Vomiting and Diarrhea Treatment Sterling, VA
Vomiting and diarrhea can be extremely unpleasant and cause a significant amount of discomfort. In most cases, the symptoms do not point towards any severe health concern. However, if the symptoms continue for several days or do not get better, it is crucial to seek professional medical treatment. Our team can help to determine the most effective course of symptoms relief.
Even though people are quick to dismiss vomiting and diarrhea cases as minor, the discomfort can worsen over time. Most people may not know that their dietary choices can also cause the symptoms and continue to hinder their recovery. We can also help treat cases in which the symptoms result from a disease or other condition.
Our urgent care team is here to help you achieve the relief you need with a customized treatment plan.
When to See Us for Vomiting and Diarrhea
While preventing the onset of vomiting and diarrhea is ideal, it is not always possible, since many of the causes of vomiting and diarrhea are unpredictable. Subsequently, knowing what signs are a cause for concern and seeking medical assistance when they present themselves is crucial to making a full, speedy recovery.
If you or your child suffer from vomiting and diarrhea that is concerning or lasts for more than several days, be sure to come in for a visit. We can conduct an examination and determine the most effective treatment plan to help manage symptoms.
Facts from The Rehydration Project
- Diarrhea is a common problem that usually resolves on its own, although it is not always best to let it run its course.
- Food intolerance, such as being lactose intolerant or gluten intolerant, is a typical cause of diarrhea.
- People with Diarrhea caused by certain infections can lose up to 20 liters of fluid a day.
- The average humans intestine is about eight meters long.
- Darker vomit is potentially severe and in many cases needs medical treatment.
- Emetophobia is the fear of vomiting or seeing others vomit.
- Vomiting and diarrhea can both lead to severe dehydration, which can cause serious health concerns that require prompt attention.
- Cyclic vomiting syndrome occurs when an individual experiences recurring episodes of vomiting without an apparent cause.
Questions to Ask Your Urgent Care Provider
- What triggered my vomiting and diarrhea?
- Is there anything I can do to ensure that my vomiting and diarrhea does not turn into a chronic issue?
- Are there any home remedies I should try to control my vomiting or diarrhea or is it best to let it run its course?
- How long do the vomiting and diarrhea typically last?
- What should I do if my vomiting and diarrhea last for an extended amount of time without improving?
- Is it normal to have a fever along with vomiting and diarrhea?
- Other than an infection, what else can cause vomiting and diarrhea?
- Am I contagious?
- What foods should I avoid to ensure my vomiting and diarrhea does not become worse?
- Is it okay for me to go to work or school?
- Should I be concerned about dehydration?
- Is there anything I could have done to prevent my vomiting and diarrhea?
“We can conduct an examination and determine the most effective treatment plan to help manage symptoms.”
Causes of Vomiting and Diarrhea
If the patient cannot determine the exact cause of the vomiting or diarrhea, we will help them go over anything they have consumed in the past few hours or days. In cases where the cause is not known, we will help provide the patient with the treatment they need. While there are numerous reasons why a person may exhibit the symptoms, here are several of the more common causes of vomiting and diarrhea:
- Consumption of spoiled food
- Overconsumption of food or alcohol
- Stress
- Pregnancy
- Stomach viruses
The primary cause of vomiting and diarrhea that coexists can include stomach illness, including food poisoning and stomach viruses. Another common cause of vomiting and diarrhea is overconsumption, whether it be food, alcohol, or some form of medication. While overeating food generally does not pose much of a health risk, consuming too much alcohol or drugs can have serious long-term health risks. It is essential to seek medical attention if this is a probable cause of the symptoms.
Also, it is not uncommon for too much stress to cause vomiting and, in some cases, diarrhea. Lastly, if there is a chance of being pregnant, the patient must take vomiting and nausea very seriously.
Vomiting and Diarrhea Treatment Options
To fully understand how to treat vomiting and diarrhea, it is important to know why our body produces and reacts to vomiting and diarrhea. In some instances, a bacteria or virus can release a substance or toxin that can cause these vomiting or diarrhea. When the body comes across an unfamiliar substance or one that it deems harmful, it tries to get rid of the substance as quickly as possible. Therefore, the concept of vomiting and diarrhea is helpful to the body. However, too much vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration and other serious health concerns, so it is essential to control the symptoms as much as possible.
Unfortunately, the most common treatment for less severe cases of vomiting and diarrhea is to let it run its course. We will recommend professional treatment options if the symptoms last for an extended period or lead to dehydration. In some cases, we may consider pumping a stomach if we know the substance the patient consumed is lethal to their health, (i.e. cleaning solutions, chemicals, etc.).
For the first several hours after vomiting begins, patients need to avoid consuming anything and let the body clear out the harmful substance. After approximately 6-12 hours, patients should start consuming food and fluids once again. However, be sure to eat very light and choose foods that do not upset the stomach, such as soup or a small salad. While drinking, avoid taking big sips. Instead, take small sips often to stay hydrated.
Lastly, try your best to avoid taking any medications unless authorized to do so by a medical professional. Medications can make vomiting and diarrhea worse or even be the cause of vomiting and diarrhea in the first place. If a patient relies on specific medications that they cannot keep down, they need to visit us at our urgent care facility as soon as possible for treatment.
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How to Prevent Vomiting and Diarrhea
As difficult as it can be to treat vomiting and diarrhea, it can be even more challenging to prevent vomiting and diarrhea. This is since it can happen at any time and result from different causes, many of which are unpredictable. With that said, however, there are certain things people can do to help prevent vomiting and diarrhea from occurring in the first place.
While there is always the chance of eating a bad meal that seemed fine at the time, patients can help prevent these symptoms by doing the following:
- Practice proper hygiene
- Stay home and rest when sick
- Be cautious around individuals who are sick
First and foremost, it is crucial to practice good hygiene, including washing your hands often with soap and water, cleaning frequently used surfaces around your home, and not touching your eyes and mouth, especially after a sneeze or touching a doorknob.
Practicing proper hygiene can undoubtedly help prevent developing an infection, there is still a chance that you may fall ill at some point. While you are sick, however, there are certain precautions you can take to minimize the possibility of developing the symptom of nausea, which could ultimately lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Most importantly, be sure to stay home and rest while sick with the cold or flu, which gives your body all it needs to fight off the infection.
Lastly, be cautious around others who are sick, especially if they have developed an infection within the last three days because that is when they are the most contagious. While it may seem rude to avoid contact with others, most people will understand your concern.
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. When should I seek professional treatment for vomiting or diarrhea?
Q. What are possible causes of vomiting and diarrhea?
Q. What can I do to ease vomiting or diarrhea symptoms?
People Also Ask
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is it okay to not eat or drink while I am suffering from vomiting and diarrhea? After all, I am just going to throw it up anyways.
A. It is important to continue eating and drinking while suffering from vomiting and diarrhea to prevent dehydration. With that said, there are certain foods and drinks you should avoid, including anything that makes you nauseous. Instead, try eating thinner soup and taking small sips of water throughout the day. If you or your child begin to exhibit dehydration symptoms, be sure to come into our urgent care facility for treatment, especially if an infection causes vomiting and diarrhea.
Q. My child is experiencing vomiting and diarrhea. Is there anything I can give her/him that will help?
A. It can be a very concerning time to see your child suffer from vomiting and diarrhea. Fortunately, there is a specific home treatment that can be administered to help manage the symptoms. First and foremost, do not give your child any solid foods. Instead, feed them applesauce, soup, etc., which should give them a better chance at keeping the food down. Additionally, provide them with plenty of rehydration solutions. We can go over possible solutions that are a good choice for patients.
Q. I believe I ate something bad, which has caused me to have vomiting and diarrhea. How long should I wait before visiting the urgent care?
A. In general, vomiting and diarrhea for any cause, especially for food poisoning, should not last more than 72 hours. In the event you ate something you feel has caused food poisoning, visit urgent care if the symptoms do not improve within 72 hours. If the symptoms become extremely concerning at any point within the first three days, you should also consider urgent care, especially if the vomiting and diarrhea have lead to you becoming dehydrated. While an adequately treated case of vomiting and diarrhea is not extremely concerning, dehydration can cause severe health concerns.
Q. I want to avoid dehydration. What are the warning signs of dehydration that I should watch for?
A. The very symptoms of dehydration often include extreme thirst and dark yellow urine. Additionally, you may experience muscle cramps and a headache before dehydration begins to set in. It is encouraged to visit urgent care if early signs of dehydration start to show. More concerning symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, fatigue, and a rapid heartbeat. In the event, dehydration leads to any more concerning symptoms, it is important to properly hydrate as soon as possible and visit urgent care if you are unable to keep fluids down.
Q. Are dehydration symptoms different in babies than it is in adults? What do I do if symptoms of dehydration begin to appear?
A. It is much more challenging to determine dehydration symptoms during an episode of vomiting and diarrhea in a toddler than an adult. Subsequently, it is important to understand and notice the symptoms if they show up. Most commonly, a baby that has been vomiting and having diarrhea has not urinated in several hours or has very dark urine may suffer from dehydration. Also, check their mouth to see if it is dry and make sure they are secreting tears while crying. In the event they are not, they may be dehydrated.
Q. I need to take my medication, but I keep throwing it back up. What do I need to do?
A. One of the biggest concerns when vomiting and diarrhea with people with a condition that requires them to take medicine daily is the inability to keep the medication down. If this is happening to you, you are not alone. However, it is a concerning scenario that requires medical assistance as soon as possible.
Start Feeling Better – Visit Us Today
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with stronger medication and treatment options instead of ineffective store-bought products.
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Consult With Us
At our urgent care facility, we have a team of medical professionals and resources necessary to effectively and efficiently treat vomiting and diarrhea symptoms. We can also help diagnose any underlying symptoms. Without the proper treatment for vomiting diarrhea, you run the risk of becoming dehydrated, developing a severe fever or being far more uncomfortable than necessary.
With the appropriate treatment, we can keep your symptoms at a tolerable level and ensure there are no other health concerns that develop. Visit our urgent care facility or contact us today to seek treatment or learn more.
Helpful Related Links
- American Journal of Medicine. American Journal of Medicine. 2023
- American Medical Association (AMA). American Medical Association (AMA). 2023
- American Medical Society For Sports Medicine (AMSSM). American Medical Society For Sports Medicine. 2023
- American Trauma Society. American Trauma Society. 2023
- John Hopkins Medicine Orthopaedic Surgery. John Hopkins Medicine Orthopaedic Surgery. 2023
- National Council on Aging. National Council on Aging. 2023
- Orthopaedic Surgery: Association of American Medical Colleges. Orthopaedic Surgery: Association of American Medical Colleges. 2023
- Radiological Society of North America. Radiological Society of North America. 2023
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