Symptoms of Nausea and Diarrhea: Root Causes, Remedies, and Seeking Medical Advice
In the human body, nausea and diarrhea are often interconnected, with their common causes primarily stemming from issues affecting the digestive system. These problems can be due to infections, food-related issues, chronic digestive diseases, or medication effects, all of which disturb the normal function and integrity of the gastrointestinal tract.
Infections, such as viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections, are major culprits. Viruses like norovirus or rotavirus, bacteria such as *E. coli*, *Salmonella*, *Shigella*, *Campylobacter*, and parasites like *Giardia* can infect the gastrointestinal tract, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
Food poisoning, caused by consuming contaminated food or drink containing bacteria, viruses, or parasites, is another common cause. Symptoms typically include nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain and cramping, fever, and vomiting.
Food intolerances and allergies, such as lactose intolerance and celiac disease, can also provoke chronic digestive symptoms. These sensitivities cause inflammation and digestive disruption when certain foods are consumed.
Chronic digestive disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and infections like *Clostridium difficile* or *H. pylori* infection, can cause long-term or recurrent nausea and diarrhea with associated stomach pain.
Some medications and chemical exposure can also trigger nausea and diarrhea.
Pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, can also cause nausea and diarrhea. Treatments for pancreatitis include painkillers, managing dehydration, bowel rest, surgery, and other medical interventions. Acute pancreatitis is a short-term condition, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term one.
Pregnancy-related causes of nausea include morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum. Treatments for pregnancy-related nausea include eating bland foods, avoiding foods or smells that cause nausea, eating ginger supplements, and drinking small amounts of water, weak tea, or clear soft drinks regularly.
Diverticulitis, a condition where pouches form in the colon lining and can become inflamed or infected, can cause severe symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pain during urination, fever, bloody stools, constipation, and frequent urination. Treatment for diverticulitis includes eating a high-fiber diet, taking fiber supplements, antibiotics, and in rare cases, surgery.
Crohn's disease, a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, can also lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach aches and cramps, and weight loss. Treatments for Crohn's disease include anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, antibiotics, immunosuppressants, drinking plenty of fluids, and oral electrolyte replacements.
In most cases, a surgeon will perform keyhole or open surgery to remove the appendix in cases of appendicitis. Symptoms of appendicitis include stomach pain in the center of the abdomen, which then moves to the lower right-hand side.
People with both types of pancreatitis usually experience pain in the upper stomach that spreads to their back. If adults show any signs of dehydration, severe vomiting, vomiting that lasts longer than 12 hours, diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days, becoming irritable, high fever, severe abdominal pain, stools that are black and tarry or contain blood or pus, heavy or constant rectal bleeding, or if children, older adults, or pregnant women experience chronic nausea and diarrhea, they should seek medical help.
People with celiac disease should avoid consuming gluten, and once they do, their intestines may heal, and symptoms will improve. Celiac disease is a digestive disorder where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues when a person eats foods containing gluten.
Viral gastroenteritis, an infection of the intestines, is caused by several viruses, but most commonly by the norovirus. It is contagious and can be spread through contact with infected individuals or contaminated food and water. A person with viral gastroenteritis may become dehydrated and can prevent this by drinking lots of fluids, taking oral electrolyte replacements, and getting plenty of rest.
Symptoms of viral gastroenteritis include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain or cramping, headaches, and dehydration. Treatment for viral gastroenteritis usually does not require hospitalisation, and over-the-counter medications such as loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) can help reduce diarrhea symptoms.
Pancreatitis affects around [number] people in the United States each year and treatment usually takes place in the hospital and depends on the severity of the condition.
References: [1] https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diarrhea [2] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diarrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20355890 [3] https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/inflammatory-bowel-disease-ibd/ibd-symptoms-causes [4] https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/ibs-causes-risk-factors
- The safety of some medications and the effects of chemical exposure can occasionally lead to diarrhea and nausea.
- Pfizer's Paxlovid, a medication used in treating COVID-19, has been known to cause side effects such as diarrhea and nausea.
- In the context of health and wellness, understanding food poisoning symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting is crucial for maintaining digestive health.
- Celiac disease, a medical-condition affecting digestive health, requires individuals to refrain from consuming gluten to prevent blocked digestion.
- In the morning, people with gastroenteritis often experience symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting due to the disruption in their digestive system.
- Diarrhea and diarrhea-related sickness are common in chronic diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Retargeting strategies in digital marketing should avoid triggering contextual discomfort, such as promoting food products to an audience recovering from food poisoning and experiencing diarrhea.
- Nutritionists often recommend nutrient-rich foods for individuals recovering from diseases like gastroenteritis, which can cause diarrhea and lead to dehydration.
- Science has highlighted the link between symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting in women with certain health-and-wellness concerns, such as autoimmune disorders and hormonal imbalances associated with menstruation.
- The fitness-and-exercise community often emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition and hydration to prevent diarrhea and maintain digestive-health, especially after intense workouts.
- Women's health can be impacted by various conditions, including diseases that cause diarrhea, such as bacterial vaginosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Parenting involves educating oneself on various health issues that children might experience, including gastroenteritis, which causes symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration.
- Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, can potentially lead to side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and other digestive issues.
- People suffering from respiratory conditions may experience complications like diarrhea due to an increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections and diseases.
- In cases of severe, persistent diarrhea, consulting a medical professional is essential to rule out potentially chronic digestive diseases or underlying conditions such as pancreatitis, celiac disease, or Crohn's disease.
- Skin-care regimens should be tailored to individual medical-conditions, taking into account specific needs, such as the potential diarrhea side effects of certain medications or the management of chronic digestive diseases.
