What could be wrong? Sickness?!
Question: My Mum isn't feeling too good, which really isn't like her. The symptoms are:
- she feels sick (but doesn't think she's going to be sick)
- she says her stomach feels 'harder' than normal
- she's got a bubbling feeling in her stomach
- complete loss of appetite (and she says the sickness gets worse after a meal)
- she's had diarrhoea for the past few days
- she feels constantly tired/lethargic
- she has a headache
This has been on and off for about 4 days now. We're on holiday in Florida (we live in England), and I was wondering if it has anything to do with change in diet? Excessive stomach acid or something?
She says she doesn't want to go to the Doctor here in America, and I can't persuade her otherwise. If you think you know what's wrong, let me know and if possible, recommend something - she's trying Peptobismol caplets at the moment, which she says relieve the sickness for a little while, but it returns later [especially after eating].
Help!
Thank you in advance.
Answers: My Mum isn't feeling too good, which really isn't like her. The symptoms are:
- she feels sick (but doesn't think she's going to be sick)
- she says her stomach feels 'harder' than normal
- she's got a bubbling feeling in her stomach
- complete loss of appetite (and she says the sickness gets worse after a meal)
- she's had diarrhoea for the past few days
- she feels constantly tired/lethargic
- she has a headache
This has been on and off for about 4 days now. We're on holiday in Florida (we live in England), and I was wondering if it has anything to do with change in diet? Excessive stomach acid or something?
She says she doesn't want to go to the Doctor here in America, and I can't persuade her otherwise. If you think you know what's wrong, let me know and if possible, recommend something - she's trying Peptobismol caplets at the moment, which she says relieve the sickness for a little while, but it returns later [especially after eating].
Help!
Thank you in advance.
Is there any particular food that is triggering the symptoms? Did the symptoms start when you arrived in Florida?
It sounds to me like she is experiencing dyspepsia symptoms, but it's not clear what ailment is causing them.
Acid reflux is a possible cause, but presumably she would feel pain or burning in her chest and throat, which is a very common symptom. A stomach ulcer might be another cause.
I also know from experience (after brushing my teeth with tap water in India) that mild bacterial bugs will also produce the symptoms that you listed. Without going to a doctor, no one can know for sure, so the best thing is to try and control the symptoms through diet until she can get home.
Here are some things that might help:
Lots of liquids and rehydration salts/Gatorade. This will help if it is viral or bacterial. Yogurt might help to keep the bad bacteria in check, if that is the cause of her symptoms.
She can also try to minimize fat and white carb intake, aswell as coffee and alcohol, and maximize non-citrus fruits, veggies and whole grains (and anything bland), as these will help if it is caused by an ulcer or acid reflux.
it sounds like your mom is suffering from acid reflux. peptobismol is probably the worst thing she could take for this. sounds like she needs a prescription drug, like prevacid, which is by far the best one. she needs to see a dr. asap, and they will run tests to find out for sure, but in the meantime, she needs to stay away from certain foods. anything with tomato paste is a big no-no, juices that are acidy (like orange juice), chocolate, anything greasy, and believe it or not, pastries and donuts are very hard on this condition. please try to get her to see a dr. this is a very common but also a very painful thing. good luck.
It could be a number of things. So instead of guessing the only alternative you have is have her see a doctor.