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Suggest Treatment For Nausea, Diarrhea And Hot Flashes
Question: Hi Doc. I'm 56 male over weight being treated for HBP High cholesterol. just a little bit ago I felt nauseous, with diarrhea, hot flash with a throbbing in my mouth. I check my BP in my office and it was 171 over 96....since then it's 156 over 91...any thoughts?
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
The most likely reason for your symptoms is that you have eaten something that was contaminated with bacteria (food poisoning), or got a stomach "flu" (viral gastroenteritis). Given the hot flash and that it sounds like it came on rapidly, I think food poisoning is more likely. By food poisoning, we mean food was not stored properly, was left out, undercooked, etc. Then some bacteria grow in it and give off a toxin. This causes some combination of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, chills or hot flashes, and light headedness.
Your blood pressure went up in response to the gastrointestinal problem. Blood pressure will rise with pain or other things that cause the body stress. With stress, the body releases adrenaline and cortisol, and this will raise the blood pressure. When the stress resolves, the blood pressure returns to normal.
If your blood pressure goes above 180 (systolic) or 110 (diastolic - i.e. the lower number), then do go in to the hospital ER so that they can monitor you while giving you additional medication to lower your blood pressure.
It sounds like your pressures are coming back down, so that is ok.
For your gut problem, consider taking Pepto Bismol, and drink clear fluids such as water, coconut water (not coconut milk) and other rehydration fluids that aren't high in sugar. Rice, toast, apple sauce are ok too. When you are feeling better, you can go back to eating as usual.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
The most likely reason for your symptoms is that you have eaten something that was contaminated with bacteria (food poisoning), or got a stomach "flu" (viral gastroenteritis). Given the hot flash and that it sounds like it came on rapidly, I think food poisoning is more likely. By food poisoning, we mean food was not stored properly, was left out, undercooked, etc. Then some bacteria grow in it and give off a toxin. This causes some combination of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, chills or hot flashes, and light headedness.
Your blood pressure went up in response to the gastrointestinal problem. Blood pressure will rise with pain or other things that cause the body stress. With stress, the body releases adrenaline and cortisol, and this will raise the blood pressure. When the stress resolves, the blood pressure returns to normal.
If your blood pressure goes above 180 (systolic) or 110 (diastolic - i.e. the lower number), then do go in to the hospital ER so that they can monitor you while giving you additional medication to lower your blood pressure.
It sounds like your pressures are coming back down, so that is ok.
For your gut problem, consider taking Pepto Bismol, and drink clear fluids such as water, coconut water (not coconut milk) and other rehydration fluids that aren't high in sugar. Rice, toast, apple sauce are ok too. When you are feeling better, you can go back to eating as usual.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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