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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Gastroenteritis?
Question: Hi Doctor, I have had a very bad stomach ache since sunday along with frequent diarrhea, headache and small fever. I suspect it to be from food poisoning. now since yesterday I haven't had a fever and the headaches stopped but the stomach ache and diarrhea has not stopped. I am a little XXXXXXX of energy but still able to walk around. I have tried taken ginger, I've been drinking plenty of water, I've been drinking tea, I have tried imodium today and Tylenol yesterday. The Tylenol honestly is the only thing that relieved the pain. I feel very bloaty and gassy kind of pain and when my stomach bubbles, then its time for the bathroom. do you have any suggestions before I wait overnight at the emergency room?
Brief Answer:
Detailed instructions follow: please read on
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
your description seems like a gastroenteritis. The cause of the gastroenteritis cannot be approached with the current data. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. Important questions include:
- how high was your fever?
- did you see blood in your stool?
- how many times did you pass diarrhea? Can you estimate the volume? Was it a small quantity most of the times or not?
- do you have other medical conditions? Do you take any medication?
If it is indeed a gastroenteritis then :
- high fever, bloody diarrhea more than 5 times/day denotes a more serious illness and antibiotic treatment is usually given.
- if no high fever and no blood exists in the stool then imodium can be given.
- tylenol is safe to use but you should follow instructions regarding its use so that you don't take too much of it.
- you should replenish lost fluids (water, juice etc).
- avoid fiber, dairy products and fatty foods because they will worsen your diarrhea.
- if you have diarrhea for more than consecutive days and no sign of improvement then a stool culture would be appropriate.
- you should check your blood pressure regularly. A drop in your blood pressure would endanger your kidneys and ultimately your health. In such a case you should probably go to the hospital for intravenous fluid administration.
I believe I've given you the most basic instructions for your condition.
If you have further questions, please ask. I'll be glad to answer.
Kind Regards!
Detailed instructions follow: please read on
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
your description seems like a gastroenteritis. The cause of the gastroenteritis cannot be approached with the current data. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. Important questions include:
- how high was your fever?
- did you see blood in your stool?
- how many times did you pass diarrhea? Can you estimate the volume? Was it a small quantity most of the times or not?
- do you have other medical conditions? Do you take any medication?
If it is indeed a gastroenteritis then :
- high fever, bloody diarrhea more than 5 times/day denotes a more serious illness and antibiotic treatment is usually given.
- if no high fever and no blood exists in the stool then imodium can be given.
- tylenol is safe to use but you should follow instructions regarding its use so that you don't take too much of it.
- you should replenish lost fluids (water, juice etc).
- avoid fiber, dairy products and fatty foods because they will worsen your diarrhea.
- if you have diarrhea for more than consecutive days and no sign of improvement then a stool culture would be appropriate.
- you should check your blood pressure regularly. A drop in your blood pressure would endanger your kidneys and ultimately your health. In such a case you should probably go to the hospital for intravenous fluid administration.
I believe I've given you the most basic instructions for your condition.
If you have further questions, please ask. I'll be glad to answer.
Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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