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I ASuggest Treatment For Gastroenteritis

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Posted on Thu, 24 Jul 2014
Question: I am traveling in the USA and vomited this morning 4x's approx 30 -45 mins apart. Since then I have had severe diarrhea every 30-45 mins. Stomach cramping started a couple hours ago, but is not so severe. I have never had anything like this happen to me before. The last meal I ate was around 8:00pm last night. No other symptoms. I am to travel home via air tomorrow afternoon, so am wondering if I should go to the hospital. All of this started about 10 hours ago. Thank you for your guidance.
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
fluids. probiotics, peptobismol, no food

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic

The onset of gastroenteritis can vary from minutes to hours after the meal that caused the infection. Gastroenteritis can be due to viral or bacterial infection though viral infections are more common.

In most persons, it can be treated at home.

(1)The most important aspect of treatment is preventing or treating dehydration.

You would be losing fluid due to the vomiting and diarrhoea. It is important to replace it. Oral rehydration packs or solutions would be the best option because they would give you back your fluids as well as the salts you are losing.

These are usually available over the counter at your local pharmacy. If not available you can use gatorade (dilute to half to reduce sugar)

Drink small amounts at a time, if you use a lot at once, you would vomit. You should use 1 tsp to 1 tbs every 5 minutes for 1 hour. If you tolerate this then increase the amount slightly.

(2)Probiotics- either as supplements or in foods such as yogurts, also help to shorten the course of gastroenteritis

(3)pepto bismol would help with the nausea and diarrhoea. Would also help with any symptoms of indigestion

(4)avoid food for the next 12 to 24 hours. Drink. If you eat, it will provoke the diarrhoea.
When your symptoms are lessening you can try using very small amounts

Summary : (1)drink enough fluids, drink small amounts and increase slowly
(2)probiotics
(3)pepto bismol
(4)avoid solid food

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
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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I ASuggest Treatment For Gastroenteritis

Brief Answer: fluids. probiotics, peptobismol, no food Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic The onset of gastroenteritis can vary from minutes to hours after the meal that caused the infection. Gastroenteritis can be due to viral or bacterial infection though viral infections are more common. In most persons, it can be treated at home. (1)The most important aspect of treatment is preventing or treating dehydration. You would be losing fluid due to the vomiting and diarrhoea. It is important to replace it. Oral rehydration packs or solutions would be the best option because they would give you back your fluids as well as the salts you are losing. These are usually available over the counter at your local pharmacy. If not available you can use gatorade (dilute to half to reduce sugar) Drink small amounts at a time, if you use a lot at once, you would vomit. You should use 1 tsp to 1 tbs every 5 minutes for 1 hour. If you tolerate this then increase the amount slightly. (2)Probiotics- either as supplements or in foods such as yogurts, also help to shorten the course of gastroenteritis (3)pepto bismol would help with the nausea and diarrhoea. Would also help with any symptoms of indigestion (4)avoid food for the next 12 to 24 hours. Drink. If you eat, it will provoke the diarrhoea. When your symptoms are lessening you can try using very small amounts Summary : (1)drink enough fluids, drink small amounts and increase slowly (2)probiotics (3)pepto bismol (4)avoid solid food I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions