Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Stomach Ache After Trying To Eat Some Food, Some Instant
Question: Stomach ache after trying to eat some food, some instant diarrhea, thought it got better, but it is now ongoing for 10 days, loss of appetite. Not obvious what caused this, cannot really track it down to a bad meal or so, however, my husband has similar symptoms
Brief Answer:
hold off solids, probiotics, liquids
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Diarrhea, especially if prolonged, can be frustrating to deal with.
Treatment generally involves: (1) Hold off ANY solids till there is a 4 hour window with no diarrhea AT ALL. When 4 hours pass, with no symptoms then you can try use a very small amount of the light foods ( toast, plain rice, biscuits)
If this is tolerated, then the amount of foods can be increased and the type gradually varied
If foods is used before the intestines and stomach are ready then it prolongs the diarrhea , it delays healing
(2)probiotics- these help to restore the normal bacteria in the colon and help to shorten the course of diarrhea
They can either be used on their own or you can use greek yogurt or another plain yogurt with probiotics
(3)do not use meds to hold off the diarrhea eg lomitil etc
These medications can actually sometimes stop the virus or bacterial (most commonly a virus) from clearing the colon and prolong the illness
(4)make sure to stay hydrated, each time you have a loose stool, you should use liquids to replace the fluid that you are losing.
Rehydration drinks specific for diarrhea or dilute sports drinks (to reduce sugar content) can be used
The sugar content needs to be reduced in the sports drinks because sugar can worsen diarrhea- it goes in the intestines and pulls fluids along with it
if the symptoms are severe or there is no improvement then you should be seen
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
hold off solids, probiotics, liquids
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Diarrhea, especially if prolonged, can be frustrating to deal with.
Treatment generally involves: (1) Hold off ANY solids till there is a 4 hour window with no diarrhea AT ALL. When 4 hours pass, with no symptoms then you can try use a very small amount of the light foods ( toast, plain rice, biscuits)
If this is tolerated, then the amount of foods can be increased and the type gradually varied
If foods is used before the intestines and stomach are ready then it prolongs the diarrhea , it delays healing
(2)probiotics- these help to restore the normal bacteria in the colon and help to shorten the course of diarrhea
They can either be used on their own or you can use greek yogurt or another plain yogurt with probiotics
(3)do not use meds to hold off the diarrhea eg lomitil etc
These medications can actually sometimes stop the virus or bacterial (most commonly a virus) from clearing the colon and prolong the illness
(4)make sure to stay hydrated, each time you have a loose stool, you should use liquids to replace the fluid that you are losing.
Rehydration drinks specific for diarrhea or dilute sports drinks (to reduce sugar content) can be used
The sugar content needs to be reduced in the sports drinks because sugar can worsen diarrhea- it goes in the intestines and pulls fluids along with it
if the symptoms are severe or there is no improvement then you should be seen
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
