I have diarrhea should I be worried?

Question

I had mexican food last night and was fine up until the early morning around 6 AM. The I had severe stomach pains, vomitting and diarrhea. It would all come and go every 20 or 30 minutes for about 2 hours.
Now I have a little bit of diarrhea every hour or so. The most recent was a few minutes ago and I noticed a green mucus. What does this mean? I didn't think it was really anything, it would just be some of the green peppers I ate and they weren't completely digested.
Tell me what you think, and what should I be eating or drinking so I am not dehydrated, but still won't upset my stomach again?

Answer 1

If your not over it by tomorrow morning, I would be worried. Drink a lot of water and stay hydrated. Bread or bread products will solidify your stools.

Answer 2

Diarrhea is only a problem for adults if it lasts more than 1 or 2 days and even then, the main issue is dehydration. Drink lots of -water-, not the sports drinks, and wait it out.

Answer 3

Food poison is a lot more common then you think. Just wait it out. Drink sooo much water. Very important. If you start getting lightheaded and feverish, go to the doc. If youre not completely better by tuesday, call your doctor.
Enjoy being out of work & rent some feel good dvds & bug a best girl friend to keep you company, you know, tell them that have to "In case you need a ride to the hospital." (lol) !

Answer 4

Drink plenty of water.
drink Lemon juice it does give u energy.
Take Lemotil or any pill that prevent diarrhea (with the consult of doctor)
Don't eat banana its not good.
Don't eat spicy food for few days.
If problem persists visit a doctor.
Take good care friend. After all haelth is wealth.

Answer 5

Try taking some Enzymes, and drink lost of water, that always helps me when I have an upset stomach. If you are still sick later this afternoon you may want to see a doctor. You could have food poisoning.

Answer 6

sounds like food poisoning, i had it once after a Mexican meal, i guess some people just cant handle all the spices.you should be drinking a lot of clear liquids so you dont dehydrate, im no expert, but when it happened to me, i took imodium for the diariah, and spent the next day, just resting

Answer 7

Definately push liquids such as water, Gatorade, etc. Avoid sugary stuff because it doesn't help with rehydration (makes it worse).

Immodium AD works WONDERS! You only need one dose!

Sounds like a mild case of food poisoning. Or perhaps the food was a little too spicy for your body?

If not better by Tuesday, call a doctor.

Answer 8

hmm, avoid milk and drink clear beverages, try some gatorade for dehydration and take some peptobismol. that should help with most of your symptoms..i've had that happen to me b4, and rest and lots of liquids, you might want to look for something that will replace any electrolites you lost due to the diarrhea. if you don't feel better by tomorrow, you should get yourself checked out, incase it could be food poisoning.

Answer 9

Do you have a fever? Sounds like either you got hit with bad food or you have a virus. If you continue like this over the next four hours, I'd call your local ER.

The greatest risk of diarrhea is dehydration. You can lose up to a gallon of water each day. Along with the water, you lose minerals (electrolytes) that are important for normal body functions. The main electrolytes are sodium and potassium.

Severe dehydration can cause the body to go into shock and is potentially fatal. Dehydration is more serious for infants and children than for adults. Anyone with diarrhea should drink plenty of clear liquids. Tea, chicken broth, ginger ale, or soda are good choices. These are better than plain water, which does not replace any electrolytes.

Diarrhea that continues over a long period of time can cause poor absorption of nutrients. This can lead to wasting. (See Fact Sheet 519).

Diarrhea can be dangerous. Be sure your doctor knows if your diarrhea lasts more than a few days.


What Causes Diarrhea?

It can be difficult to find out what is causing diarrhea. Diarrhea is sometimes caused by an infection in the stomach or intestines. It can also be caused by an inability to digest milk products (lactose intolerance), by problems with the pancreas, or by emotional stress. Bacteria, parasites, fungi, or viruses can cause the infection.

* Parasites: The parasites cryptosporidium or microsporidium used to cause diarrhea in many people with HIV. The use of combination antiviral therapy has greatly reduced the rates of these problems.

* Anti-HIV Medications: These can cause diarrhea. This is often true with nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), Kaletra (lopinavir plus ritonavir), ddI (Videx), foscarnet (Foscavir), tipranavir (Aptivus) and interferon alfa (Roferon or Intron).

* Other causes: Taking antibiotics can kill off "good" bacteria in your gut and may cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can also be caused by an inability to digest milk products (lactose intolerance), by problems with the pancreas, or by emotional stress.


How Do I Know What Is Causing My Diarrhea?

Your doctor will ask you what you have been eating and drinking recently, and whether you have been travelling. Samples of your bowel movement (or "stool") may be tested for signs of bacteria or parasites. Your doctor may repeat this test if nothing shows up the first time. In some cases your blood or urine will also be tested.

If these tests do not show the cause of diarrhea, your doctor may look inside your digestive tract with a special tool or scope. The name of this procedure depends on where the doctor is looking. "Endoscopy" is a general term that means "to look inside." A colonoscopy is a procedure where the doctor examines the colon, and so on. The cause of about one third of all cases of diarrhea cannot be determined.


How Is Diarrhea Treated?

1. Change What You Eat: Some foods can cause diarrhea, and others can help stop it.

Don't eat:

* dairy products (milk or cheeses)
* greasy or fried food
* fatty foods including butter, margarine, oils, or nuts
* spicy foods
* foods high in "insoluble" fiber. This includes raw fruits or vegetables, whole wheat bread, corn, or any fruit or vegetable skins or seeds.

Do eat:

* bananas
* plain white rice
* applesauce
* cream of wheat or farina cereal
* toasted white bread or plain crackers
* plain macaroni or noodles
* boiled eggs
* oatmeal
* mashed potatoes
* yogurt (This is a dairy product, but it's partially "digested" by the bacteria used to make it.)

2. Drug Treatments: Different medications are used to treat different types of diarrhea. Your doctor will not be able to prescribe a medication without some idea of what is causing your diarrhea.

You do not need a prescription for over-the-counter treatments. Some of these work very well for diarrhea, including:

* Pepto-Bismol (Bismuth subsalicylate)
* Kaopectate (attapulgite)
* Imodium AD (loperamide)

Some other products that are usually sold to treat constipation can also help with diarrhea. These products contain "soluble" fiber that adds bulk and absorbs water. This includes products like Metamucil, Citrucel, or other products that contain psyllium.

3. Alternative Therapies for Diarrhea: Acidophilus capsules (which contain helpful bacteria) can help restore normal digestion, especially when you are taking antibiotics. Some types of yogurt contain "live cultures" of acidophilus that work the same way.

Peppermint, ginger and nutmeg are believed to help with digestive problems. Peppermint or ginger tea or ginger ale would be good choices for "clear liquids." Try adding nutmeg to your food or drinks.

Studies have shown that calcium supplements helped relieve diarrhea in people taking nelfinavir (Viracept). This might work for diarrhea caused by other medications.


The Bottom Line

Diarrhea is a common problem for people with HIV. It is usually caused by an infection in the digestive system. Stress, some medications, or problems digesting milk products can also cause diarrhea.

The most serious result is dehydration. This is more of a problem for children than for adults. If you have diarrhea, you should drink plenty of clear liquids.

Some simple changes in your food can help with diarrhea. So can some over the counter medications or acidophilus.

Be sure you tell your doctor if your diarrhea lasts more than a few days.

Answer 10

Drink water and eat a banana, toast, plain rice, or applesauce. It works with babies when they have diarrhea. Even gatorade in a pinch will help. You may be allergic to bell peppers.
Good Luck.