating excessively greasy or fatty food, consuming very quickly, not chewing food well, eating on the fly, overeating, and so on, cause stomach trouble or indigestion.
Consumption of certain foodstuffs can trigger tummy distress in some people. When lactose intolerant patients eat food containing lactose or fructose, they get gas, bloating, diarrhoea, or abdominal cramps.
Stomach troubles are very temporary and can be treated swiftly with antacids or other indigestion home treatment.
Gastroenteritis, gastric ulcers, gastrointestinal reflux illness, inflammatory bowel disease, and even pregnancy can all cause significant stomach distress. In the event of serious symptoms, the patient must see a doctor.
What is Stomach Flu?
Gastroenteritis is another name for this Stomach Flu. It is frequently brought on by eating food that has been infected with microbiological organisms such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
These germs enter the human digestive tract and cause inflammation and irritation of the stomach and intestine linings.
Stomach pains, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, inflammation of lymph nodes, headache, and dehydration are all symptoms of stomach flu.
Dehydration can be life-threatening in various situations. E.coli, salmonella, shigella, and campylobacter are the most prevalent bacteria that cause stomach flu.
Norovirus, rotavirus, and calicivirus are among the viruses that cause stomach flu.
Lack of cleanliness is the leading cause of stomach flu. Stomach infections are commonly caused by preparing food in unclean vessels, eating unsanitary food, not covering food, not cleaning hands before cooking or eating,
not drinking clean water, and not washing hands properly after changing soiled diapers, among other things. It is a very contagious disease that can be transferred by touching unwashed hands.
People who eat roadside food, pregnant women, newborns, undernourished youngsters, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly are all at risk.
In most cases, the illness is self-limiting. To prevent dehydration, the person is encouraged to drink enough fluids. Antibiotics are also prescribed to him to help him battle the infection.
In the most serious cases, medical help is essential. Blood in the stools or vomiting, severe dehydration (dry lips, wrinkled skin, inability to pass urine), high-grade grade fever (≥ 101 ° F),
stomach inflammation, pain in the right bottom area of the stomach, or vomiting that lasts longer than 48 hours all require emergency medical attention.
Main Differences Between Stomach Upset and Stomach Flu
- Stomach Upset is cured with the help of antacids or other home indigestion remedies, whereas in Stomach Flu, antibiotics are prescribed to the patient to help him fight the infection.
- The main reason for stomach upset is a bad eating habit or intolerance to substances, whereas Stomach Flu is due to infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
- Stomach upset is not related to stomach flu, whereas severe stomach upset could lead to stomach flu conditions.
- Stomach upset is temporary and doesn’t need special medication, whereas stomach flu could last long and require medication or a doctor’s consultation.
- Stomach upset doesn’t have serious symptoms. It has symptoms like gas or stomach aches, whereas in stomach flu, patients could see swollen stomachs or blood in their urine or vomit.
- https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA75178700&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=15254283&p=AONE&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7E63485b29
- https://academic.oup.com/aje/article-abstract/115/3/348/173024
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The article offers a very comprehensive overview about what the difference between the stomach upset and the stomach flu. The information is correct and well explained.
This information is very helpful to avoid self-medication practices that could lead to more severe problems.
Some people think that indigestion is a rare disease. The article makes it very clear that anyone can suffer from it.
The main difference between stomach upset and stomach flu is the origin of the discomfort and its severity. It’s very important to understand the symptoms in order to seek the right treatment in each situation.
I think it is very important also to talk about hygiene practices to avoid stomach flu.
I agree with you. It can help reduce unnecessary visits to the doctor or self-medication.
In the comparison table, everything is clear and organized. It makes it easier to differentiate between both conditions.
The article is exceptionally detailed. It perfectly explains each condition, the symptoms, the causes, and the treatments.