Nonspecific Vomiting and Diarrhea (Adult)

Vomiting and diarrhea can have many causes, including:

• Helping your body get rid of harmful substances.
• Gastroenteritis caused by viruses, parasites, bacteria, or toxins.
• Allergy to or side effect of a food or medicine.
• Severe stress or worry (anxiety).
• Other illnesses.
• Pregnancy.

It's often hard to pinpoint an exact cause, even with testing. Vomiting and diarrhea often go away within a day or two without problems. But if these symptoms continue, it may lead to too much loss of fluid (dehydration). This can be serious if not treated.

• You may use acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). These include ibuprofen or naproxen to control fever, unless another medicine was prescribed. If you have chronic liver or kidney disease, talk with your provider before using these medicines. Talk with your provider if you've had a stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding. Don't give aspirin to anyone under 18 years of age who is ill with a fever. It may cause a serious illness called Reye's syndrome that may result in severe disease or even death. Don't use NSAIDs if you are already taking one for another condition (like arthritis) or if you are taking aspirin (such as for heart disease or after a stroke) or a blood thinner.
• If you were prescribed medicine, take it as directed. Finish the prescription even if you feel better.
• Don't take anti-diarrhea or anti-vomiting medicines without asking your provider first.

• If symptoms are severe, rest at home for the next 24 hours, or until you are feeling better.
• Wash your hands with soap and clean, running water, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. This is the best way to stop the spread of infection. Wash your hands after touching anyone who is sick.
• Wash your hands after using the toilet and before meals. Clean the toilet after each use.
• Dry your hands with a single-use disposable towel.
• Caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol can make the diarrhea, cramping, and pain worse. Remember, caffeine is not only in coffee. It's also is in chocolate, some energy drinks, some soft drinks, and teas.

• Drinking water and clear liquids is important so you don't get dehydrated. Take a small amount at a time, but frequently. Don't gulp down the drinks. That may increase your nausea, make cramping worse, and cause the drinks to come back up.
• Sports drinks may help if you are healthy and not too dehydrated. But they have too much sugar and not enough electrolytes and can sometimes make things worse. And don't drink beverages that are too acidic, like orange juice and grape juice.
• If you are very dehydrated, products called an oral rehydration solution (ORS) may help. You can get them at most grocery stores and pharmacies. This drink contains a balanced amount of glucose (a sugar) and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride). These substances are lost during vomiting and diarrhea. It is the best first-line treatment and is available over the counter.

Follow these important tips:

• Don't force yourself to eat, especially if you have cramps, diarrhea, or vomiting. Eat just a little at a time, and then wait a few minutes before you try to eat more.
• Don't eat fatty, greasy, spicy, or fried foods.
• Don't eat dairy products if you have diarrhea. They can make it worse.

During the first 24 hours (the first full day), follow this diet:

• Beverages: ORS, sports drinks, soft drinks without caffeine, mineral water, and decaffeinated tea and coffee.
• Soups: Clear broth, consommé, and bouillon.
• Desserts: Plain gelatin, ice pops, and fruit juice bars.

During the next 24 hours (the second day), if you're feeling better, you may add:

• Hot cereal, plain toast, bread, rolls, crackers.
• Plain noodles, rice, mashed potatoes, chicken noodle or rice soup.
• Unsweetened canned fruit (avoid pineapple), bananas.
• Limited fats. Avoid margarine, butter, oils, mayonnaise, sauces, gravies, fried foods, peanut butter, meat, poultry, and fish.
• Limited fiber. Avoid raw or cooked vegetables, fresh fruits (except bananas), and bran cereals.
• Caffeine and chocolate, but limit these.
• Salt, but no other spices or seasonings.

During the next 24 hours (the third day):

• Gradually resume a normal diet, as you feel better and your symptoms improve.
• If at any time your symptoms start getting worse again, go back to clear liquids until you feel better.

• If you have diarrhea, do not prepare food for others. When preparing foods, wash your hands before and after.
• Wash your hands or use alcohol-based sanitizer after using cutting boards, counter tops, and knives that have been in contact with raw food.
• Dry your hands with a single-use disposable towel.
• Keep uncooked meats away from cooked and ready-to-eat foods.

Follow up with your provider, or as advised. Call if you don't get better in the next 2 to 3 days. If a stool (diarrhea) sample was taken, or cultures done, you will be told if they are positive, or if your treatment needs to be changed. You may call, as directed, for the results.

If X-rays were taken, you will be notified of any new findings that may affect your care.

Call 911 if:

• You have trouble breathing.
• You have chest pain.
• You have confusion.
• You're severely drowsy or have trouble waking up.
• You faint or lose consciousness.
• Your heart rate is rapid.
• You have a seizure.
• You have a stiff neck.
• You have severe weakness, dizziness, or lightheadedness.

Call your health care provider right away if:

• You have bloody or black vomit or stools (Seek medical care immediately if there is a lot of blood).
• You have severe, steady belly pain or any belly pain that is getting worse.
• You have a severe headache or stiff neck.
• You can't hold down even sips of liquids for more than 12 hours.
• You have vomiting that lasts more than 24 hours.
• You have diarrhea that lasts more than 24 hours.
• You have a fever of 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher, or as directed by your provider.
• There's a yellowish color to your skin or the whites of your eyes.
• You show signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, little urine (less than every 6 hours), or very dark urine.