OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Experiencing Diarrhea and Nausea After Dining Out

3/25/2025, 9:40:23 AMMale25-34

As a 23-year-old male, I dined out last night and headed to bed around 11:30 PM. Initially, everything seemed fine, but I struggled to get a good night's sleep, frequently waking up feeling a bit unwell. By 5 AM, I found myself rushing to the bathroom with what I can only describe as liquid stool. Additionally, my legs have been inexplicably sore, despite having worked out at the gym just two days prior, when I had no discomfort at all. In a moment of poor judgment, I consumed yogurt, some bread, and a glass of milk, which unfortunately led to vomiting due to the dairy intake. I've been hydrating with plenty of electrolytes and am currently sipping on a protein shake. However, I have lost my appetite and feel inclined to sleep rather than eat or engage in any activities. I would appreciate any suggestions. My grandparents, who worry excessively, would likely panic if they knew I had to visit a hospital.

DehydrationPost-Viral FatigueBurnout

Answers (1)

Cony

3/25/2025, 9:40:38 AM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you're experiencing gastrointestinal distress after dining out, which can happen due to foodborne illness or sensitivity to certain foods. Your symptoms of nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue, along with soreness in your legs, suggest your body is reacting strongly to something you consumed, possibly due to an upset stomach or dehydration. First and foremost, let’s focus on managing your symptoms and ensuring your comfort.

Explanation:

Foodborne illnesses can cause symptoms like yours and often resolve on their own. Your current focus on hydration is very important, as diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration. The soreness in your legs may be a result of either dehydration, fatigue from illness, or possibly due to overexertion during your recent workout.

Next Steps:

  1. Hydration is Key: Continue to drink clear fluids. Electrolyte solutions (like oral rehydration solutions) are great, but avoid sugary or carbonated drinks, as they can worsen diarrhea. Sip fluids slowly if you're having nausea.

  2. Rest: Prioritize sleeping and resting your body. This will help your immune system fight off whatever is causing your symptoms.

  3. Diet Considerations: Once you feel ready to eat, start with bland foods such as toast, rice, bananas, or applesauce (known as the BRAT diet). Avoid dairy, fatty, or spicy foods until you're feeling better.

  4. Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on your symptoms. If diarrhea persists beyond 48 hours, or if you experience severe symptoms like high fever, blood in stool, or extreme dehydration (such as infrequent urination or dry mouth), these would be signs to seek medical attention.

  5. Stay Calm: It's understandable that family can worry, but try to rest and take care of yourself first. If your symptoms improve over the next day or two, you may not need to share these details.

If you have any questions or if your condition worsens, feel free to reach out. Take care, and I hope you feel better soon!

Related Questions

Significant Bloating Following General Anesthesia

It has been just over a day since I underwent general anesthesia, and I currently feel as if I’m six months along in pregnancy. Despite only having a little food during this period, I am experiencing considerable discomfort, akin to having indulged in three feast meals! As a healthy 47-year-old woman who is not on any other medications, I underwent a dental implant procedure that was free of complications and did not require any pain relief medication afterwards. Could this sensation be attributed to gas, and if so, what could be causing it? How long might this discomfort persist? I have come across suggestions that using heat, peppermint, and engaging in walking or stretching may alleviate the situation. Are there any additional remedies or strategies that could provide relief?

DehydrationInternal MedicineEndocrinology
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Chronic Leg Discomfort Since Childhood

I am a 14-year-old female who has experienced persistent discomfort in my legs for as long as I can recall, and the cause remains unclear. The maximum duration I can manage to walk without feeling faint is around 10 minutes, while I can only walk for about 5 minutes without needing to pause. Even when I’m at rest, I feel a dull ache in my legs, despite the rest of my body feeling relaxed. This discomfort predominantly occurs around my joints, particularly my knees and ankles, although my calves also become tender with minimal exertion. My feet tend to be perpetually cold, rarely warming up even when the rest of my body does. During my menstrual periods, I find it extremely difficult to walk, often having to hold onto walls just to navigate short distances. I've always maintained a healthy weight and I don't consider myself unhealthy overall. The only medical condition I’ve been officially diagnosed with is autism, although I'm unsure if this has any relevance to my symptoms.

Chronic FatigueMuscle WeaknessDehydration
Male25-34
2 hours ago

Seeking Help for My 5-Year-Old Son with Autism and Constipation Issues

Hello, I am reaching out regarding my 5-year-old son who is non-verbal and has autism. He also shows signs of ADHD, although this has not yet been officially diagnosed. Typically, he is very energetic, cheerful, and expressive. He thrives in his school environment, where he is supported by a wonderful team of special education teachers. He doesn’t take any regular medications, except for melatonin to assist with his sleep. Recently, on December 19th, he developed a rash while at school, which resembled hives on his neck, face, and feet, with accompanying swelling in his hands. By the time we went to urgent care, the rash had disappeared, and he was given Benadryl. Unfortunately, the rash recurred a couple of times at home, though we only administered Benadryl on two occasions. Following this, during Christmas break, I noticed he became increasingly emotional, crying daily, appearing more fatigued, and having less energy overall, although he was usually still able to be comforted. I visited the pediatrician twice during this period, and lab tests came back normal, except for a positive COVID-19 result. The doctor prescribed guanfacine and clonidine for him (I apologize if I spelled those incorrectly), but I chose not to give him these medications since they weren't intended for behavioral issues. When school resumed, for the most part, he seemed to manage well until last week when he experienced another rash episode at school, occurring twice. I decided to try a non-drowsy allergy medication for him, but his emotional state deteriorated again, leading him to cry throughout the school day. His teachers expressed concern, stating that he appeared to be in discomfort, which they confirmed is not related to behavioral issues. At home, he has been very upset and inconsolable. As a result, I took him to the hospital yesterday. They sedated him for a head CT and abdominal ultrasound, both of which showed no abnormalities. They prescribed Miralax and suggested looking into ABA therapy since his autism diagnosis may automatically point to behavioral factors, which frustrated me. Today, he has spent the entire day crying and has remained in bed, clearly exhausted. I am administering the Miralax, and he seems visibly uncomfortable, but he hasn't had a bowel movement yet. His last stool was two days ago, and only a tiny amount has come out since then. I’m uncertain if the rash and his current symptoms are related to constipation or if I am missing a more serious issue entirely. This is very distressing. We have a dental appointment scheduled for Tuesday to rule out any dental issues, our fourth visit with the pediatrician on Wednesday, and a phone consultation with an allergist also on Wednesday. I would greatly appreciate any insights or questions I should bring up during our pediatrician visit, as well as any tips or suggestions. I'm feeling quite desperate for help. Thank you!

Chronic FatigueMuscle WeaknessBurnout
Male25-34
4 hours ago

Nosebleed Episode After Extended Dry Heaving

I’m a 28-year-old male, standing at 5'7.5" and weighing 280 pounds. My background is Jewish, though I don't believe that detail is particularly relevant here. I deal with various health conditions including Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), potential May-Thurner syndrome (still under evaluation by my doctor), restless leg syndrome, sciatica, spinal stenosis, plantar fasciitis, along with a range of mental health challenges. My current medications consist of minoxidil, lamotrigine, bupropion, and a low dosage of Xanax. Greetings everyone! I have been struggling with relentless bouts of retching—primarily dry heaves, akin to ‘morning sickness’—that have persisted throughout January and into February. I can’t pinpoint any changes in my diet, medications, or lifestyle that could have triggered this episode. Interestingly, I don't usually feel nausea in my belly; instead, it manifests mostly in my throat and chest. Although I suffer from GERD, this is an unusual level of discomfort for me. I normally manage it with calcium supplements and occasional omeprazole, but I keep that to a minimum to avoid additional stomach issues. Despite my efforts, my dietary choices aren't particularly acidic. I find myself expelling mostly saliva and stomach acid rather than actual food. Zofran hasn’t alleviated the persistent nausea I’m experiencing. I consulted my primary care physician about these issues, but unfortunately, his recommendations weren’t helpful. He implies that my nausea stems from not maintaining a proper diet, suggesting that if I could just afford better food, I wouldn’t have this problem. He was far from supportive, and to make matters worse, every GI clinic nearby isn't accepting new patients for months, so finding a specialist has been quite challenging. Today, during another episode of retching, I finally ended up vomiting a small piece of apple along with the usual saliva and stomach acid. This was alarming, but even more concerning was the sudden onset of a severe nosebleed. It wasn’t a mere trickle; blood was pouring from my nose, staining my chin and dripping onto the floor. I hurried to the bathroom and managed to curb the bleeding within five minutes, but the experience rattled me considerably. I felt dizzy and unsteady throughout the day following this incident. Could there be a link between the excessive vomiting and the nosebleed? Is it possible that such intense straining caused a rupture in a blood vessel in my nose? Additionally, I’m curious if anyone has insight into the cause of my persistent nausea. With the recent bleeding, my speculation leans towards an irritation in my sinuses causing me to unknowingly swallow blood at night, contributing to the nausea. Despite retching five to ten times daily, this sudden, severe bleeding is a new development. Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions; apologies for the lengthy post!

Post-Viral FatigueBurnoutInternal Medicine
Male25-34
6 hours ago

Dealing with Nausea and Vomiting

Hello, I'm a 16-year-old male. For the last five hours, I've been experiencing persistent vomiting accompanied by feelings of nausea. Could anyone share some tips on how to alleviate this condition?

DehydrationPost-Viral FatigueBurnout
Male25-34
8 hours ago