First Aid Handbook: Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea

A woman lies sick in bed
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Our team at Integrity Urgent Care knows that there isn’t really any sickness that feels particularly great to catch. We can all agree though, that when you are having nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, you want to know how to make it better as soon as possible. Our team is here to help you understand what may be causing these issues and how you can work through your symptoms until you can come see us in the clinic.

Causes

There can be a number of different causes of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Commonly, these issues are from something gastrointestinal. If we eat something that has gone bad or simply doesn’t agree with our system, our body will respond in a number of ways. By irritating the system, you could have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or some combination of all three for a few days. According to healthline.com, millions of people get food poisoning every year.

Gastrointestinal issues are not the only cause for these symptoms, some people with stress and anxiety will see their worries manifest with physical symptoms like these. It can be a self-perpetuating cycle, also, as stress causes this discomfort, which leads to more stress or anxiety, which leads to more symptoms. Pregnancy can also cause constant nausea and some vomiting, especially in the first trimester. Women that are having symptoms with frequency should mention it to their doctor at their next check-up.

Concerns

Occasionally, someone may have these symptoms and a larger issue may be present. They could be reacting to a medicine that doesn’t agree with their system or they could have been exposed to something significantly damaging to their body. Both heavy metal poisoning and radiation exposure could cause these symptoms. Additionally, if you are having these symptoms on a regular basis or for more than a few days, you need to see a physician to rule out certain conditions or illnesses and to potentially help you rehydrate your body.

Infants and toddlers who are having nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea should see a doctor as should patients who are fighting certain illnesses already. Additionally, if your diarrhea is bloody or you are experiencing signs of dehydration, you need to be seen immediately.

Care

The best way to fight these issues is with rest and hydration, as much as the body will allow. By sipping small amounts of water, clear broth, or sports drinks, your stomach may be able to handle fluids better than guzzling a large amount. If you can eat bland foods, like toast, plain rice, crackers, bananas, or apple sauce, you should try to give your body the extra nutrients it needs to fight off the irritation or virus and to replenish what has been lost. There are some medications that can help with diarrhea or that can fight nausea. Some also feel relief with ginger based chews for nausea.

If you are having these symptoms and need some relief, come see our team today. We can see if there is an underlying issue and help make you more comfortable. Our clinics are open every day from 8am to 8pm and we can help you with a number of medical issues.

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