Gastro in Montreal
Colloquially referred to as “gastro”, I’d been hearing about this acute, transient illness Quebecers tend to contract during the fall and winter months. “Gastro” is short for “gastro-entérite”, which English speakers know as gastroenteritis. Since any form of evil goes by several names, elsewhere you’ll hear gastro referred to as “winter vomiting disease” or the [scientifically nonsensical term] “stomach flu”.
Foodborne gastroenteritis is the most common form of food poisoning, so the classic gastro symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea could be due to “something you ate”. You’ll probably never find out if the case you contracted was bacterial rather than viral. According to the CDC, norovirus is worldwide the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis that leads to diarrhea and vomiting, accounting for 1 in 5 cases.
Ma première gastro québécoise (and some tips for you)
You know that feeling you get just minutes before you barf? That may be your first indication. It was for me, and I’m glad I got the advance notice because it inspired me to dig a barf bowl out of the cupboard. You’re going to want a barf bowl even in the bathroom, because your body will be trying to rid itself of the microbe via both ends of your digestive system simultaneously. Fun! It will be a night to remember. Make sure to keep that barf bowl next to your bed while “sleeping”.
Many people finish with gastro after only 24 hours, but according to the official website of the Gouvernement du Québec (Québec.ca), “symptoms of gastroenteritis usually last 24 to 72 hours… [but] can last up to 10 days if the stomach flu began while traveling abroad or upon your return.” (I’m linking to the provincial website because it doesn’t plow you with annoying images and the incessant capitalist scourge of ads and obnoxious popups. And it’s “local”!) Quebec’s website kindly provides tips re: Hydrating and Rehydrating and foods to eat during gastro.
Locally available oral rehydration formulas
What’s a barfing, abnormally frequently liquidly evacuating Quebecer to do?
While rushing back to solid foods might be tempting (it depends on your nausea versus hunger ratio), this probably isn’t the best idea. Starting with ice chips helped in gauging my capacity for liquids and solids. My primary concern was dehydration, so I began oral rehydration therapy [photo above]. I prefer going straight to the medical literature when looking for health solutions, so consulted the excellent American Family Physician for advice, and found this:
Many physicians are reluctant to use oral rehydration therapy, despite its proven effectiveness in the management of diarrhea-associated dehydration. It has been proven to prevent and treat dehydration in patients of all ages… Sports drinks and soft drinks have a high carbohydrate-to-sodium ratio and total osmolality, and can exacerbate diarrhea.”
After consuming turkey broth for some bland liquid protein, unsweetened applesauce was my choice for introducing solids. I avoided dairy, caffeine, sugar, fatty foods, and most seasonings. It’s handy to have saltines stored in the pantry during the winter for just this predicament, and electrolyte packets in the medicine cabinet throughout the year for this and other causes of dehydration.
Final Verdict
If we rate the common cold at 1 and influenza at 3, gastro is somewhere in the middle. You’ll be glad if someone is at home to help you through the gastro, but its brief duration (among healthy individuals) makes it less scary than most illnesses. Count yourself out of the rat race for at least one day if you come down with it.
Disclaimer: I actually do have a degree in the health sciences, but please don’t take my words on this page as medical advice or substitute them for your provider’s input on diagnosis & treatment.
— Victor