MANAGEMENT OF DIARRHOEA, VOMITING, AND OTHER SYMPTOMS OF GASTROENTERITIS
- DO drink plenty of fluids, the best drink is ordinary squash as
it contains salts and sugar which can replace those the body loses
when you have diarrhoea/vomiting
- DO drink little and often, approximately, one glass of drink over
an hour in sips
- DO eat foods such as soups, toast, eggs, rice, potatoes and pasta
dishes, when you feel you can tolerate food. Meat, fish and other
protein sources are fine in small amounts until your symptoms have
settled fully
- DON'T drink coffee, strong tea, fruit juice or milk. These can make your symptoms worse and give you stomach cramps known as colic
- DON'T eat fruit such as oranges until the diarrhoea has settled
- DON'T eat vegetables especially beans, spinach and other greens. These can make your diarrhoea worse. Start to eat small amounts of vegetables once your symptoms have settled completely
Anti-diarrhoeal medication is not very effective and may slow recovery, but if you wish you can buy this from a pharmacy without a prescription. If diarrhoea or vomiting lasts longer than 2 days you should consult a doctor
NHS
Direct 0845 46 47 www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
