Acute gastroenteritis is usually caused by bacteria and protozoan.

In the Philippines, one

of the most
common causes of acute gastroenteritis is E. histolytica. The pathologic process starts with
ingestion of fecally
contaminated food and water. The organism affects the body through direct invasion and by
endotoxin being
released by the organism. Through these two processes the bowel mucosal lining is stimulated
and destroyed the
eventually lead to attempted defecation or tenesmus as the body tries to get rid of the foreign
organism in the
stomach.

The client with acute gastroenteritis may also report excessive gas formation that may
leads to
abdominal distention and passing of flatus due to digestive and absorptive malfunction in the
system. Feeling of
fullness and the increase motility of the gastrointestinal tract may progress to nausea and
vomiting and
increasing frequency of defecation. Abdominal pain and feeling of fullness maybe relieved only
when the
patient is able to pass a flatus.

As the destruction of the bowel continues the mucosal lining erodes due to toxin, direct
invasion of the
organism and the action of the hydrochloric acid of the stomach. As the protective coating of the
stomach erodes
the digestive capabilities of the acid helps in destroying the stomach lining. Pain or tenderness of
the abdomen
is then felt by the patient. When the burrows or ulceration reaches the blood vessels in the
stomach bleeding
will be induced. Dysentery may be characterized by melena or hematochezia depending on the
site and quantity
of bleeding that may ensue. Signs of bleeding may be observed also through hematemesis.

As the bowel is stimulated by the organism and its toxin, the intestinal tract secretes
water and
electrolytes in the intestinal lumen. The body secretes and therefore lost Chloride and bicarbonate
ions in the
bowel as the body try to get rid of the organism by increasing peristalsis and number of
defecation. Sodium and
water reabsorption in the bowel is inhibited with the lost of the two electrolytes.
 Mild diarrhea is characterized by 2-3 stool, borborygmi (hyperactive bowel sound),fluid
and electrolyte imbalance and hypernatremia. When the condition continue to progress, protein in
the body is excreted to the lumen that further decreases the reabsorption and the body become
overwhelmed that leads to intense diarrhea with more than 10 watery stool. Serious fluid volume
deficit may lead to hypovolemic shock and eventually death