Diarrhoea and Vomiting: How Can You Fight Them?

Diarrhoea and vomiting are two common symptoms that can affect people of any age. Although they are usually temporary, they can cause discomfort and inconvenience, especially when both symptoms appear together. Today we explain how you can relieve them.

What are diarrhoea and vomiting?

Both symptoms are often ways in which the body tries to eliminate an infectious or toxic agent. If they are not treated correctly and/or in time, they can cause dehydration, tiredness and more.

• Diarrhoea is a symptom characterised by an increased frequency of bowel movements, with stools that are watery in appearance.
• Vomiting consists of the forced and involuntary expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth.

What causes these symptoms?

The causes behind diarrhoea and vomiting occurring at the same time can include the following:

• Gastrointestinal causes: resulting from an intestinal condition.
• Infectious causes: triggered by viruses or bacteria.
• Food poisoning.
• Metabolic and endocrine causes: arising from conditions of this type.
• Drug-related and toxic causes: as an adverse effect of medication or other substances.
• Neurological causes: vertigo, migraines and more.
• Disorders such as anxiety, depression, anorexia nervosa or bulimia.
• Food allergies and intolerances: such as lactose intolerance.
• Pregnancy.

What can you take for vomiting and diarrhoea?

In most cases, symptoms disappear after a few days. However, a series of guidelines should be followed:

Step 1. Hydration

We compensate for the loss of minerals caused by diarrhoea and vomiting by taking oral rehydration solution, which is the only product that specifically replaces these components. This should be complemented with:

• Drinking small sips of water.
• Light broths or mild herbal infusions.

Step 2. Rebalance the intestinal flora

During diarrhoea and vomiting, the intestinal flora or microbiota develops dysbiosis, which means it loses its balance. Once this balance is restored, these symptoms begin to improve and disappear. The recovery and support of the intestinal flora is achieved by taking probiotics, meaning the group of microorganisms that naturally live in our body. Among probiotics used as remedies for vomiting and diarrhoea, we recommend:

• ForteBiotic Intestinal Flora: to help restore the intestinal microbiota during diarrhoea and vomiting.
• ForteBiotic ATB: if these symptoms have been caused by taking antibiotics, we need to provide more specific strains of microorganisms.

In both cases, 1 capsule should be taken a day, preferably in the morning, away from meals and hot drinks, and the dose should be separated from the antibiotic by 2 hours.

Step 3. Rest and a bland diet

What should you eat when you have vomiting and diarrhoea? The diet in cases of vomiting and diarrhoea should focus on small portions of food that are easy to digest, such as:

• White rice.
• Boiled carrot.
• Boiled potato.
• White fish, boiled or grilled.
• Chicken or turkey, boiled or grilled, without the skin.
• Light broths made from chicken, fish or vegetables.
• Cooked or grated apple.
• Ripe banana.

The right thing to do is follow these recommendations, so that the virus or bacterium causing the problem can be eliminated.

However, if you need to stop diarrhoea, you can use anti-diarrhoeal medicines. We recommend Fortasec, whose active ingredient is loperamide, which reduces the number of bowel movements. The usual dose is 2 capsules initially and then 1 capsule after each episode of diarrhoea, up to a maximum of 8 capsules a day.

Remember that you should wash your hands very well and, if symptoms persist or get worse, you should see a doctor.