Helpful Hints and Simple Home Remedies - Vomiting/Diarrhea

I have vomiting and/or diarrhea!

 

Most vomiting and diarrhea is self-limiting and caused by viral infection.  The most important thing is to prevent dehydration and hypoglycemia.  Follow these simple instructions in the early stages of illness.

¨ Take 1 tsp of ice chips every 15 minutes to 2 hours.  Also take a pinch of salt and a pinch of sugar every 15 minutes.

¨ If vomiting has not recurred, begin drinking 2 oz of clear fluids every 15 minutes.  This includes water, flat Sprite, chicken broth, apple juice, ginger ale, ginger tea.  If vomiting recurs, return to the ice chips.

¨ If vomiting does not recur, move on to bland foods as tolerated, using the BRATS dies (ripe bananas, white rice, applesauce, dry toast, chicken soup) as a guideline and eating small amounts every 1/2 hour or so. Avoid dairy, high fat foods, raw fruits & vegetables and spicy foods for several days, as they will likely trigger diarrhea.

¨ Once vomiting stops, take a probiotic containing lactobacillus rhamnosus twice a day for 3-7 days.

If there is a high fever (over 101), blood in the stool, rash, severe abdominal pain, a change in level of consciousness, or if symptoms persist for more than three days, it’s time to call the doctor.

Children, pregnant women and the elderly get dehydrated more easily than healthy, non-pregnant adults, so keep a close eye on these folks.

 

Karen Coshow