Common problems that may cause nausea and vomiting include: Food allergies. Infections of the stomach or bowels, such as the "stomach flu" or food poisoning. Leaking of stomach contents (food or liquid) upward (also called gastroesophageal reflux or GERD)
Causes can include overeating, intestinal infections, stress and anxiety, and chronic gastrointestinal disorders. Stomach pain and nausea are usually short-lived and get better on their own. However, people with persistent symptoms should see a doctor for an evaluation.
Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain are a common symptom combination. They often result from gastroenteritis and tend to go away in a few days without the need for professional care. However, see a doctor if symptoms are severe, persistent, or accompanied by other worrying symptoms.
Most people will go to the ER when they're having severe pain. But you should also go if you're having other symptoms, like fever, nonstop vomiting, bleeding, or fainting. The ER is the best place to evaluate severe or worrisome abdominal pain because it can provide quick testing and treatment.
In addition to other symptoms (like fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath), stomach upset can be a hallmark sign of COVID-19. An estimated 1 in 5 people who tested positive for COVID-19 had at least one gastrointestinal symptom, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or belly pain.
However, the key distinction is time: The symptoms of a stomach bug will take 12 to 48 hours to develop, while the symptoms of food poisoning typically develop much faster, usually within 6 hours of consuming an infected dish. Another common difference between the two is the length of illness.
Stomach bugs, also called gastroenteritis, are very common in young children and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes a fever. Gastroenteritis typically lasts in the neighborhood of three to seven days, but sometimes it can be shorter and, unfortunately, sometimes it lasts longer.
Gastroenteritis (stomach flu)
In this case, the abdominal pain is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and loose, fluid-filled stools that occur much sooner and more frequently than normal after eating. Bacteria or viruses cause most cases, and symptoms usually resolve within a few days.
Depending on the cause, viral gastroenteritis symptoms may appear within 1-3 days after you're infected and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms usually last just a day or two, but occasionally they may last up to 14 days.
Call your doctor right away if you have abdominal pain so severe that you can't move without causing more pain, or you can't sit still or find a comfortable position. Seek immediate medical help if pain is accompanied by other worrisome signs and symptoms, including: Severe pain.
Do not eat or drink anything for several hours after vomiting. Sip small amounts of water or suck ice chips every 15 minutes for 3-4 hours. Next, sip clear liquids every 15 minutes for 3-4 hours. Examples include water, sports drinks, flat soda, clear broth, gelatin, flavored ice, popsicles or apple juice.
Symptoms can range from mild to serious and can last for a few hours or several days. The most common symptoms of food poisoning are: Diarrhea. Stomach pain or cramps.
The stages of appendicitis can be divided into early, suppurative, gangrenous, perforated, phlegmonous, spontaneous resolving, recurrent, and chronic.
Dry heaving is retching or going through the motions and sensation of vomiting without producing any vomit. Sucking on ice, eating a small amount of food, and resting with the head propped up are some ways to relieve it. Dry heaves are extremely common and often occur after periods of vomiting.
If the pain in your abdominal region is dull and persistent or sudden and severe and is also accompanied by vomiting, that's another major red flag. The combination of abdominal pain and vomiting – especially if the vomiting is intense and lasts for a prolonged period of time – could be a sign of a major complication.
Less serious causes of abdominal pain include constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies, lactose intolerance, food poisoning, and a stomach virus. Other, more serious, causes include appendicitis, an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a bowel blockage, cancer, and gastroesophageal reflux.
Hydrate with clear liquids
Make hydration your main focus after a bout of vomiting, states Dr. Goldman. Start by drinking small sips of water every 15 minutes for the first three to four hours. You can even suck on ice chips.
Sleeping on your side with your head raised can ease symptoms and keep you from choking on your vomit, if you're unable to make it to the bathroom in time.
Aside from staying hydrated, the best thing you can do for the stomach bug is treat the diarrhea symptoms. Pepto Diarrhea has you covered. Its dual action coats your stomach and kills the common bacterial causes of diarrhea. You can count on fast, calming, and effective diarrhea relief with Pepto Diarrhea.
If your child is getting better, vomiting should start happening less and less, and their stool should start becoming more formed, according to Dr. Parikh. If you're not noticing these improvements, better to be safe than sorry: It's time to see a doctor.