Diarrhea, upset stomach and nausea: what to know

Gastroenteritis and food poisoning commonly irritate the stomach and bowel together. Gastritis can cause upper abdominal discomfort and nausea, while acid reflux may add a burning sensation or sour taste. Gallstones can cause nausea with pain under the right ribs, especially after rich meals. Heat exhaustion may bring nausea and diarrhea alongside heavy sweating, weakness or dizziness. The pattern, timing, recent food, travel, medicines and other symptoms help a clinician narrow the cause.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. When appetite returns, choose light foods such as rice, toast, bananas or soup, and avoid alcohol and greasy meals for a while. Rest, wash hands carefully and avoid preparing food for others while diarrhea continues. Do not take an anti-diarrhea medicine if you have blood in the stool or a high temperature without asking a clinician first.

Arrange prompt care if you cannot keep fluids down, pass very little urine, feel faint, develop severe or worsening abdominal pain, or see blood or black stool. Seek urgent help for confusion, marked drowsiness or collapse. Babies, older adults and people with diabetes, kidney disease or weak immunity can become dehydrated quickly and should get advice early.

Which cause best fits my symptom pattern? What fluids and foods are suitable for me? Should I test for infection? Which medicines could be worsening the nausea or diarrhea?