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What Causes Persistent Vomiting And Diarrhea?
Question: My sister has had vomiting and diahrria for two weeks - the emergency room gave her anIV and sent her home. I am concerned because she is 78 years old
Brief Answer:
Acute gastroenteritis most likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Firstly thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query.
As per your query most likely she is having acute gastroenteritis.
Gastroenteritis is inflammation of gastric mucosa. Most commonly its viral.Viral gastroenteritis usually limits itself in 7-10 days. Initially i would advice you to go for stool routine and microscopy test to rule out to rule out Bacterial or Protozoal infection. As therapy with antibiotic has to be taken if its bacterial or protozoal enteritis.
For watery stools give imodium (Loperamide) 4mg twiice daily
Take a probiotic twice daily.It repletes the disturbed gastric flora hence making digestion better.
Apart from that Metamucil should be taken twice daily.It will increase bulk of stool and bowels normal.
Take Zofran 4mg twice daily to relieve you from nausea.
Try to give her a take lot of electrolytre's (sodium and potassium).
General precautions-
Eat light and easily digestible food.
Avoid meat egg and fatty food.
Try boiled food(Vegetables) with spices and herbs for a week.
Drink plenty of orange juice and coconut water(As salts lost in stools are repleted muscle aches would go away).
Keep yourself hydrated.
Keep a watch on her blood pressure if systolic is less then 100mm of hg then i.v therapy would be required.
Follow up with reports of stool test.
Its self limiting and with proper therapy would end in a few days.
Thanks
Acute gastroenteritis most likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Firstly thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query.
As per your query most likely she is having acute gastroenteritis.
Gastroenteritis is inflammation of gastric mucosa. Most commonly its viral.Viral gastroenteritis usually limits itself in 7-10 days. Initially i would advice you to go for stool routine and microscopy test to rule out to rule out Bacterial or Protozoal infection. As therapy with antibiotic has to be taken if its bacterial or protozoal enteritis.
For watery stools give imodium (Loperamide) 4mg twiice daily
Take a probiotic twice daily.It repletes the disturbed gastric flora hence making digestion better.
Apart from that Metamucil should be taken twice daily.It will increase bulk of stool and bowels normal.
Take Zofran 4mg twice daily to relieve you from nausea.
Try to give her a take lot of electrolytre's (sodium and potassium).
General precautions-
Eat light and easily digestible food.
Avoid meat egg and fatty food.
Try boiled food(Vegetables) with spices and herbs for a week.
Drink plenty of orange juice and coconut water(As salts lost in stools are repleted muscle aches would go away).
Keep yourself hydrated.
Keep a watch on her blood pressure if systolic is less then 100mm of hg then i.v therapy would be required.
Follow up with reports of stool test.
Its self limiting and with proper therapy would end in a few days.
Thanks
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Answered by
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