Occasionally, vomiting and diarrhea are caused by changes in diet, overeating, excessive drinking, or stress.

When to Seek Medical Advice

Adults should seek medical advice when they are:

• Not keeping liquids down for 24 hours or more.
• Dehydrated (dry mouth, extreme thirst, dark yellow urine, little urine, and extreme weakness or lightheadedness)
• Vomiting for more than two days or vomiting blood
  
• Having diarrhea for more than seven days
  
• Noticing blood in bowel movements
  
• Measuring fever above 102º F (or 39º C)
  
• Experiencing a lot of discomfort or pain
  

To obtain medical care at Boynton Health Service, make an appointment by calling
(612) 625-3222.

While You’re Sick

While you’re sick, fluids and other nutrients are important.

If you are vomiting, stop eating and drinking for 2-4 hours, until your stomach has settled. Eating and drinking too early may result in further vomiting.

If you are vomiting or not hungry you may consume only liquids for the first 12-24 hours. Start with ice chips and sips of water, then increase your fluid intake.

In the presence of dehydration, water with salt and sugar most effectively replaces lost fluids. You may purchase oral rehydration solutions, like Rehydralyte or Cera-lyte, from a pharmacy without a prescription or make your own:

To 4 cups (32 oz.) of tap water, add:

• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
  
• 4 tablespoons of regular sugar
  

In the absence of dehydration and presence of good health otherwise, sports drinks (without caffeine) like Gatorade may suffice; you may also consider broths, soups, or eating saltine crackers along with drinking diluted fruit juices, ginger tea with sugar (ginger can help nausea), Jell-o or with drinks like Koolaid. What ever fluids you choose, start with small sips and gradually increase the amount.

As for foods, remember that adequate nutrition helps heal the lining of the intestines, so start eating even a little amount frequently and no later than 24 hours after your illness started. Continue drinking the fluids above. You may start with very small amounts of boiled starches with salt (like potatoes, white rice, pasta, or hot cereals like oatmeal), crackers, bananas, soup, boiled vegetables, applesauce, or dry toast. Add lean meat, tofu, or cooked egg whites (nothing fried) when tolerated.

Avoid milk products, like milk, cheese, and ice cream for at least a week (although you may try some low fat yogurt with active cultures). Also avoid rich foods, like peanut butter, egg yolks, fried foods, and gravy as well as alcohol, coffee, fresh vegetables, and fresh fruits for about a week.

If you have further questions or concerns, please call the Boynton Health Service Medical Information Nurse at (612) 625-7900. (Info nurse lines roll to nurse outside of Boynton after Boynton hours.)