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What Causes Occasional Episode Of Abdominal Bloating And Nausea?
Question: male mid 40s with bloating with on off nausea all day. burping relieves a little. 4 bowel movements today, no blood in stool. taken pepto bismol, zantac.
Brief Answer:
most commonly due to viral infection of the GI tract
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
Diarrhea is defined as 3 or more loose stools a day, the most common reason for acute (recent onset) of diarrhea is an infection of the gastrointestinal tract.
These infections would also cause bloating, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, change in appetite- some or all of these may occur.
Viral infections are more common than bacterial infections, it is possible that you may have a viral infection.
Both are treated essentially the same way, in severe infections specific meds to treat the cause are needed but in most the treatment is symptomatic (treat symptoms only not cause).
This includes some of what you are already doing with the zantac and pepto bismol.
These can be continued.
In addition: (1) probiotics to help restore healthy bacteria would be helpful, these reduce the symptom days.
Can be used on their own or in yogurts.
(2)holding off solid food for a few hours , typically till there is a 4 hour window with no bowel movements, then restarting with dry foods
(3)fluids- since you have nausea, use small sips frequently, if this is tolerated, then you can increase the amount
In most cases, symptoms last less than a week, rarely up to 2 weeks
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
most commonly due to viral infection of the GI tract
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
Diarrhea is defined as 3 or more loose stools a day, the most common reason for acute (recent onset) of diarrhea is an infection of the gastrointestinal tract.
These infections would also cause bloating, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, change in appetite- some or all of these may occur.
Viral infections are more common than bacterial infections, it is possible that you may have a viral infection.
Both are treated essentially the same way, in severe infections specific meds to treat the cause are needed but in most the treatment is symptomatic (treat symptoms only not cause).
This includes some of what you are already doing with the zantac and pepto bismol.
These can be continued.
In addition: (1) probiotics to help restore healthy bacteria would be helpful, these reduce the symptom days.
Can be used on their own or in yogurts.
(2)holding off solid food for a few hours , typically till there is a 4 hour window with no bowel movements, then restarting with dry foods
(3)fluids- since you have nausea, use small sips frequently, if this is tolerated, then you can increase the amount
In most cases, symptoms last less than a week, rarely up to 2 weeks
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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