HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Food Poisoning, Diarrhea And Stomach Pain

default
Posted on Sat, 23 Jan 2016
Question: Hi,

In the morning yesterday, I started experiencing loose stools. Later in the day I also started getting mild stomach ache, that would come and go. Then by the evening the stomach ache increased and by late night, it became a little worse. I took Ornidazole and Ofloxacin tablet and a Probiotic capsule in the night around 9:00 PM but it did not provide any relief in the pain or loose/frequent stools. I am right now feeling very uncomfortable because of this. There is a constant slight pain in the abdominal area - it's a weird feeling.

Please suggest appropriate medicines and for how long I have to take them. Any precautions in diet? Should I avoid milk and dairy products?

Please be detailed.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
ORS is the mainstay of treatment.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through the details and it seems that you have suffered from food poisoning. Unless associated with passage of bloody stools antibiotics are not required and irrespective of the use of antibiotics, it will take 3-5 days to recover. However, since you have started antibiotics, you need to complete the full course of 5 days in order to avoid development of antibiotic resistance. The mainstay of treatment is actually ORS (oral rehydration solution) for replenishment of the salt and water lost. You may take some antispasmodics like Decolic (dicyclomine) which will help in relieving the abdominal pain.

The urine output needs to be monitored. If the urine output comes down, it indicates that fluid intake is not adequate. Unless you increase ORS or fluid intake, the problem may become serious.

It is preferable to avoid milk and dairy products for the time being.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (42 minutes later)
Hi Doctor,

I am not too sure if it's food poisoning or I have caught cold, but are you saying I don't need to take any medicine? Actually I just took one dose of antibiotic and I don't want to continue using it unless it is absolutely necessary. I am having slow constant pain in the abdominal area with frequent loose stools. Will I be okay in the 3-4 days If I just take ORS? Can I take Intraconal to stop pain? Shall I also take probiotics?

Please advise.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It is very bad policy to take only one dose of antibiotic

Detailed Answer:
While food poisoning relates to the gastrointestinal system and presents with gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting or diarrhoea; catching cold relates to the respiratory system and presents with respiratory symptoms of cough, wheezing or respiratory distress. Catching cold will not present with loose stools.

A single dose of antibiotic is like a single missile on your enemy. All you are doing is to stimulate a counter attack. You should either launch a full scale attack and slay your enemy, or you should resolve the conflict through other means. It is a very bad policy to take a single dose of antibiotic. Entraquinol (not Intraconal) does not stop pain, it is just another antibiotic.

You should take ORS definitely. The resolution usually occurs in 3-4 days. Sometime it may be fine just by the next day, at other times it may take some more time.

Curd or yogurt contains plenty of beneficial bacteria, same as those contained by probiotics. Taking curd would be fine. If you do not want to take curd, take probiotics.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)
Thanks for the insights doctor. So I am going to take the following medication for next 4-5 days.

ORS
Taxim OZ (Ornidazole + Cefixime)
Probiotic

Is there anything I can take to avoid the abdominal pain/cramps? That's bothering me the most. Also, please let me know when can I start going back to the Gym? Can I workout at home if not the Gym? Also, should I avoid protein powders, protein foods, nuts, etc. for now?

I am taking moong di daal for now.

Looking forward.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Dicyclomine will help in dealing with your cramps.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks again for writing back.

Please continue to take ORS, Taxim OZ and probiotics for the next few days. The probiotics are optional and you can replace them with curd or yogurt. About the pain and cramps (which is typical of a food poisoning), taking decolic (dicyclomine) tablet as required, should help.

You can workout from home or gym. Protein powders are useless anyway and it is upto you if you want to continue to take them. The broth from boiled chicken or the porridge/potion made from boiling pulses (moong dal), are much better options but do not come with advertisement.

The next time you get another episode of food poisoning, please avoid taking even a single dose of antibiotic unless you have blood in your stool.

Regards
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1954

Answered : 4467 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Food Poisoning, Diarrhea And Stomach Pain

Brief Answer: ORS is the mainstay of treatment. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone carefully through the details and it seems that you have suffered from food poisoning. Unless associated with passage of bloody stools antibiotics are not required and irrespective of the use of antibiotics, it will take 3-5 days to recover. However, since you have started antibiotics, you need to complete the full course of 5 days in order to avoid development of antibiotic resistance. The mainstay of treatment is actually ORS (oral rehydration solution) for replenishment of the salt and water lost. You may take some antispasmodics like Decolic (dicyclomine) which will help in relieving the abdominal pain. The urine output needs to be monitored. If the urine output comes down, it indicates that fluid intake is not adequate. Unless you increase ORS or fluid intake, the problem may become serious. It is preferable to avoid milk and dairy products for the time being. Regards