Gastroenteritis is sometimes misdiagnosed as Bowel Obstruction

It has been reported that some patients have been misdiagnosed with Bowel Obstruction, when in fact the correct diagnosis in their specific case was Gastroenteritis.

Gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection caused by noroviruses and rotaviruses with symptoms such as watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, muscle aches, headaches and fever. It can be mistaken as appendicitis, bowel performation, mesenteric ischemia, ischemic colitis, clostridium difficile colitis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, volvulus, bowel obstruction, diverticulitis, cholecystitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. There is no treatment except for rest and hydration.

Always consult your doctor or health professional, and do not self diagnose.

Symptoms can include:

Muscle aches or headache, low grade fever, watery nonbloody diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and pain

Symptoms are a guideline only and may apply to either the diagnosis or the reported misdiagnosis, or both. Consult your specialist for further information.

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