Suggest Treatment For Nausea And Lightheadedness

Posted on Mon, 17 Jul 2017

Question: My husband, age 59, has been having nausea and light-headedness off-and-on for almost 3 weeks. He has had diarrhea off-and-on for about a week also. He was feeling very nauseous and faint when I spoke to him from my workplace about 30 minutes ago. He saw his PCP about a week ago and they did bloodwork. The results came back on Monday of this week and showed nothing significant.

Answered by Dr. Sunil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Recurrent chronic enteritis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Thanks for posting the query.

I've gone through your description.
Your husband is most likely suffering from chronic recurrent Gastroenteritis.

It is an infection of Gut caused due to bacteria virus or protozoa.
It is characterized by recurrent nausea vomiting and loose stools.
Mostly self-limiting, however, can be recurrent as in his case.

Treatment suggested-
5 days therapy with antibiotic Norfloxacin 400 mg twice daily and Metronidazole 400 mg thrice daily.
Probiotic Econorm twice daily for 5 days.
Tab Imodium 2 mg twice daily for 3 days.
Tab Zofran 4 mg twice daily for 3 days for nausea.
(you may need to obtain a prescription from his physician for these)

Please do follow-up after 3 days about his progress.

Thanks!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Sunil (23 minutes later)

Thank you for that information, Dr. XXXXXXX

My husband asked if the chronic recurring gastroenteritis could also be causing his feelings of weakness + feeling light-headed. I said probablyso, if you have a bacteria in your gut. Do you concur?

Regards,XXXX

Answered by Dr. Sunil (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Severe electrolyte imbalance.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
With every stool or vomiting a patient looses a number of electrolytes like sodium potassium chloride etc from blood.Loss of these electrolytes results in severe imbalance in body.This electrolyte imbalance is responsible for nausea,giddiness,Malaise,Weekness etc.

Apart from medicines he should take -
Electral one glass in one hour.Electral contains electrolytes the earlier there levels are repleted the faster would be recovery.
Ask him to drink lots of orange juice and coconut water they are naturally rich in electrolytes.

He will start feeling better very soon.

Thanks!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Sunil (7 minutes later)

Thank you very much for the advice. He will contact his PCP tomorrow about your advice and obtaining the suggested prescriptions.

Answered by Dr. Sunil (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
.

Detailed Answer:
I wish him a early recovery dear.
Thank you!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Sunil (3 days later)

Dr. XXXXXXX

I wanted to follow-up with you, as you requested, to let you know that my husband started taking an OTC probiotic and the Metronidazole 400 mg thrice daily since Saturday. He is drinking orange juice and other liquids to help with the dehydration. He is feeling better as of yesterday and even better today. No more nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness or feeling lightheaded.

We thank you for your medical advice and recommendations for the various prescriptions and remedies.

Regards,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Sunil (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Your most welcome XXXX.
I wish him a early recovery.
Norfloxacin 400 mg twice daily should be taken with metronidazole for complete protozoal and bacterial coverage.

Warm regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Sunil (1 hour later)

The pharmacy did not have the Norfloxacin available on Friday when we were getting the prescription filled. It was going to be ordered and be in today, but the pharmacist called my husband's PCP on Saturday morning to ask about the Norfloxacin, and doctor told pharmacist to just forego it. So, I think the pharmacist took the order out of the system.

Based on your advice, my husband is calling the pharmacy (and maybe his PCP) to ask about it.

Thank you again,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Sunil (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
In case Norfloxacin is not available other substitutes are A pack(Azithromycin OTC) 500mg once daily for 3 days or Cefixime(Taxim- o 200mg twice daily) for 3 days.

You can ask your pharmacist for that.
Thanks.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana