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What Causes Sudden Nausea, Diarrhea And Vomiting?
My daughter, age 15 1/2 yrs has been experiencing what appears to be a gastrointestinal virus. It began 10 days ago. Sudden onset of nausea vomiting diarrhea stomach pain, headache. weakness, and needs to sleep. Bought OTC meds for symptoms and they subsided enough for her to take exams the two days following. Initially changed her to standard bland diet - Gatorade (blue) , saltines, dry toast, plain baked potato, rice etc Symptoms diminish for half day or so and then as she introduces more variety of the bland foods, symptoms return with greater frequency. Have consulted with pediatrician twice and she was seen again two days ago - CBC normal, urine specimen normal, etc. Shes had no blood in vomit or stool. She had much better day yesterday, had more firm light bowel movement - but awoke during night - nausea and vomiting once and then nausea weakness diarrhea multiple times today. I have researched symptoms of ulcer, and various other gastrointestinal maladies...... Could it be parasite based ? We ve checked for ticks, spider bites, etc. anything out of the ordinary. This mom is at a loss !
Fri, 21 Sep 2018
Hello,
Sounds like your daughter is having a case of severe gastroenteritis. Does she have a fever? You must watch her for signs of dehydration. Like doughy feel to the skin, dry lips and tongue, dry skin or reduced frequency of urination. If she is not dehydrated, let me suggest that you give her nothing by mouth until there has been a six to eight hour period with no vomiting. Then offer her 1-2 tablespoonfuls of crushed ice chips. Repeat this in two hours if there has been no vomiting. In another two hours allow her to drink 2-3 ounces of room temperature kept Pedialyte, apple, or pear juice. Every hour afterwards let your daughter have 2-4 ounces of these liquids or a Popsicle or Jell-O.
This protocol is 10-12 hours in duration. I hope that it will allow time for her stomach to settle down. I hope that she will be hungry then.
If so, you may allow her to have anything she wishes to eat (because her intestines need nutrition for repair). She can have the same beverages; however, if she wants cola or ginger ale, make sure these are flat. I would look for her to regain her energy and be sleeping less in a couple of days. With a parasitic infection of the gastrointestinal tract, there is usually no vomiting. Insect bites leave a bite mark on the skin.
Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Arnold Zedd, MD, FAAP
Sounds like your daughter is having a case of severe gastroenteritis. Does she have a fever? You must watch her for signs of dehydration. Like doughy feel to the skin, dry lips and tongue, dry skin or reduced frequency of urination. If she is not dehydrated, let me suggest that you give her nothing by mouth until there has been a six to eight hour period with no vomiting. Then offer her 1-2 tablespoonfuls of crushed ice chips. Repeat this in two hours if there has been no vomiting. In another two hours allow her to drink 2-3 ounces of room temperature kept Pedialyte, apple, or pear juice. Every hour afterwards let your daughter have 2-4 ounces of these liquids or a Popsicle or Jell-O.
This protocol is 10-12 hours in duration. I hope that it will allow time for her stomach to settle down. I hope that she will be hungry then.
If so, you may allow her to have anything she wishes to eat (because her intestines need nutrition for repair). She can have the same beverages; however, if she wants cola or ginger ale, make sure these are flat. I would look for her to regain her energy and be sleeping less in a couple of days. With a parasitic infection of the gastrointestinal tract, there is usually no vomiting. Insect bites leave a bite mark on the skin.
Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Arnold Zedd, MD, FAAP
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