Diarrhoea & Vomiting

Most people will at some time experience diarrhoea and/or vomiting. Both are symptoms of an underlying condition that may be caused by viruses, bacteria or dietary issues.

Viral gastroenteritis (also called "stomach flu") is the most common cause of diarrhoea and vomiting. It is a mild viral infection that usually disappears without treatment in a couple of days. Quite contagious, viral gastroenteritis often spreads quickly around schools or neighbourhoods.

Bacteria and parasites are also common causes of diarrhoea and vomiting, particularly travellers' diarrhoea and food poisoning. These conditions are caused by drinking water or eating food that is contaminated with the parasites or bacteria. Food - particularly food containing milk or chicken - often becomes infected during preparation or while in storage. Bacteria will also grow on food that is left for extended periods in a warm place.

Other causes of diarrhoea and/or vomiting include certain medications, including antibiotics, laxatives and chemotherapeutic drugs, or eating excessive amounts of greasy food or drinking too much alcohol. Medical conditions associated with diarrhoea include pregnancy, migraine headaches, lactose intolerance, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and Celia disease.

Dehydration (caused by fluid loss) is the greatest risk associated with diarrhoea and vomiting. The dizziness and weakness that accompany diarrhoea and vomiting are often caused by dehydration. Babies under 3 years of age, and elderly people, run the highest risk of dehydration from diarrhoea and/or vomiting, and dehydration among these groups can pose serious overall health risks.

Signs, Symptoms & Diagnosis

Diarrhoea presents as watery, loose and frequent bowel movements, often accompanied by a sense of urgency to go to the toilet. Other symptoms include stomach cramping and passing gas. Vomiting and diarrhoea may occur together or separately.

Diarrhoea may last up to three days, and vomiting may last up to six hours or more. If you experience symptoms for longer, contact your doctor. 

Your doctor will need a complete history of your symptoms. He or she may order tests that may require a stool sample, a urine sample, or a blood sample.

How to Treat Diarrhoea & Vomiting

Replacing fluids lost by diarrhoea and/or vomiting is vital to your overall health. Water alone does not replace electrolytes lost through diarrhoea and vomiting. Oral rehydration solutions are a better choice, as they contain electrolytes normally found in your body fluids.

Acute diarrhoea usually lasts just a few days. To alleviate the discomfort associated with acute diarrhoea, medications are available that reduce contractions in the gut associated with diarrhoea cramps and wind and normalize bowel movement frequency and consistency.

Netpharmacy's medications and supplements for diarrhoea and vomiting are:

Feeding Infants' and Children's Medications:

Infant Formula

Novalac Anti-diarrhoea (450g) - infant formula containing electrolytes

Acidophilus

Solgar A B C Dophilus Powder (1.75 oz)

Childlife Colostrum With Probiotics (50 g Powder)

Natures Way Primadophilus For Kids (30 Chewable Tabs)

Oral Rehydration Solutions

Pedialyte Solution Fruit Flavor (946 ml)

Pedialyte Solution Bubble Gum Flavour (946ml)

Gastrolyte Orange Sachets

Diarrhoea and Vomiting Medications for Adults:

Imodium (2 mg - 20 Caps)

Herbal

Malcolm Harker Intestinal Correction Powder (90 g)

Rehydration

Gastrolyte Orange Sachets

Vomiting

Lifestream Bioactive Ginger Capsules (30s)

Blackmores Morning Sickness Formula (90 Tabs)

Malcolm Harker Intestinal Correction Powder (90g)

See Your Doctor

If you are experiencing diarrhoea and or vomiting, call your doctor if any of these symptoms are present:

- high fever (above 101 degrees F/38.33 degrees C for adults, and above 100.4 degrees F/38 degrees C for children)

- heavy vomiting for six hours or more

- more than about 10 bowel motions in one day

- mucous, blood or a black color in bowel motions

- restlessness or irritability

- abdominal pain not relieved by passing a bowel movement

- signs of dehydration, including

very dry mouth or tongue

not urinating for ten hours or more

unusually rapid breathing, or slow breathing

sunken eyes and inability to produce tears

- diarrhoea present for more than 4 days (2 days for a child)

- diarrhoea that worsens within 4-5 days.

For children aged 3 months or more, call your doctor if the vomiting does not stop within a few hours. 

If you or your child develop diarrhoea or vomiting after visiting another country, call your doctor immediately.

IMPORTANT: For children under the age of three months, call your doctor immediately when diarrhoea, vomiting or fever starts. 

Helpful Links

- Diarrhoea - Everybody.co.nz

- Nausea and Vomiting - Drugs.com

- Diarrhoea (Chronic and Travel-associated) - National Center for Health Statistics

- Diarrhoea - Drugs.com