Our aim is to give you the best information on the web. This website will give you up to date, relevant useful information and guides on a huge range of topics.

 


Category: Health - Vomiting and Diarrhoea
 

 

 

 

DIARRHOEA AND VOMITING

 

Vomiting and diarrhoea usually occur as a result of a bacterial or viral infection of the gut. Vomiting may last for 4 - 6 hours and loose, watery bowel motions (diarrhoea) can go on for 3 or more days. Stomach pains or cramps may also occur. The body can lose a lot of fluid through vomiting and diarrhoea, causing dehydration. Dehydration can cause serious, even life-threatening 'Dehydration Illness' especially in the very young or very old. Ask your pharmacist about suitable treatments for you and your family.

 

CAUSES

Viral infections of the gut - Viruses are common causes of gastroenteritis ('gastro'). The infection starts ~vith sudden onset and often vomiting occurs before any diarrhoea. Often the first symptoms are those of a cold and perhaps a cough. In most cases the infection is short-lived lasting 2-3 davs, although diarrhoea may last a little longer.

 

Bacterial infections of the gut - These infections are the cause of food poisoning. Symptoms usuallv occur 12--18 hours after eating infected food. There is a sudden onset of frequent diarrhoea, stomach pains (often described as a 'colicky' pain) and vomiting.

 

Other Infections - In some patients, especially infants and small children, diarrhoea and/or vomiting can be a sign of serious illness, such as blood poisoning. If vour child appears very unwell, or is not taking fluids orally, or you are otherwise concerned, see vour doctor immediatelv.

 

Chronic diarrhoea - Recurring or persistent diarrhoea mav be as a result of an irritable bow'el or inflammation of the bowel. See vour doctor if vou have frequent bouts of diarrhoea or if diarrhoea persists longer than 2-3 davs. Iii rare cases in adults, a chronic change in bowel habit can be a sign of cancer of the gut. If this sort of change occurs, see vour doctor straight away.

 

Medicines - Some medicines may cause diarrhoea and vomiting. Talk to your pharmacist if you suspect any medicines may be causing your vomiting or diarrhoea.

 

IMPORTANT

 

 

Contact your doctor if:

  • there is any sign of dehydration (see Dehydration: Warning Signs)
  • a baby, young child or elderly person has vomited several times over a few hours (and has not been able to keep anything down)
  • your child is younger than one year of age and has had diarrhoea for longer than 24 hours
  • your child is under three years of age, or you are elderly and have had diarrhoea for 48 hours
  • you are an otherwise healthy child or adult with diarrhoea for longer than 72 hours
  • you have severe vomiting and fever (your body temperature is 40°C or higher)
  • have a chronic change of bowel habit
  • you have any blood or mucus in your bowel motions
  • you are vomiting blood
  • diarrhoea starts after an overseas trip there is severe stomach pain.
  • Do not give medicines that stop diarrhoea to children under two years of age - they don't stop dehydration and they can keep the 'bugs' in the bowel longer.

 

VOMITIMG & RISKS

Babies, young children, the elderly and people who have chronic illnesses can become dehydrated very quickly as a result of vomiting and diarrhoea. Urgent rehydration is required, as serious or even life threatening Dehydration Illness can result.

 

Diarrhoea can cause some temporary damage to the bowel lining. This may make the bowel unable to cope with lactose (found in dairy products) for a short time. If dairy products make your diarrhoea worse, avoid them until you are well.

 

 

DEHYDRATION: WARNING SIGNS

 

  • more than 8 runny bowel motions in 24 hours
  • vomiting (can't keep anything down)
  • going for 10 hours or more without passing urine (2 to 3 hours in children)
  • when the skin is pinched it stays up for a second or two
  • irritable, sleepy or 'floppy' child
  • sunken eyes or shadows under the eyes
  • 'soft spot' in top of baby's head is sunken more than usual
  • changed breathing - either quick, or slow and deep
  • skin feels cold and clammy
  • dry mouth, tongue and lips, or no tears.

 

REHYDRATION

  • Make up the rehydration solution exactly as listed on the packet - ask your pharmacist if you are unsure.
  • Sip the solution whenever vomiting or a runny bowel motion occurs.
  • Adults need to drink 2-3 litres of solution in 24 hours to keep hydrated. Ask your pharmacist how much to give children. Make up new solution every 24 hours and keep it in the fridge.

 

 

SELF CARE

 

Babies

  • Keep breastfeeding the baby and offer rehydration solution between feeds.
  • Replace other milk or formula with oral rehydration solution for 24 hours.
  • Give half strength formula for the next 24 hours, or try a lactose-free formula if necessary - ask your pharmacist.
  • Sterilise babies' bottles and dummies as well as items used to measure, mix or store made-up formula, juice or water.
  • Put made-up and sterilised formula back in the fridge as quickly as possible.
  • Throw away any leftover formula or milk.

Children & adults
.

  • Use rehydration solution to replace fluids.
  • After vomiting stops keep sipping fluids and eat if hungry. Avoid sweet foods. Try starchy foods e.g. rice, potatoes, bread or dry biscuits, cooked cereals, yoghurt.
  • Avoid undiluted sweet/sugary drinks - they can make diarrhoea worse.

 

Preventing gastro

Gastro bugs can get into food (especially milk) from unwashed hands, kitchen surfaces and eating utensils. They also grow in food kept warm. Keep cooked food hot, or put it in the fridge. Insist on everyone washing their hands after going to the toilet, handling animals and before touching food.

 

Source: Pharmaceutical Society

 

 

 

 

 

 

Google
 
Search The Web Search Experts Guide
 

 

UK Experts Guide on Just About Everything