What causes stomach pain and diarrhea?
Oct 13, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhao Haiming
Introduction
Diarrhea, commonly referred to as "having loose stools," may result from indigestion, food poisoning, allergies, acute gastroenteritis, gastric ulcers, or other causes when accompanied by stomach pain and frequent bowel movements. During episodes of diarrhea, it's important to drink plenty of fluids, get adequate rest, and maintain a light, easily digestible diet. If diarrhea persists for an extended period, prompt medical evaluation is necessary to identify the underlying cause and initiate appropriate targeted treatment.
Diarrhea usually refers to loose or watery stools. Stomach pain accompanied by diarrhea may be caused by indigestion, food poisoning, allergies, acute gastroenteritis, gastric ulcers, or other reasons.
1. Indigestion
If the abdomen is not kept warm and becomes chilled, or if eating habits are irregular—such as consuming excessive amounts of food at once—food can accumulate in the intestines and fail to be digested and absorbed in time. This may lead to stomach pain along with symptoms such as diarrhea and bloating. It is recommended to take medications such as compound digestive enzyme tablets, Jianwei Xiaoshi tablets, or domperidone tablets under medical guidance to promote intestinal motility and relieve symptoms.
2. Food Poisoning
After consuming contaminated food, toxins may trigger inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. The inflammatory response causes intestinal cells to release fluid, potentially altering stool consistency and leading to symptoms such as dizziness and vomiting. It is advisable to seek prompt medical treatment at a hospital, where methods such as gastric lavage or purgation may be used to accelerate toxin elimination and improve symptoms.
3. Allergy
Consuming foods that trigger an allergic reaction may increase intestinal permeability and disrupt normal gastrointestinal function, resulting in symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and nausea. It is recommended to take antiallergic medications such as diphenhydramine hydrochloride tablets, loratadine tablets, or ebastine tablets under a doctor's supervision to control the allergic response.
4. Acute Gastroenteritis
Following an acute bacterial infection of the gastrointestinal tract, inflammation can irritate the mucosal lining, causing dull stomach pain along with symptoms such as vomiting and nausea. It is recommended to take anti-inflammatory medications such as levofloxacin hydrochloride capsules, amoxicillin capsules, or norfloxacin capsules under medical guidance to control the infection.
5. Gastric Ulcer
When ulcers form in the gastric mucosa, gastric acid and digestive enzymes can erode the ulcerated area, causing acidic irritation and resulting in stomach pain. Additional symptoms may include loss of appetite, bloating, and chest tightness. It is recommended to take medications such as omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, colloidal bismuth pectin capsules, or aluminum magnesium carbonate tablets as directed by a physician to promote ulcer healing and protect the gastric lining.
During episodes of diarrhea, it is important to drink plenty of fluids, rest adequately, and maintain a light, easily digestible diet. If diarrhea persists for an extended period, timely medical evaluation is necessary to identify the underlying cause and initiate appropriate treatment.
