What Causes Extreme Nausea, Diarrhea And Excessive Gas?

Posted on Fri, 20 Mar 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 20 Mar 2015 Answered on

Thu, 9 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Visited Southern California beach areas last week--Laguna/Newport area; day 1 warning signs were posted on one of the beaches regarding high levels of bacteria in water and did not go in the ocean. Day 3, while visiting a different beach area--no warnings were posted, there were numerous other swimmers/surfers in the water and I swam in the surf for 30 minutes. Within approximately 24 hours I started to experience extreme nausea and diarrhea, then excessive gas. I initially suspected food poisoning. However the diarrhea has continued for several days despite Imodium and probiotic for 3 days. I now suspect that I got some type of bacteria.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please follow the suggestions below...

Detailed Answer:
Hi
I read carefully your query and I understood your concerns.
Thank you for your detailed history.
YES, your symptoms are indicative of bowel infection so if I were your treating doctor I would recommend to perform fecal exams like coproculture,fecal occult blood, candida and blood work.
If you still continue having diarrhea, please follow the suggestions below
-take plenty of water
-continue probiotic still 5-7 days
- hydramine 3 packs per day
- You can start antibiotic like ciprofloxacin (firstly take feces for coproculture exam).After fecal exams results you can start the proper treatment with a specific antibiotic.
Wishing you all the best
Dr.Kler

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar