Dominican Republic
Short Medical Guide
Gastritis. Inflammation of the stomach lining or mucosa.
Causes:
A. Ingested chemicals, alcohol, medication (Aspirin), smoking, spicy foods
B. Infection – Bacterial, Parasites
Symptoms:
a. High abdominal pain, often relieved by eating bland foods, worse late at night
b. Blood in vomit, Black stool
Treatments:
a. Acid neutralizers/ inhibitors [Tums]
b. Antibiotics
Esophagitis. Acid Reflux of stomach acid up into the esophagitis, causing “heart burn”
Causes:
A. Incomplete gastric Sphincter. Possibly Hiatal Hernia
B. Chemical irritants such as roundworms
C. Medications such as Aspirin
Symptoms:
a. Anterior mid chest burning
b. Stomach acid regurgitation (more common at night)
c. Relieved by antacids/ acid inhibitors
Treatment:
a. acid neutralizers/ inhibitors
b. Possibly perform hiatal hernia repair
Dyspepsia. Upper Abdomen pain associated with eating
Causes:
A. Parasites (many), Gallstones, Ulcers
Symptoms:
a. Bloating, belching, nausea, cramping and loss of appetite
Treatments: Wide range.
Colitis. Inflammation or infection of the colon (large intestine)
Causes: Many
Symptoms:
a. Diarrhea, Cramping bloating, Blood in stool
Chikungunya
Causes:
Chikungunya virus, most commonly carried by mosquitos
Symptoms:
a. Sudden, short lasting fever for only several days
b. Following the fever is strong joint pain or stiffness
c. Rash, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Treatment:
a. No specific treatment is available, only supportive and symptomatic care can be
given.
Dengue Fever. Dengue virus, a mosquito-borne tropical diseases given to humans.
Symptoms:
a. High fever, rash, muscle and joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea
b. Sometimes: serious bleeding, and shock
Treatment:
a. In curable, but treatable with fluids, and pain relievers.
b. Hospitalization is sometimes necessary
Lymphatic Filariasis. A parasitic disease that affects the lymph nodes and lymph vessels
Symptoms:
a. Most people are asymptomatic.
b. Increases the risk of frequent bacterial infections that harden and thicken the skin
Malaria. A disease caused by a plasmodium parasite. Transmitted by mosquitoes.
Symptoms:
a. Chills, fever, sweating, a few weeks after being bitten
b. Some have chills, night sweats, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting as well as
tachycardia (high heart rate) and headache.
Treatment:
a. Antibiotics and antimalarial medications
West Nile Virus. A mosquito-borne arbocirus
Symptoms:
a. Typically asymptomatic
b. Some will experience headache, body aches and joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or
rash
Treatments:
a. No vaccine or specific antiviral treatments available
b. Manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce fever and symptoms
c. Some may need to be hospitalized if too severe.