Yellow diarrhea with abdominal pain and nausea for over 14 hours

by Debi
(Houston TX)

I was wakened at 3am with horrible abdominal pains, nausea and diarrhea. It was a work day, so I had to be at work at 7:30 that morning, so I took some Pepto Bismol (after enduring several bouts of vomiting and diarrhea) and went on to work. Over the next 3 hours, I began feeling shooting pains in my abdomen and my diarrhea is now light yellow to almost clear. I have a low fever (100.2) and am exhausted. What could this be? How do I treat it so I can get back to a normal life?

Your Abdominal Pain and Yellow Stools

Your symptoms could have various causes, but the most likely are stomach flu symptoms. Other possible causes are pancreatitis, where the pancreas gland becomes inflamed and this can cause serious illness. The 2 most common causes for this are gallstones or alcohol. Gallstone disease and cholecystitis can also cause your symptoms. This is where the gallbladder becomes inflamed and normally requires antibiotics and eventually removal of the gallbladder.

The important thing is to keep yourself hydrated due to potential fluid losses from your diarrhea and likely sweating. Fresh water, preferably with an electrolyte mix (Dioralyte). Pain relief is also important too and avoid alcohol. You should seek medical advice if your symptoms don’t settle or worsen, particularly if you are becoming dehydrated. Plenty of rest and I would also suggest avoiding work for now. If these are stomach flu symptoms then you are going to be potentially contagious to others. Make sure that you wash your hands after having a bowel motion and preferably use a separate toilet to anyone else in your home. Stomach flu symptoms classically last between 3 and 5 days usually.

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