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What Causes Lightheadedness After Having Vomiting And Diarrhea?

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Posted on Mon, 19 Jan 2015
Question: Hi there, i started vomiting about 3 days ago and had diarrhea. Since then ive started feeling spacey and weird. What can i do?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
due to fluid and electrolyte loss

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

It is likely due to the loss of electrolytes and fluid from the vomiting and diarrhea.

There is loss of potassium, chloride, sodium etc .

This is the reason to use adequate replacement fluids. Water and juices alone will not give back what was loss.
You may want to try either sports drinks like gatorade (these normally contain electrolytes) or buy a pack of oral rehydration therapy/fluids from your local pharmacy.

The use of probiotics would help to shorten the course of this illness because they restore normal intestinal bacteria.
Can be obtained on their own or you can use yogurts with probiotics eg activa, greek yogurts

There are medications that you can use to help decrease the vomiting eg peptobismol, dramamine

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (13 minutes later)
I just feel really anxious like something bad is going to happen. I just dont feel in my body and am scared to lie down etc
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
consciously change thoughts

Detailed Answer:
HI

When a person is not feeling well physically, it can sometimes be normal to panic and worry that the illness or abnormal sensations are related to a severe conditions.

In your case, the 'spacey' feeling is related to loss of electrolytes and fluids.
To decrease your anxiety, you would need to remind yourself of this when the panic/anxiety set it. Don't dwell on these thoughts for now, as soon as you recognize them, change them.
It needs to be a conscious effort to remind yourself that you are fine.

This is almost like cognitive therapy where the aim is to change the thought processes.

In addition, distraction may also help. If you have a hobby or some interest that relaxes you then you need to do it.

Please feel free to ask anything else
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. Dr. Michelle Gibson

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16835 Questions

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What Causes Lightheadedness After Having Vomiting And Diarrhea?

Brief Answer: due to fluid and electrolyte loss Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic It is likely due to the loss of electrolytes and fluid from the vomiting and diarrhea. There is loss of potassium, chloride, sodium etc . This is the reason to use adequate replacement fluids. Water and juices alone will not give back what was loss. You may want to try either sports drinks like gatorade (these normally contain electrolytes) or buy a pack of oral rehydration therapy/fluids from your local pharmacy. The use of probiotics would help to shorten the course of this illness because they restore normal intestinal bacteria. Can be obtained on their own or you can use yogurts with probiotics eg activa, greek yogurts There are medications that you can use to help decrease the vomiting eg peptobismol, dramamine I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions