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How Can Slight Abdominal Pain, Nausea, Diarrhea And Slight Burning Pain In The Rectum During Defecation Be Treated?
Question: I have had a stomach virus since Sunday. Slight abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea. Abdominal pain and nausea almost completely gone. Loose bowels still remaining and slight burning pain in rectum when having a bowel movement.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
It sounds as though you are generally on the mend (assuming the loose stools are becoming less frequent overall).
If you don't have any chronic health problems, this should continue to improve. The main risks are dehydration if you are losing a lot of fluids, electrolytes imbalance from potassium loss, and as you are noting, anorectal irritation from the frequent stooling and wiping.
I recommend the following at this point:
1. Continue with increased water intake and if your muscles feel weak or achey, add in coconut water (NOT coconut milk). Coconut water has a very good balance of electrolytes and naturally occurring sugar. You can get it at many groceries or Walgreens. It does not taste very good in my opinion - just to warn you.
2. Add Pepto Bismol. You may not need much - possibly once or twice a day will be adequate to slow things down. Know that it can turn your stools (and tongue surface) a grayish black color so don't be alarmed by that. If you take other medications, space them out with taking Pepto Bismol because the bismuth can bind to them and decrease their absorption. (It also absorbs toxins released from bacteria, so that can be helpful.)
3. Foods that are more binding and can help slow down loose stools are rice, cooked thoroughly, possibly for longer than called for, with extra water. Also apple sauce/cooked apples (not raw apples) because of the soluble pectin fiber. Some people find bananas helpful but they can be tricky and sometimes cause more trouble if they are too ripe or under ripe.
If the loose stools do not resolve in the next 2 days, then it's time to see your doctor, but most likely you will be much better then. Also, if you have underlying health problems such as immunodeficiency (after or during cancer treatment), diabetes, or a history of intestinal problems (Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis), then please let me know as treatment needs to be more careful.
Regarding the payment - I don't have any access to that end of things, so I strongly advise you contact customer service to make sure they only charge you for this one question.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
It sounds as though you are generally on the mend (assuming the loose stools are becoming less frequent overall).
If you don't have any chronic health problems, this should continue to improve. The main risks are dehydration if you are losing a lot of fluids, electrolytes imbalance from potassium loss, and as you are noting, anorectal irritation from the frequent stooling and wiping.
I recommend the following at this point:
1. Continue with increased water intake and if your muscles feel weak or achey, add in coconut water (NOT coconut milk). Coconut water has a very good balance of electrolytes and naturally occurring sugar. You can get it at many groceries or Walgreens. It does not taste very good in my opinion - just to warn you.
2. Add Pepto Bismol. You may not need much - possibly once or twice a day will be adequate to slow things down. Know that it can turn your stools (and tongue surface) a grayish black color so don't be alarmed by that. If you take other medications, space them out with taking Pepto Bismol because the bismuth can bind to them and decrease their absorption. (It also absorbs toxins released from bacteria, so that can be helpful.)
3. Foods that are more binding and can help slow down loose stools are rice, cooked thoroughly, possibly for longer than called for, with extra water. Also apple sauce/cooked apples (not raw apples) because of the soluble pectin fiber. Some people find bananas helpful but they can be tricky and sometimes cause more trouble if they are too ripe or under ripe.
If the loose stools do not resolve in the next 2 days, then it's time to see your doctor, but most likely you will be much better then. Also, if you have underlying health problems such as immunodeficiency (after or during cancer treatment), diabetes, or a history of intestinal problems (Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis), then please let me know as treatment needs to be more careful.
Regarding the payment - I don't have any access to that end of things, so I strongly advise you contact customer service to make sure they only charge you for this one question.
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
Answered by
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