Vomiting and/or Diarrhea
Vomiting is throwing up the stomach's contents. Dry heaves may precede or follow vomiting.
Nausea is when you fell like you're going to throw up.
Diarrhea is the passage of any loose, watery or unformed bowel movements.
Symptoms:
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Vomiting stomach contents
Frequent watery, loose stools
Cramping or pain in the abdomen
Occasional fever
Causes:
"Stomach flu," which is a viral infection of the intestines
Spoiled food, contaminated water, or infections from bacteria or parasites that affect the digestive tract
Overuse of alcohol or laxatives
A side effect of some medicines
Lactose intolerance or a food allergy
Emotional upsets or acute stress
Eating or drinking too much
Diarrhea is also a symptom of health conditions, such as irritable
bowel syndrome. It results in irregular bowel habits and pain that
are not due to any other bowel disease.
Vomiting is a symptom of serious medical conditions, as well. These include:
Labrynthitis, inflammation of an area in the ear that usually results from a respiratory infection
A concussion from a head injury
Stomach ulcers
Hepatitis, inflammation of the liver
Meningitis, inflammation of the membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord.
Prevention
Wash hands after going to the bathroom and before eating
Avoid contact with anyone with "stomach flu"
When traveling, find out if you should avoid drinking the water
Self-care
Drink clear liquids
Avoid milk and milk products for 24-48 hours
Gradually return to regular diet, usually within 12 hours - start with foods like bananas, rice, toast, crackers and other high
carbohydrate foods
Don't smoke or drink alcohol
Treatment
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, but do not take aspirin
Try an over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medicine
Diagnostic tests may include blood work and/or laboratory study of the stool
Notify or seek medical attention if:
Diarrhea lasts more than 48 hours
Vomiting bright red blood
Fever rises to 100 degrees or higher
Severe abdominal pain
Dehydration develops
Syptoms of dehydration are:
Sunken, dry eyes
Dry mouth, tongue and lips
No urine or a small amount that is dark yellow
Lightheadedness
Dry skin
Dizziness, confusion, weakness
Increase in breathing and heart rate
Severe thirst |
