Is diarrhea a symptom of indigestion?
ADVERTISEMENT

Q. Can indigestion cause diarrhea?

Answered by
Dr. Geetha Priyadarsini Kamminana
and medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team.
This is a premium question & answer published on Aug 08, 2016 and last reviewed on: Jul 24, 2023

Hello doctor,

I have been having a bad case of diarrhea since last two days. I had outside food before two days and from that time I am experiencing diarrhea. I am excreting around six times daily. The consistency is not completely watery, but still very loose. The symptoms I am experiencing are as follows. I felt feverish yesterday and today not much fever though there is weakness. I cannot stand for long and feel fatigued. Today, I felt some burning in my esophagus like acid reflux while excreting, pain in the stomach and intestine and also below the rib cage. But, the pain is not constant and occurs for around 1-2 minutes per 20 minutes or 30 minutes or 1 hour. I also got dry cough since today. Also, lots of burps as well. I do not feel like eating anything and even the smell makes me feel escape. I feel like eating only fruits. Since yesterday, I have been having rice, mashed potatoes and toast. Is it indigestion or something else? Please help. Thanks.

#

Hello,

Dehydration is a common concern during diarrhea due to the increased loss of water and electrolytes. Replenishing fluids is crucial to address this condition. Drinking at least 200 mL of fluids after each bout of diarrhea is essential. Oral rehydration salts (ORS) can help replenish lost salts, and you can also consume plain water, fresh green coconut water, barley water, unsweetened fruit juice, buttermilk, and lemon water with salt and sugar.

Eating small, Plain foods like wholemeal bread and rice is advisable, and avoid fatty, spicy, or heavy foods initially. Lifestyle changes like avoiding tea, coffee, spicy food, and alcohol, as well as eating multiple small meals throughout the day, are recommended. Elevating the head end of the bed can help manage symptoms, and avoiding painkillers like Aceclofenac or Ibuprofen is important.

For indigestion and gastritis, you may consider taking Tablet Pantop-D (combination of Pantoprazole and Domperidone) once a day before breakfast for five to seven days or until symptoms subside. Additionally, Syrup Gelusil or Sucralfate 3 tsp three times daily, one hour before meals, can be helpful.

In most cases, antidiarrheal medicines are not necessary, but if the frequency is severe and uncontrollable, Loperamide can be considered. If diarrhea persists or worsens with fever and pain, a brief antibiotic course of Tablet O2 (combination of Ofloxacin and Ornidazole) twice daily for three to five days might be needed.

Remember to consult your specialist doctor before taking any medication, and continue to drink plenty of fluids while following the prescribed treatment. With proper care and medication, you should start feeling better within a couple of days.

Thank you doctor,

I am not sure whether I had indigestion. I just wanted to know whether the diarrhea is caused by indigestion, as I am experiencing burps. Should I really need to use those antacids? Because, I have seen that I get diarrhea the next day when I consume antacids on normal days. Will they make my diarrhea worse? Also, I do not eat breakfast, only lunch and dinner is on my schedule and that too at somewhat erratic times. So, can I use the first medicine before lunch as I will not be able to start eating breakfast? Can I take tablet Pantop-D before lunch? How much time before should I take it before my first meal? Shall I take tablet Pantop-D and Gelusil once together and the rest of the time only Gelusil?

#

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. During diarrhea, it is essential to address dehydration by replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes. Drink at least 200 mL of fluids after each watery stool, and consider using Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) along with plain water, fresh coconut water, barley water, unsweetened fruit juice, buttermilk, and lemon water with salt and sugar.

For indigestion and gastritis, Tablet Pantop-D (combination of Pantoprazole and Domperidone) should be taken on an empty stomach, and it can be followed by consuming milk or juice. To manage antacid-induced diarrhea, syrup Sucralfate is a preferred option as it is less frequently associated with such side effects.

In some cases, diarrhea can be linked to reflux disease and bloating, while indigestion may be associated with specific food intolerances like milk, eggs, or peanuts. To prevent gastritis in the future, it is crucial to adopt regular and punctual eating habits.

Remember to consult a specialist doctor before taking any medication, and follow their advice closely. Continue drinking ample fluids and making necessary dietary adjustments to promote a speedy recovery.


Was this answer helpful?

 | 

Same symptoms doesn’t mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!



Related Questions:
I am suffering from diarrhea and slight pain in the stomach. Kindly suggest some medications.

.. for writing, and I understand your concern. As you know, loose motion is usually associated with food poisoning, or intestinal infection so has to treat it accordingly with various type of antibiotics.   Read full

Can stress, weight loss or dehydration cause an increase in alkaline phosphatase level?

.. question was posted under diabetology, I am wondering if you have any endocrine issues. The question asked here is about gastroenterology. The liver tests would be concerning for a liver process like gallstone if the enzymes were not coming back down o   Read full

I have dizziness, loss of appetite, dehydration and changes in CBC report. Please help.

.. the attached report (attachment removed to protect patient identity), cholesterol level is high. For that, take a low-fat diet and do some morning exercise. In one of the attached reports, hemoglobin and PCV (packed cell volume) is high with increas   Read full

Also Read Answers From:

ideaComprehensive Medical Second Opinion.Submit your Case

Also Read


PCOS and Liver Problems
The hormonal imbalances in polycystic ovary syndrome could cause liver diseases. Read the article to know the relationship between these medical conditions.  Read more»
Inferior Alveolar Nerve Lateralization Technique
The inferior alveolar nerve lateralization technique is a surgical lateralization technique to reposition the nerve. Read the article to know more about this.  Read more»
COVID-19 and Ebola: Similarities and Differences
This article gives a comparison and broader overview of the outbreak of the two deadliest diseases that showed a greater incidence over the last two decades.  Read more»

Ask your health query to a doctor online?

Ask an Internal Medicine Physician Now

* guaranteed answer within 4 hours.

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.