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Suggest Treatment For Diarrhea, Headache And Low Grade Fever

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Posted on Fri, 27 Jan 2017
Question: where do I find diarrhea in the choices for symptoms? I have a continual low grade fever, slight headache, loss of appetite, and diarrhea.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (53 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Likely to be viral gastroenteritis (stomach "flu")

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

From the description of your symptoms, it is likely to be a virus causing gastroenteritis, which you may have picked up and should resolve in the next few days.

I don't know what you mean by natural antibiotics and I am wondering if they may be contributing to the diarrhea. Just a thought.

If you are having many diarrheal stools per day, you may need rehydration fluids with electrolytes to replace losses. Coconut water (NOT coconut milk) is a good rehydration choice as it has a good balance of electrolytes and naturally occurring sugars.

If you are not able to tolerate even that, and you are losing a lot of fluids, then going in to an urgent care clinic where they can give you an IV and electrolytes (if needed) can provide a lot of relief and sometimes help the cycle to resolve.

Foods that are better tolerated with diarrhea are bananas, apple sauce, rice (cooked thoroughly) and toast.

I hope you will feel better soon! Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (25 minutes later)
Thanks for your answer. The only things I have had to eat or drink in three days are lots of water, a little peppermint tea with honey, a few blueberries, whole grain toast with a little butter, and a serving of rice. I also had some echinacea. Today I started eating a raw red potato with a little salt and a banana.

The diarrhea is decreasing, only one episode earlier this a.m. (eastern time) I am concerned about my electrolytes as I don't care for coconut water. Is there anything else that could help besides an IV?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Information.

Detailed Answer:
If you are able to tolerate that bit of banana, that will help replace the potassium which is one of the main electrolytes lost with diarrhea. There are other rehydration fluids on the market you can try if you don't like coconut water. Best to try to find one with lower amounts of sugar (and avoid sugar substitutes) as some brands go overboard.

Try a bit more rice. White rice is binding. If you only have brown rice, such as bismatti rice, cooked it with extra water and for a longer period of time than usual.

Once you are able to tolerate more food and with the episodes of diarrhea slowing down, any electrolyte deficits will be replaced without you needing to do anything extra.

Eat only small amounts at a time - this will be less taxing on your gut.

Skip the fruit for now - other than bananas and apple sauce (not raw apples).

You are likely on the mend and will be better soon.

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Diarrhea, Headache And Low Grade Fever

Brief Answer: Likely to be viral gastroenteritis (stomach "flu") Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, From the description of your symptoms, it is likely to be a virus causing gastroenteritis, which you may have picked up and should resolve in the next few days. I don't know what you mean by natural antibiotics and I am wondering if they may be contributing to the diarrhea. Just a thought. If you are having many diarrheal stools per day, you may need rehydration fluids with electrolytes to replace losses. Coconut water (NOT coconut milk) is a good rehydration choice as it has a good balance of electrolytes and naturally occurring sugars. If you are not able to tolerate even that, and you are losing a lot of fluids, then going in to an urgent care clinic where they can give you an IV and electrolytes (if needed) can provide a lot of relief and sometimes help the cycle to resolve. Foods that are better tolerated with diarrhea are bananas, apple sauce, rice (cooked thoroughly) and toast. I hope you will feel better soon! Please let me know if I can provide further information.