While food poisoning, intestinal infections, and medications can cause these symptoms, seasons also play a vital role. Norovirus, the major cause of acute gastroenteritis (that causes vomiting and diarrhea), annually affects 19-21 million people in the US, resulting in 465,000 ER visits (mostly in young children). In temperate climates, bacterial diarrhea outbreaks are common in summer, whereas viral diarrhea peaks in winter.
Commonly known as the stomach flu, it is a viral infection affecting your intestines. Viruses causing gastroenteritis are adenovirus, norovirus, rotavirus, and astrovirus.
Read here if you’re infected with Norovirus and possible treatment.
It is a digestive tract disorder caused by parasites, viruses, or bacteria present in food or water. It usually resolves within 2-3 days.
It is an infection of the gut caused by several bacteria, including listeria, E.coli, shigella, salmonella, campylobacter, and staphylococcus
Pregnancy causes morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum, leading to vomiting and diarrhea. Hormonal imbalances, diet changes, food sensitivities, and taking prenatal vitamins during pregnancy can also result in vomiting and diarrhea.
When you are anxious or stressed, your body releases hormones or chemicals that impact your gastrointestinal function, causing vomiting and diarrhea.
Excessive drinking or eating can cause vomiting and diarrhea, along with heartburn, belching, indigestion, and a feeling of fullness in the stomach.
You may experience diarrhea and vomiting as side effects of some medications, including antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.
Generally, vomiting and diarrhea are benign and can be resolved by over-the-counter medications and oral rehydration solutions. However, an adult or child experiencing the following symptoms may require immediate medical intervention to avoid further health complications, including dehydration.
Your healthcare provider will diagnose vomiting and diarrhea by reviewing your symptoms and performing a physical examination to look for signs of dehydration, including dry skin, sunken eyes, cracked lips, excessive sweating, dizziness, fatigue, etc. They may also order blood and urine tests to look for signs of bacterial or viral infections.
Depending on the root cause of the vomiting and diarrhea, your doctor may recommend any of the following treatment options:
Your doctor may prescribe the following over-the-counter medicines to treat vomiting and diarrhea.
Antibiotics are prescribed to treat vomiting and diarrhea caused by bacterial infections (food poisoning).
Your doctor will recommend you to replace lost fluids and electrolytes if you have had several episodes of vomiting or diarrhea.
If your medications have caused vomiting and diarrhea, your doctor may adjust their doses or prescribe alternate drugs.
Your doctor will treat your underlying conditions (if any, including: stress, anxiety, or inflammatory bowel disease) that cause vomiting or diarrhea.
Severe bouts of untreated vomiting and diarrhea can cause severe health complications, including:
So, if you have persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or both, visit one of our urgent care clinics in Irvine, Costa Mesa, or Fountain Valley, CA, right away. As we accept walk-in patients, we will quickly attend to you while ensuring appropriate diagnosis and treatment. You can also reserve your spot online to avoid wait times.
Dr. Bunten is originally from Huntington Beach, CA. He attended high school in Tokyo, Japan, went to college at UC San Diego and then to medical school in the Midwest. He returned home to California for residency training in Family Medicine at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. His immediate family all reside in Huntington Beach.
Dr Fishbein has been in the practice of family medicine for over 35 years in Irvine. He received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University, medical degree from Chicago Medical School, and completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Hospital of Long Beach.
Dr. Kim is the Medical Director of Family Care Centers, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Hoag Hospital, and a recipient of the Physicians of Excellence award from the Orange County Medical Association. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine, and has been practicing in our community for over 20 years.
Dr. Memon is a board certified Family Medicine physician and recently completed her fellowship in Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. She attended Saint George’s University, School of Medicine and completed her residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Her interest in medicine started at an early age and has since evolved into a passionate career.
Dr. Gina Nguyen obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Irvine where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. She went to USC Keck School of Medicine, and returned to UC Irvine for a Family Medicine Residency. Since 2005, she worked at Kaiser Permanente, VNCOC, and Family Care Center Urgent Care.
Dr. Williams is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He is a native to Orange County and returned home after completing his medical degree at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. After completing his residency in family practice he successfully completed a fellowship in sports medicine.
Dr. Hye Lee is a board-certified Family Practice Physician, affiliated with the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice.She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Riverside and earned her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center. Afterward, she did her internship at Downey Regional Medical Center in California and has been a primary care physician since 2005.
Dr. Coyne is a board certified family practice physician and a California native. He completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA before earning his medical degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Dr Coyne spent 6 years in the US Air Force at Andrews and Luke Air Force bases, eventually separating as a Major. He enjoys working with patients of all ages.”
Dr. Jay Friehling is a Family Practice physician who has worked in Orange County since 1981. Born in Florida, he received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and then earned a Medical Degree at the New York Medical College.” His healthcare interests include Diabetes, Geriatric Care, and Hospice Care.
Dr. Jennifer Shoquist is board certified in Family Medicine. Her special interest is woman’s health and her practice accepts patients from 6 years old to seniors. Dr. Shoquist received her M.D. degree at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston in Houston, Texas, and did her residency with Memorial Family Practice at memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Tom is a board certified family medicine physician and native Californian. He received his bachelors of science with great distinction in biochemistry and honors in chemistry. Dr. Tom was awarded a Regents Scholarship to attend medical school at UC Irvine.
Dr. Yan attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Practice residency at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. She joined Family Care Center in 2001. She chose Family Practice because she enjoys working with a wide variety of people and because it provides a unique opportunity for continuing care.
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