Stomach pain and diarrhea can be caused by a stomach virus, food poisoning, anxiety, overindulgence, alcohol, or antibiotics. Dehydration can occur, causing weakness, dizziness, and decreased urine output. Remedies include drinking fluids and electrolytes, and hospitalization may be required for severe cases. Antidiarrheal medications and antibiotics may be needed. Resting the stomach and eating bland foods can help. Further medical evaluation may be needed for persistent symptoms.
Possible causes of stomach pain and diarrhea include a stomach virus, food poisoning, and anxiety. Also, overindulgence in rich foods, drinking alcoholic beverages, and taking antibiotics can cause these symptoms. While usually not serious, prolonged stomach pain and diarrhea can cause excessive fluid loss, leading to dehydration.
When dehydration occurs, people may feel weak; dizziness; dry and sticky mucous membranes; and decreased urine output, along with a decreased level of consciousness, fever, and headache. Fluids must be replenished promptly or kidney damage can occur. Typically, fluids and electrolytes can be replenished at home, but when dehydration is severe or vomiting and diarrhea persist, however, hospitalization may be required. This is especially true for young children and the elderly.
Remedies to restore fluid and electrolytes include drinking water, sports drinks, orange juice and bananas. When hospitalization is necessary, intravenous fluids and nutrients are usually started. Fortunately, diarrhea is usually temporary and can be resolved with over-the-counter and home remedies.
Common treatments for stomach pain and diarrhea include antidiarrheal medications that contain bismuth and medications that slow intestinal motility. While these medications are fast-acting and effective in treating diarrhea, they can sometimes cause constipation. It is important for patients to drink plenty of fluids while taking these medications to avoid constipation. When abdominal cramps and diarrhea are related to a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be needed. While antibiotics may temporarily make symptoms worse, they will clear away the offending bacterial infection.
When a person has stomach cramps and diarrhea, he should rest his stomach for a day or so by eating only bland foods and drinks. Warm, decaffeinated tea and rusks help prevent dehydration and won’t further irritate the stomach. Although many people have no appetite or desire to eat when they have an upset stomach, it’s important that they try to eat and drink small portions throughout the day to prevent weakness. Also, if your symptoms are accompanied by vomiting and an inability to hold anything down, you should let your doctor know so they can suggest an alternative treatment plan.
Many cases of abdominal cramps and diarrhea, however, have no obvious cause. These cases are usually short-lived and resolve as quickly as they started. When symptoms persist or worsen, further medical evaluation may be needed. A healthcare professional might recommend blood tests, stool samples, and X-rays to determine the cause of your symptoms, which can sometimes be related to colitis, diverticulitis, a parasitic infection, or food allergy.
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