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What Causes Watery Diarrhea, Cramps And Abdominal Gas?
Question: I have had watery diarhhea for 5 days with severe cramping, lots of gas. The first three days had an elevated temp of 100-101. Have tried diet changes, immodium and no relief. Not sure what it is or if I should go to Er.
Brief Answer:
no solid food, probiotics, medications, oral rehydration
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
This is most often due to a viral or bacterial infection of the gastrointestinal tract.
IN the majority of cases, the infection resolves on its own. If you are noticing blood or the diarrhea is progressively worsening, then you should be seen.
Home treatment generally consists of: (1)holding off ALL solid food till there is a 4 hour window with no symptoms.
The intestines are not able to absorb any solid food at this time and if used, it may aggravate the illness and delay healing
When this time frame occurs, then you should start with very small amounts of dry food such as toast, biscuits, rice- BRAT diet
(2)continue the liquids- gatorade to make sure that you replace the fluids and electrolytes that you are losing
(3)use tums, pepcid, zantac etc to help reduce the air/gas. These are over the counter medications
(4)add probiotics- probiotics help replace the body's natural bacteria in the gut and shorten the course of diarrhea eg culturelle , align
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
no solid food, probiotics, medications, oral rehydration
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
This is most often due to a viral or bacterial infection of the gastrointestinal tract.
IN the majority of cases, the infection resolves on its own. If you are noticing blood or the diarrhea is progressively worsening, then you should be seen.
Home treatment generally consists of: (1)holding off ALL solid food till there is a 4 hour window with no symptoms.
The intestines are not able to absorb any solid food at this time and if used, it may aggravate the illness and delay healing
When this time frame occurs, then you should start with very small amounts of dry food such as toast, biscuits, rice- BRAT diet
(2)continue the liquids- gatorade to make sure that you replace the fluids and electrolytes that you are losing
(3)use tums, pepcid, zantac etc to help reduce the air/gas. These are over the counter medications
(4)add probiotics- probiotics help replace the body's natural bacteria in the gut and shorten the course of diarrhea eg culturelle , align
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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