Fans​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ of the Indian cricket team were quite worried when it was announced that young batting sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal had to be hospitalized due to acute gastroenteritis. The 23-year-old opener who has been brililiant across all the formats of the game was taken to a hospital in Pune immediately after the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Super League match against Rajasthan. Jaiswal, it is reported, after the match started feeling stomach cramps and his condition got worse in the following hours. Hence, he was taken to the Aditya Birla Hospital in Pimpri Chinchwad where the doctors, after examining him, diagnosed him with acute gastroenteritis. Though his condition is said to be stable, the incident has thus far been the subject of a huge amount of talk about the ailment and its effect, especially on professional ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌athletes.

What Is Acute Gastroenteritis?

Acute gastroenteritis is a condition in which the stomach and the intestines become inflamed. The inflammation is largely caused by viruses or bacteria. It is commonly called a “stomach bug” and is known for its sudden nature and painful symptoms. In most cases, it is not dangerous to healthy adults, however, it may become severe if the patient gets dehydrated.

The disease is spread through eating contaminated food and drinking contaminated water, poor hygiene, or by coming in contact with an infected person. In the case of Jaiswal, whose body is always pushed to the limit by training and competitive cricket, even a brief illness can be very challenging, so hospital care is a precautionary ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌measure.

Common Symptoms to Watch Out For

The key symptom of acute gastroenteritis is sudden-onset diarrhea which is most of the time watery or loose. Along with this, nausea and vomiting are also present, and these actions make it hard for the body to take in fluids. Abdominal cramps, flatulence, and stomach ache are also among the symptoms of the disease.

Many of the infected people manifest mild fever, loss of appetite, headaches, and extreme fatigue as the body is energizing its defense against the infection. The symptoms usually set in within a few hours or two days after exposure to the causative virus or bacteria.

Why​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Dehydration Is a Major Concern

The most significant risk that comes along with gastroenteritis is that of dehydration. With the body being constantly flushed out by vomiting and diarrhea, it can lose its delicate electrolyte balance very quickly. For athletes, dehydration becomes even more dangerous since it has the potential to negatively affect muscle recovery, endurance, and general performance.

I think it must be the reason why Jaiswal was taken to a hospital where he was under close observation and intravenous fluids were given to him so that dehydration and other related issues could be avoided. Even a very minor dehydration situation can make a huge difference in the case of top athletes and this is the reason why early medical intervention is so important.

Recovery and Treatment

In most cases, acute gastroenteritis heals within a couple of days with the help of rest, proper hydration, and eating light meals that are easy to digest. Patients are usually advised to take oral rehydration solution, clear fluids, and follow a bland diet. Admission to a hospital becomes necessary in the case of severe dehydration, continuous vomiting, high fever or when the symptoms get worse.

The doctors who are responsible for the health of professional cricketers normally adopt a very careful stance to make sure that the player is completely and safely recovered before returning to the training or matches.

Prevention Matters

Good personal hygiene and food safety practices are the major factors in preventing gastroenteritis apart from other measures. Regular hand washing, drinking clean water, and avoiding contaminated or undercooked food are the most effective ways to prevent this disease. Athletes and physically active people, if they want to stay healthy, should also be aware that adequate hydration and a balanced diet are the factors that will strengthen their bodies and make them more resistant to infections.

Meanwhile, fans are eager to know about the recovery of Yashasvi Jaiswal; the incident, however, brings us back to the fact that athletes even at the highest level are human and can fall ill with common diseases and that there is no alternative to getting medical aid on time if we want them to get better and come back to the field ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌fast.