Diarrhea, Vomiting & Bad Stomach Pain: Causes & What to Do

Key takeaways:

• There are multiple causes of stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea presenting at once.
• The presence of particular symptoms should prompt more urgent evaluation by a healthcare professional.
• The cause of these symptoms can vary based on age, socioeconomic status, geographic location, and recent travel history.

Diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain are symptoms that can decrease the quality of your life. These symptoms affect your ability to eat and can cause significant amounts of stress. They have many potential causes and can vary based on factors like age, previous medical history, and family history.

There are treatment options you can try in order to address these symptoms at home. However, some causes may require urgent evaluation from a healthcare professional to prevent other negative health effects. You might need to see a gastroenterologist, which is a physician specializing in the gastrointestinal (digestive) tract.

Common causes of diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain

Diarrhea is defined as a change in your bowel movements to looser stools and increased stool frequency. You may refer to the Bristol Stool Chart, which helps classify the consistency of stool. Diarrhea is classified as types 5 to 7 on the Bristol Stool Chart.

Some features accompanying these symptoms may raise concern for a more serious and potentially life-threatening cause. These features include:

• Bleeding, bright-red or maroon-colored stools
• Unexplained weight loss or fever
• Family history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or colorectal cancer
• Lab abnormalities in blood/serum tests

If you experience any of these features or your symptoms continue to occur despite treatment options, speak with your doctor.

Viral gastroenteritis

The most common cause of stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea is viral gastroenteritis (sometimes called stomach flu). This condition causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Numerous viruses can lead to viral gastroenteritis, including norovirus. Parasites and bacteria may also cause gastroenteritis.

Gastroenteritis can also occur after a different viral infection, such as the common cold. Viruses can alter the normal function of the intestines.

Food poisoning, alcohol, medications, and other exposures

Ingesting certain substances can also lead to symptoms of stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. One of the most common ingestions includes food that has been contaminated in some manner, which leads to food poisoning. Undercooking certain foods is a common cause of food poisoning.

Alcohol also puts you at a higher risk of developing symptoms. Certain medications such as antibiotics, laxatives, chemotherapy, or immunomodulating drugs can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and bad stomach pain.

Gastric abnormalities, pancreatitis, and kidney problems

Abnormalities of the stomach or other organs in your abdomen can cause stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some of these stomach abnormalities include irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, stomach inflammation, and stomach ulcers.

Pancreatitis is defined as inflammation of the pancreas, an organ that helps secrete hormones that help digest food and are important in the utilization and storage of energy.

There are multiple causes of pancreatitis, including anatomical or mechanical issues, metabolic factors, medications, infection, and trauma. Kidney stones, urinary tract infections (UTIs), or other problems with your kidney and bladder can also cause some of the symptoms.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term that typically refers to two specific conditions: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both of these conditions are categorized as intestinal disorders that are associated with inflammation of the intestine.

This inflammation can lead to the symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. The two disorders have key differences but similar symptoms. If you have any family members with IBD, please reach out to your primary care provider.

Experiencing diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and another symptom

You may be experiencing accompanying symptoms in addition to stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. These additional symptoms may suggest a specific cause from the list above, but some other specific scenarios and causes may require evaluation from your primary care provider.

• Chills or fevers: Both chills and fevers suggest a high likelihood of infection causing your symptoms.
• Headache: The presence of a headache may be due to fluid loss in the setting of the other symptoms. If your headache is worse than the other symptoms, there may be a neurological reason.
• Cramps: The presence of cramps may be a result of your symptoms, particularly if you have had multiple episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. Cramps may suggest food poisoning.
• During pregnancy: If you are pregnant, you may experience symptoms of stomach pain and vomiting early in the first trimester. Diarrhea is less common, but it can still occur.

When you should see a doctor about diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain

Understanding the type of medical care you should pursue can help prevent any potentially life-threatening complications.

You should see a doctor if:

• Your symptoms start occurring more frequently
• The volume of your bowel movements continues to increase despite the use of treatment options described above
• You notice weight loss or significant changes in appetite
• You have recently taken antibiotics for an infection
• You are 50 years of age or older
• You experience rectal bleeding or black, tarry stools
• You have pain or diarrhea during the night
• You have fevers greater than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
• You have a close relative with IBD or colorectal cancer

You should go to the emergency room if:

• You vomit up blood or notice bright red blood in your bowel movements
• You experience chest pain or the sensation of a racing heart that does not subside
• You are unable to keep any food or liquids down
• You are fainting
• You are significantly dizzy

Questions to ask your doctor about diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain

• Should I get my blood tested or undergo any other tests?
• Do I need a colonoscopy?
• When will my symptoms get better?
• What other treatment options or medications may help my symptoms?

Common treatment options for diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain

Fortunately, a number of treatment options exist that may help your symptoms. Some of these are specific to certain causes of your symptoms.

If you have tried some of these methods with limited improvement, you should seek the advice of your primary care provider.

Fluids and dietary changes

Hydrating well and avoiding irritating foods can help improve your symptoms. Drinking water can help keep you adequately hydrated.

Other fluids that contain electrolytes and calories are also important since you may be losing these in your vomit and diarrhea. Avoid greasy, fried, spicy, or overly acidic foods.

Anti-nausea medications

There are multiple anti-nausea medications your primary care provider may prescribe. These medications may be especially important if you are unable to keep liquids down due to the nausea.

Antibiotics

As described above, bacterial infections may cause your symptoms. Although not all bacteria require treatment, you may benefit from a course of antibiotics.

Frequently asked questions: vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach flu

There are numerous causes of stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Here are some common questions regarding these symptoms.

What is the fastest way to get rid of a stomach virus?

Focusing on proper hydration and avoiding foods that may worsen your symptoms is the quickest way to get rid of a stomach virus.

Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and other liquids that contain electrolytes and calories, such as Gatorade, broths, and soups.

How long can these symptoms last before you see a doctor?

Symptoms typically last up to a week. If symptoms persist for more than a week, see your primary care provider.

Gut health is important

Gut symptoms can negatively affect the quality of your life, limiting your appetite and affecting your diet. If you have any questions about your symptoms or if they continue to get worse despite treatment, reach out to your primary care provider.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Adam Carewe, MD.

Sources

Grytdal, Scott P et al. “Incidence of Norovirus and Other Viral Pathogens That Cause Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) among Kaiser Permanente Member Populations in the United States, 2012-2013.” PloS one vol. 11,4 e0148395. 26 Apr. 2016, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0148395

Robyn. “Bristol Stool Chart.” Continence Foundation of Australia, 9 Feb. 2024, www.continence.org.au/bristol-stool-chart.

Camilleri, M. (2021, March 2). Diagnosis and Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. JAMA. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2776885