If you are experiencing vomiting and diarrhea, know that this is the body's reaction to rid itself of the factor responsible for the malaise. For example, vomiting could indicate that you are getting rid of toxins from spoiled food, or you may feel the need to empty your stomach to eliminate viruses if you have gastroenteritis. Vomiting and diarrhea can be caused by a variety of different problems, including viral, bacterial and parasitic infections; they could also be triggered by toxins, infected foods, certain medications, and even certain foods that you cannot digest for various reasons. Although these ailments must run their course, they can cause severe dehydration; this is even more dangerous in infants, young children and the elderly.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: with the Diet
Step 1. Stay hydrated
Try to drink plenty of plain water to restore lost fluids. You can also drink herbal teas (such as chamomile, fenugreek, or ginger), which help manage nausea, or a simple non-carbonated ginger ale. There are several drinks you should avoid, as they can irritate the stomach and intestines, making the situation worse. You don't have to consume:
- Coffee;
- Tender;
- Caffeinated drinks;
- Drinks;
- Alcohol, which can aggravate dehydration.
Step 2. Eat more fiber
To treat diarrhea, include more foods such as rice and whole grains or juice from fresh vegetables (such as carrot or celery) in your diet. Fiber in foods can help the body absorb water and make stool firmer, thus slowing down diarrhea. Avoid fatty, greasy, or spicy foods, as well as acidic foods (such as orange juice, tomatoes, and pickles), chocolate, ice cream, and eggs.
For a bland fiber-rich meal, you can cook cereal with a light chicken or miso broth. Use at least double the amount of broth compared to cereals; for example, prepare half a cup of barley in a cup or two of chicken broth
Step 3. Take probiotics
Buy them in the form of supplements and take them following the directions on the package or according to the advice of your doctor; in this way, you can restore the balance of the intestinal bacterial flora. If you catch them while you have diarrhea, they can compete with the bacteria responsible for the ailment. Good sources or types of probiotics are:
- Yogurt containing live lactic ferments;
- Yeast (Saccharomyces boulardii);
Step 4. Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacteria.
Step 5. Eat stomach-friendly foods
If you don't feel like eating a lot, you can grab a snack or grab some salty crackers to soothe your nausea or vomiting. When you feel ready to eat something, choose foods that are part of the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, apple puree and (wholemeal) toast can make your stool firmer and make you recover lost nutrients.
- Do not eat dairy products that can aggravate diarrhea, as they stimulate the urge to defecate.
- If you are vomiting frequently, avoid any solid food and contact your doctor.
Step 6. Drink some herbal tea
Herbal or ginger teas can calm the stomach and intestines; some plants have antibacterial and antiviral properties. Always choose a ginger tea or a non-sparkling ginger ale that contains the real root; it is a safe remedy for pregnant women, those who are breastfeeding and for children over two years old.
- You can drink herbal teas made from blackberry, raspberry, blueberry or carob leaves; however, if you have diabetes or are taking blood thinners, you shouldn't take blueberry.
- Try chamomile tea (suitable for children and adults) or fenugreek tea (adults only). Infuse a teaspoon of leaves in 250 ml of boiling water; you can drink 5 or 6 cups a day.
Method 2 of 3: with Medicines and Alternative Therapies
Step 1. Take an antidiarrheal medication
While it's best to let the condition run its course and disappear on its own, you can reduce the discharge with this type of medicine. You can take over-the-counter products, such as bismuth subsalicylate or a fiber supplement (psyllium). Adults can take between 2.5 and 30 g of psyllium per day to be divided into several doses.
- Bismuth subsalicylate is suitable for treating "traveler's diarrhea" and has mild antibacterial properties.
- Psyllium is also safe while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Step 2. Take ginger supplements
If the vomiting is due to food poisoning, gastroenteritis or other common non-serious causes, you can take between 1000 and 4000 mg of ginger divided into four doses throughout the day; for example, you can take 250-1000 mg four times a day. Ginger is commonly used to manage nausea and vomiting in many different situations, including those triggered by chemotherapy and nausea during early pregnancy.
Some studies have shown that it is effective in relieving the postoperative one; inhibits or suppresses certain types of brain and intestinal receptors associated with malaise
Step 3. Make ginger tea
Wash the fresh root and cut a piece of about 5 cm. Remove the brown outer "peel" to reach the yellow inner part; Grate or cut a spoonful of it and put it in 500 ml of boiling water. Cover the pot and boil another minute; then turn off the heat and leave the ginger to infuse for three to five minutes. At this point, pour the herbal tea into a cup and add honey if you wish; drink four to six cups a day.
Use fresh ginger and not ginger ale; Most of these drinks do not contain real ginger, but they are full of sweeteners that you should avoid when you are nauseous, as sugars generally tend to aggravate the malaise
Step 4. Make herbal tea
Although more research is still needed, certain plants are believed to be able to control bacterial or viral infections that cause nausea; however, they can also simply relax you and relieve discomfort. To prepare one, add a teaspoon of dried or powdered leaves to 250 ml of boiling water and let it steep; you can add honey or lemon to improve the flavor. Here are some plants to try:
- Mint;
- Cloves;
- Cinnamon.
Step 5. Try aromatherapy
Take mint or lemon essential oil and put a drop on your wrists and temples. Both of these oils have been used for generations to treat nausea; the studies carried out on the subject have found that they are able to reduce it because they relax or otherwise affect the part of the brain that controls this sensation.
- Make sure you have no skin sensitivities. Put a single drop on one wrist; if you experience a negative reaction with a rash, redness or itchiness, try another oil or change method.
- Use only essential oils, as candles and perfumes probably don't contain real lemon or peppermint oil and still in insufficient quantities to help you with your problem.
Step 6. Practice controlled breathing
Lie on your back and put some pillows under your knees and neck for added comfort. Place your palms on your stomach below the rib cage; intertwine your fingers to be able to perceive when they separate when you dilate the abdomen; this allows you to understand if you are doing the exercise correctly. Take a long, slow deep breath by expanding your abdomen and breathing with your diaphragm instead of your chest; the diaphragm creates a suction force that brings more air into the lungs than can be obtained with thoracic expansion alone.
Some research has found that controlled, deep breathing can relieve nausea, other studies have found that it can help manage it after surgery
Method 3 of 3: Stop Vomiting and Diarrhea in Children
Step 1. Keep the baby hydrated
Smaller ones are at greater risk of becoming dehydrated; make sure your child is hydrated as much as possible while waiting for a visit to the pediatrician. Since they may not want to drink water, offer other more tempting solutions, such as:
- Flavored ice cubes (if not a baby);
- Icicles (if it is not a newborn);
- White grape juice;
- Fruit granita;
- Breast milk (if you are breastfeeding it).
Step 2. Give light food
If he is over a year old, you can give him some chicken or vegetable broth (beef broth is fine too, although it can often cause discomfort in an already "upside down" stomach). You can also give it some juice mixed with an equal amount of water.
Avoid products that are too sugary, such as sodas or pure fruit juice, as these can aggravate diarrhea
Step 3. Give him an oral rehydration solution
If the ailment lasts more than a few hours, you should contact the pediatrician; they may recommend a rehydrating solution, such as Pedialyte, which contains fluids and electrolytes (minerals) needed to prevent dehydration. You can find these products in major supermarkets and pharmacies.
- For babies and toddlers, start with about a teaspoon of rehydrator every one or two minutes; if they can keep it in their stomach without throwing up, you can slowly increase the amount. To administer the rehydration solution, you can use a spoon, a dropper or a cup; if it is a newborn who does not want to drink from the breast or bottle, you can moisten a cotton towel and squeeze a few drops into his mouth.
- If the baby is bottle-fed, use a lactose-free solution because sugar and lactose can aggravate diarrhea.
- You can also find Pedialyte popsicles for children who don't want to drink.
Advice
- Diarrhea is classified into three distinct categories: osmotic (with watery stools), secretory (when the body releases fluids in the stool) or exudative (which involves the presence of pus and blood). Each of these is due to different causes, although most of the time they respond to the same type of treatment.
- Stay away from strong odors, smoke, heat and humidity, as these are the main triggers of nausea or vomiting.
- If you are breastfeeding your baby, continue with diarrhea as it helps keep them hydrated and comfortable.
- If diarrhea or vomiting persists for more than a few days (or more than 12 hours in infants, children or the elderly) call your doctor and make an appointment.
- If your doctor recommends it, you can give psyllium supplements to your child; if he is 6 to 11 years old, you can give him 1, 25 to 15 g per day divided into several doses.
Warnings
- If you notice blood or mucus in your stool, contact your doctor right away.
- Do not give home remedies to children under two years of age and do not even give them to older children without first obtaining the consent of the pediatrician; contact him and ask him for advice.
- Young children are at great risk of dehydration, so make sure you keep your child well hydrated while waiting for a medical visit.
- If you or your child have a fever lasting more than 24 hours, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
- If the baby is not drinking or urinating, call the pediatrician immediately.
