If you experience diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, knowing what to eat and what to avoid can make the difference between feeling better faster or staying sick longer.
Nausea and Vomiting
Causes
The following are possible causes of vomiting:
-
Viral infections
- Medications
- Seasickness or motion sickness
- Migraine headaches
- Morning sickness during pregnancy
- Food poisoning
- Food allergies
- Bulimia
- Alcoholism
Self-Care
- Drink clear fluids
- Eat light, bland foods (such as saltine crackers or plain bread)
- Avoid fried, greasy, or sweet foods
- Eat slowly and eat smaller, more frequent meals
- Do not mix hot and cold foods
- Drink beverages slowly
- Avoid activity after eating
- Choose foods from all the food groups as you can tolerate them to get adequate nutrition
- It is important to stay hydrated. Try steady, small amounts of clear liquids, such as electrolyte solutions. Other clear liquids -- such as water, ginger ale, or fruit juices
- Avoid solid foods until there has been no vomiting for six hours, and then work slowly back to a normal diet.
When to seek medical advice
You should see a doctor or nurse practitioner immediately if the following signs or symptoms occur:
- Blood in the vomit
- Severe headache or stiff neck
- Lethargy
- Confusion
- Decreased alertness
- Severe abdominal pain
- Vomiting with fever over 38 degrees Celsius
- Vomiting and diarrhea are both present
- Rapid breathing or pulse
Diarrhea
Causes
- Bacterial infections
- Viral infections
- Food intolerances
- Parasites
- Reaction to medicines
- Intestinal diseases
- Functional bowel disorders
Self-Care
Take these measures to prevent dehydration and reduce symptoms while you recover:
- Drink plenty of clear liquids including water, clear sodas and broths, gelatin, and juices every day. But, avoid apple and pear juices until you feel better because they can make your diarrhea worse. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
- Add semisolid and low-fiber foods gradually as your bowel movements return to normal. Try soda crackers, toast, eggs, rice or chicken.
- Avoid certain foods such as dairy products, fatty foods, high-fiber foods or highly seasoned foods for a few days.
When to seek medical advice
You should see a doctor or nurse practitioner immediately if the following signs or symptoms occur:
- If diarrhea persists beyond five days or if you become dehydrated (excessive thirst, dry mouth or skin, little or no urination, severe weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness, or dark-colored urine)
- If you have severe abdominal or rectal pain, bloody or black stools
- If you have a temperature of more than 38 degrees, or signs of dehydration despite drinking plenty of liquids.
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