Vomiting and diarrhea in adults is common. It can be caused by various pathological processes occurring in the body (diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, viral infections). In addition, often such a condition is provoked by mechanical damage, various intoxications. Seek medical attention if these symptoms occur.
Human Body Protection Mechanism
Vomiting and diarrhea are natural processes that occur when harmful microorganisms enter the digestive organs. Similarly, the stomach and intestines try to rid themselves of poisonous substances produced by the activity of bacteria and viruses. In the case when such phenomena do not stop for a long time, they pose a danger to humans. Indeed, with each act of vomiting and defecation, the body loses a significant amount of fluid and nutrients. If dehydration is severe, the patient may experience convulsions, breathing problems, or even death. Therefore, with a sharpIf the condition worsens, seek emergency medical attention. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea occurring at the same time are rare. Only serious malfunctions in the functioning of organs and systems can provoke this set of symptoms.
What factors can cause these signs to occur?
There are many different reasons that lead to the development of these disorders. Moreover, pathologies can be both acute and chronic. In the second case, the disease is constantly present, but manifests itself most clearly in the exacerbation phase. So, what factors provoke vomiting and diarrhea? Among the mechanisms that trigger such processes are the following:
- Abuse of heavy meals (fried, smoked or spicy foods, marinades, confectionery), as well as alcoholic beverages. It becomes difficult for the stomach and intestines to cope with their tasks due to congestion. Because of this, food is rejected by the body.
- Allergic reactions to certain foods or medicines.
- Infection with microorganisms. Such diseases are accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea and fever. As a rule, a person in this condition needs specialist help and treatment with antiviral drugs.
- The presence of a neoplasm in the digestive tract.
- Disorders of the central nervous system.
- Emotional overload, constant fatigue.
- Inflammatory processes in the liver (with the appearance of light stools and dark urine).
- Diabetes(an additional sign is the smell of acetone from the mouth).
- Disorders of the functions of the stomach, gallbladder, pancreas and intestines, which have a chronic course.
- Use of drugs that put an increased burden on the body (for example, drugs to combat malignant neoplasms).
- Food poisoning after eating poor-quality, expired or poorly cooked foods, unwashed or rotten fruits, berries, vegetables.
Intoxication
This state is familiar to every person. After all, no one can protect themselves from eating spoiled food, for example, in a cafe or a fast food kiosk.
This phenomenon is of two types:
- Bacterial food poisoning caused by the penetration of harmful microorganisms into the gastrointestinal tract, which multiply in large numbers in spoiled food or dishes that have not undergone a sufficiently long heat treatment (especially in meat, fish or seafood delicacies).
- Intoxication of a non-bacterial nature is a disease that occurs due to chemical compounds that adversely affect the body. It can be nitrates or other substances present in vegetables, fruits. This condition is characterized not only by disorders of the digestive organs, but also by disturbances in the activity of the kidneys, central nervous system, and heart muscle.
Poisoning sometimes occurs after eating quality food, if it is cookeda person suffering from an infectious pathology was engaged. Therefore, experts do not advise visiting dubious catering establishments.
Help in case of intoxication
If someone develops diarrhea, vomiting and acute abdominal pain, these symptoms may indicate the presence of poisoning. What to do when such a condition occurs? First of all, it is necessary to help the digestive organs get rid of harmful compounds. For this purpose, washing is carried out. The stomach is cleansed with a large amount of water with the addition of s alt or a small dose of potassium permanganate. An enema is used to stop intestinal spasms. After the implementation of these procedures, it is important to make up for the lack of fluid. The patient should drink clean water (frequently, but in small portions) and take drugs that remove toxins from the body, such as activated charcoal. One of the main principles of helping a person with intoxication is to maintain a proper diet. It is recommended to exclude fatty foods, alcohol, dairy products, confectionery, fried foods. The diet should consist of a weak decoction of rose hips or tea with added sugar, porridge cooked in water, dried bread.
It must be remembered that vomiting, diarrhea and fever that persist for a long time and are accompanied by dehydration, weight loss, dry skin and weakness should not be ignored.
You need to seek medical attention. After all, these signs may indicate infectionbotulinum toxin or listeria. In the absence of therapy in a hospital setting, these pathologies often lead to death.
Gastrointestinal disorders in women: causes
In the absence of pregnancy, digestive disorders in women can be triggered by the following factors:
- Pathologies of the liver, intestines or stomach.
- The consequences of surgical interventions.
- Intoxication (food, chemical compounds).
- Cancerous tumors.
- Inflammatory processes of the genitourinary organs.
- Diseases of the heart muscle.
Similar violations in girls can also appear in the first phase of the monthly cycle. They are often accompanied by pulling pain in the lower abdomen, weakness, sweating.
Period of bearing a child
Speaking of vomiting and diarrhea, the causes of this phenomenon, it should be added that they often occur in the early stages of pregnancy. This is due to a change in the content of certain substances in the body of the expectant mother.
As a rule, these symptoms occur in the morning and are associated with increased sensitivity to certain smells or foods. And, although many argue that these signs do not pose a danger to the body, a woman should be attentive to her well-being. After all, severe vomiting and diarrhea can upset the balance of fluid in cells and tissues, as well as deprive the mother and child of the necessary substances. When these symptoms worsenand deterioration of he alth, you should immediately contact a medical facility.
Factors causing gastrointestinal disorders in men
The body of the stronger sex is considered more resilient than the female. It is usually resistant to harmful environmental influences. However, vomiting and diarrhea are quite common in men. Among the reasons that provoke these symptoms are the following:
- Diseases of the stomach, intestines, urinary system, dysfunction of the heart muscle.
- Pathologies of an infectious nature.
- Disorders of the central nervous system (malignant brain tumors, mechanical damage).
- Unhe althy lifestyle, regular consumption of drinks containing ethyl alcohol, as well as fatty, fried or overly spicy foods.
- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
- Pathologies of an oncological nature and procedures that are aimed at combating them (for example, medicines, radiation).
Gastrointestinal disorders in the stronger sex requires seeking medical help. Timely consultation of specialists and competent therapy can help save the life and he alth of the patient.
Symptoms in the Elderly
Vomiting and diarrhea are associated with many ailments that are common in older people.
Such phenomena are accompanied by a breakdown, dizziness, significantly deplete the body's resources and worsen the physical condition. To the reasons that provokesimilar condition in old age include the following:
- Complications after pathologies of an infectious nature or surgical interventions.
- Impaired bile production.
- Disorders of the digestive tract.
- Severely overtired.
- Severe mental disorders, neurological problems.
- Hot climate, lack of fresh air.
- Oncological pathologies and means to combat them.
- Mechanical damage to the brain, abdominal cavity.
- Serious diseases of the heart muscle and blood vessels.
- Excessive use of drugs, dietary supplements.
- Overeating (especially in the evening).
Vomiting and diarrhea for no reason
Situations when such signs occur without the obvious influence of external factors are quite common. In such cases, disorders of the digestive organs are not accompanied by high fever. The cause of sudden phenomena may be an increase in pressure inside the skull, problems with blood circulation, intoxication with drugs. Sometimes vomiting and diarrhea occurs under the influence of toxic gaseous substances. This condition is accompanied by headache, sensitivity to environmental influences (smells, lighting), severe weakness. Mechanical damage to the head can also cause severe nausea and diarrhea without fever.
Digestive disorders occur during or after strong emotional experiences as a reaction to sounds orvisual images that caused a strong shock.
Such phenomena are often found in women, children and people with a labile psyche.
Yellowish vomit
This condition is often accompanied by a bitter taste in the mouth and pain in the abdominal cavity. It is due to many different factors. Vomiting of bile and diarrhea can be due to the following reasons:
- Disorders of the functions of the biliary tract.
- Ulcerative colitis.
- CNS pathologies.
- Period of bearing a child.
- Regular use of products containing ethyl alcohol (alcoholics are more likely to vomit bile in the morning).
- Pathological processes in liver tissues.
Methods of assistance
If a person suffers from diarrhea and vomiting, what to do in such a situation? If these symptoms occur, you should try to determine their cause if possible. Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract caused by intoxication require the release of the body from harmful substances. If frequent and liquid stools, as well as vomiting do not stop for a long period, you should take drugs that reduce the contractile movements of the organs.
However, you should use such drugs only if the cause of the ailment is food poisoning. Diarrhea and vomiting caused by an infection cannot be treated with such medicines. At a high temperature in a patient, it is recommended to use antipyretics, andalso pills that eliminate spasms. It is necessary to rub the human body with mustard and water (with a strong chill and a feeling of cold in the legs, it should be warm).
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract caused by chronic processes in the digestive organs require therapy with drugs prescribed by the attending physician.
Other methods to help with nausea and vomiting are infusions of dill, lemon balm, tea with honey and ginger root, mint lollipops.
Conditions requiring urgent medical attention
Many patients are interested in the question of how to treat vomiting and diarrhea. However, it should be remembered that some pathologies cannot be attempted to be eliminated on their own.
If these symptoms are accompanied by light-coloured stools, dark urine, and yellowish skin, the person is probably suffering from an acute liver infection. He needs the help of a specialist in a hospital setting.
It is also recommended to call the emergency service if diarrhea, fever and vomiting persist for more than a day, and the patient's condition does not improve. Severe weakness, black-colored stools, and severe abdominal cramps are also dangerous conditions. The same can be said about the stomach contents, which are stained with blood.
You should also go to a medical facility if a person is diabetic, and against the background of this disease, he suffers from diarrhea and nausea.
