Stomach pain and diarrhea for 4 days. What can help?

Question

I'm a female; 20 years old and I've been having weird stomach pains(not like cramping or anything, but the kind of pain you get when you have diarrhea. i don't know if that makes sense...) but anyway, for the past four days I've been experiencing stomach pain and diarrhea. Especially while I'm at work. I haven't been eating a lot because I'm afraid I'm going to get sick. It seems that almost every time I eat something I end up feeling sick to my stomach; no matter what it is.

I've been smoking ciggs for about a year and a half, and I know this contributes to the problem, but ever since I was 17, my senior year in high school, I've been having trouble with my stomach and passing bowels a lot more frequently.

I've been having a lot of anxiety for about 6 months now, but it's recently gotten worse after being in several car crashes. So could anxiety be part of the cause of what's going on with my stomach?

I hate even going out anywhere 'cause I know I'm going to get sick to my stomach and it's embarassing.

Any comments or advice on how to get rid of a stomachache/diarrhea??

Answer 1

take some pepto-bismo

Answer 2

It could be a number of things, but the main thing is that you need to find out exactly what it is. A good MD would probably get you tested for some things and if it continues get a colonoscopy. Or an EGD where they go down into your stomach with a lighted small tube and check a biopsy. You cannot go wrong with Pepcid or Prilosec, but you don't want to mask symptoms of a serious disease. Try the brat diet. Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast for a couple of days, and try to stop smoking. That does irritate the bowel.

Answer 3

Here are 2 links that will help you. The first is a symptom checker that may give you an idea of the cause and what to do,, the second is a home remedy site that can help.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/symptom...

http://www.indianchild.com/home_remedies...

and here is one for dealing with stress that will really be useful.

http://health.discovery.com/centers/stre...

Answer 4

You might have Irritable bowel Disease.  In order to treat it, you have to slow down your bowel.  Try taking some Imodium for a few days and see if it helps.

Anxiety can cause an increase in stomach acid secretions, and your are correct, smoking doesn't help this at all.  Try taking some over the counter stomach acid relievers, such as pepcid, prillosec, etc.

As for diet- drink clear liquids, avoid carbonated drinks because they make gas worse, avoid any dairy products at all, drink Gatorade or another electrolyte replacement drink, gingerale(good for stomachs), chicken or beef broth..  When the nausea has gone, start eating very bland food, like bananas, white rice(not butter), noodles, etc.  Your gut may be in need of resting up.

However, if none of those things help the bowel issue, you need to be evaluated for a number of GI problems, such as Crohn's disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Irritable bowel.

Anxiety and Ulcerative Colitis have a lot to do with one another.  You can go to the various websites, such as the American Ulcerative Colitis website, to get more specific information about what the symptoms are and whether yours match or not.

Good luck.

You may also benefit for a short run of anti-depressants/anti- anxiety meds.

Answer 5

Anxiety could be a problem, but have you gone to the doctor???? Try Pecid-Ad but dont over dose,take it as directed,but don't over do it. If it doesn't go away then go see a doctor to get yourself check.