Will diarrhea cause fluid and electrolyte imbalance?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 20-year-old female with no other health conditions. I started feeling fatigued and nauseous three days ago. I threw up once for three days, and the nausea went away shortly after. Yesterday morning, I started having diarrhea. I went to the bathroom 15 to 20 times for diarrhea despite taking Pepto-Bismol several times.

I am still having diarrhea today, but I only had to go to the bathroom three times in five hours. I am still feeling exhausted and have little appetite. I am currently taking Aubra (Levonorgestrel and Ethinylestradiol tablets) 0.1 mg/0.02 mg once daily.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

You have lost quite a bit of fluid. You need to get rehydrated again. If your loose motion has not stopped, you need to take a tablet of Loperamide once, and you need IV (intravenous) saline to bring your BP (blood pressure) up. It is better to get to the ER (emergency room) and get the IV saline first.

Please go to the hospital now, or ask someone to come over to your place to give you the IV saline. If you have vomiting, do not eat anything, as this will cause more vomiting and you will lose more fluid and electrolytes.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.