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General Info
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| Vomiting
and Diarrhea |
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Vomiting and diarrhea are often caused
by infections of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. GI
infections may be caused by bacteria (e.g., food
poisoning) or viruses (e.g., “intestinal flu”).
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Occasionally, vomiting and diarrhea
are caused by changes in diet, overeating, excessive
drinking, or stress.
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In adults, vomiting or diarrhea that
is present for more than a day, can result in
dehydration. Therefore, initial treatment includes
replacing lost fluids while resting the digestive
system.
Seek medical attention if your
condition doesn’t begin to improve after 24 hours or
if you have abdominal pain. Call Boynton at (612)
625-3222 to make an appointment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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When should I seek medical attention?
Seek medical attention if your
condition doesn’t begin to improve after 24 hours or
if you:
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have abdominal pain
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have decreased urination (no urine
for 24 hours or dark, concentrated urine)
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have a fever over 101
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have dry mouth
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have sunken eyes
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feel confused
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feel listless
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have dizziness upon standing
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have blood in vomit
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have blood, pus or mucus in
diarrhea more than once
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have vomiting and diarrhea that
continues after home treatment
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What can I eat?
Don’t eat anything for 12-24 hours.
Take frequent small sips (about one ounce) of water to
prevent dehydration. Sucking on chips of ice may help
keep your mouth moist.
Gradually increase your fluid intake.
Start with one ounce of clear liquid every hour.
(Clear liquids include water; Gatorade; 7-Up, Sprite
and other non-diet, non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic
drinks; bouillon; grape, apple or cranberry juice;
Popsicles; Jell-O; Hi-C; and Koolaid.)
If you tolerate this amount, increase
liquids to two ounces every hour. If this goes
well, you may take two ounces of liquid every
half-hour.
If you still have diarrhea or are
vomiting after 72 hours, see a health care provider.
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Adding solids to your diet
After about a day of liquids (or sooner
if you feel better), you may start eating a few mild
foods, such as bananas, rice (white only), applesauce,
and dry toast. Eat very small amounts of these foods on
a frequent basis and continue taking clear liquids. Do
not overload your stomach; your digestive tract is still
sensitive and you could trigger another bout of diarrhea
or vomiting. If diarrhea or vomiting returns, you may
return to clear liquids.
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During the next week...
Continue to add bland, easy-to-digest
foods. Avoid rich, greasy or spicy foods. Continue to
drink clear liquids and begin to introduce soft solids
as listed below:
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meat (slow cooked, roasted, or
baked)
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eggs (not fried)
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potatoes
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pasta
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rice
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cooked or canned vegetables and
fruits
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bananas
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oranges
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bread (white or light rye)
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crackers
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cooked cereal
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plain cake/cookies (e.g., graham
crackers; avoid chocolate and frosting)
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You should avoid
the following foods for about a week:
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dairy products, including cheese and
ice cream, as youmay temporarily be unable to absorb
the lactose contained in them. An exception is
low-fat yogurt with active cultures.
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fresh vegetables and most fresh
fruit (see exceptions above)
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coarse, whole-grain products
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spices
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peanut butter
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nuts
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fried foods
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gravy
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