The Connection Between COVID-19 and Digestive Issues
June 3, 2020Categories: Digestive Health
Tags: Digestive Health
MAYWOOD, IL – Nearly half of COVID-19 patients have digestive issues – vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain. In a new Loyola Medicine video, “Coronavirus (COVID-19): Digestive and GI Symptoms,” gastroenterologist Amar Naik, MD, offers treatment strategies for managing these lesser known symptoms, as well as precautions that should be taken in the home to reduce the likelihood of spreading COVID-19.
First, it’s important that patients with COVID-19 and digestive issues remain hydrated. Dr. Naik suggests regularly replacing lost fluids with water, sports drinks and broths. He said an “oral rehydration solution” can be easily made at home by mixing one liter of water with six level teaspoons of sugar and one-half teaspoon of salt until the salt and sugar dissolve.
“If someone in your home is suspected or confirmed of having COVID-19, and especially if they are having digestive symptoms, there are precautions that should be taken to minimize the spread of this disease,” said Dr. Naik. They include:
- Isolating from others within the home, including pets
- Wearing a mask
- Washing hands frequently, especially after using the restroom
- Routinely cleaning the bathroom and other high-touch surfaces (such as doorknobs) in the home with bleach
- Closing the lid before you flush the toilet
- If at all possible, using a separate bathroom
If you have any concerns about digestive symptoms, including those related to COVID-19, schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with a Loyola Medicine gastroenterologist.
About Loyola Medicine
Loyola Medicine, a member of Trinity Health, is a nationally ranked academic, quaternary care system based in Chicago's western suburbs. The three-hospital system includes Loyola University Medical Center (LUMC), Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, MacNeal Hospital, as well as convenient locations offering primary care, specialty care and immediate care services from nearly 2,000 physicians throughout Cook, Will and DuPage counties. LUMC is a 547-licensed-bed hospital in Maywood that includes the William G. and Mary A. Ryan Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine, the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, the John L. Keeley, MD, Emergency Department, a Level 1 trauma center, Illinois's largest burn center, the Nancy W. Knowles Orthopaedic Institute, a certified comprehensive stroke center, transplant center and a children’s hospital. Having delivered compassionate care for over 50 years, Loyola also trains the next generation of caregivers through its academic affiliation with Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine and Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing.
For more information, visit loyolamedicine.org. You can also follow Loyola Medicine on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or X (formerly known as Twitter).
About Trinity Health
Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, faith-based health care systems in the nation. It is a family of 127,000 colleagues and more than 38,300 physicians and clinicians caring for diverse communities across 26 states. Nationally recognized for care and experience, the Trinity Health system includes 93 hospitals, 107 continuing care locations, the second largest PACE program in the country, 142 urgent care locations and many other health and well-being services. In fiscal year 2024, the Livonia, Michigan-based health system invested $1.3 billion in its communities in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. For more information, visit us at www.trinity-health.org, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X (formerly known as Twitter).