Indigestion, nausea and diarrhea: what to know

Indigestion usually describes upper-abdominal discomfort, early fullness, bloating, or burning. Nausea and diarrhea point to irritation or altered movement elsewhere in the digestive tract, including infection or a food-related reaction. Acid Reflux, Gastritis, Gallstones, or Helicobacter Pylori Infection can also cause digestive symptoms, but the combination alone cannot identify one cause. The timing, recent foods, medicines, travel, and whether anyone else is ill can help a clinician work it out.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. When appetite returns, choose gentle foods and add normal meals gradually. Avoid alcohol and foods that clearly worsen burning or loose stools. Wash hands carefully, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing food. Keep track of stool frequency, vomiting, fever, pain, urine output, and any blood. Avoid taking leftover antibiotics or anti-diarrhea medicines without advice, particularly if you have fever or blood in the stool.

Get urgent medical help for severe or worsening abdominal pain, repeated vomiting that prevents drinking, confusion, faintness, very little urine, blood in vomit or stool, or black stool. Contact a clinician if diarrhea persists, symptoms keep recurring, or you have a significant medical condition, are pregnant, or are caring for a young child or older adult. Dehydration can develop even when symptoms began mildly.

Tell the clinician when each symptom began, what you ate, recent travel, sick contacts, new medicines, and whether you can keep fluids down. Ask whether testing is needed and which medicines are appropriate. Background reading on Indigestion, Gastritis, and Acid Reflux Medication may help you describe the symptoms accurately.