Stomach Pain and Diarrhea

Accidentally eating contaminated food or following wrong food habits can cause disorders of the stomach. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, etc., are the common symptoms of gastrointestinal or digestive system diseases. If you too experience these symptoms, there may be a possibility of the following reasons.

Gastroenteritis, or stomach flu, is caused due to an inflammation of the stomach due to parasites. There are two types of gastroenteritis, viral and bacterial. Eating contaminated food and water can cause gastroenteritis. It is more common in young adults and old people. Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration are its symptoms.

Food poisoning is also caused due to consumption of contaminated food. It usually occurs when a person eats food that was cooked for a crowd or in very large amounts.

Food poisoning due to consumption of meat and fish is more common than due to consuming vegetables. Cholera is caused due to food poisoning. Campylobacter, shigella, and salmonella are common food poisoning causing pathogens.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the lower intestine tract. Stomach pain is the most prominent symptom of IBS. It is also characterized by irregular bowel movements. A person may either suffer from constipation or diarrhea. Loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting are the other symptoms of IBS.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is abdominal pain, discomfort, and mood swings experienced by a woman 5-10 days prior to menstruation. The exact cause of this condition is not known. Other symptoms include swelling in legs, feet, abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea.

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the rectum and the large intestine. Unfortunately, even the cause of this disease is unknown. It is more common in teens and older people. Stomach pain and diarrhea are the prominent symptoms of ulcerative colitis.

Apart from the aforementioned ones, the other causes are indigestion, heartburn, stomach ulcers, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, food allergies, giardiasis, lactose intolerance, kidney stones, colon cancer, cystic fibrosis, etc. Nearly all these diseases can be treated by medications as well as certain natural remedies.

Consulting the doctor is the first thing to do if these symptoms are observed. The doctor will ask the patient to undertake blood and urine tests. Treating dehydration is the first step to be followed as diarrhea causes dehydration.

Therefore, the doctor will advise the person to have electrolytic fluids and water. In case of severe diarrhea and dehydration, hospitalization, and IV fluids may be required. The further treatment entirely depends on the underlying cause.

These symptoms can be prevented in most of the cases by following simple precautions. The daily diet plays an important role in avoiding gastric problems.

You should have a balanced diet full of fiber, and avoid fatty, greasy foods that cause gas and bloating. Similarly, drinking plenty of water and eating healthy food are equally important in the prevention of these diseases to a great extent.

Disclaimer: This information in this story is meant for reference purposes only and should not be substituted for doctor's consultation.