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Student Health 101 General Health
A Reference Guide to Student Health

Digestive and Abdominal Conditions

Abdominal Pain

Constipation

Dehydration

Diarrhea

Heartburn

Hemorrhoids

Nausea and Vomiting

Abdominal Pain
Many different conditions can cause pain in the abdomen. The source can be as simple as gas or a pulled abdominal muscle, or it could be as serious as pain radiating to the abdomen from a heart attack.

Dysfunction in any one of many organs can lead to abdominal pain. Injury to organs in the digestive system, such as the esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small and large intestine, and appendix, call all lead to this type of pain. It can also arise from conditions outside the digestive system, such as menstrual cramps or complications with pregnancy.

With so many possibilities, it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the actual cause.

TREATMENT
Fortunately, the majority of abdominal pain is minor and can be treated at home. Home treatment usually centers on symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and heartburn.

Home Care
To treat minor pain:

  • Rest and drink plenty of fluids.
  • East small meals and avoid spicy foods and foods high in fat such as fried foods.
  • Avoid all alcohol and caffeinated beverages.

Professional Care
Seek medical attention for:

  • Pain that becomes severe
  • Pain that localizes in one area of the abdomen and lasts longer than two hours
  • Abdominal pain that occurs with chest pain or after an injury, such as an automobile accident
  • Pain that lasts longer than three days.

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Constipation
Constipation occurs when stool is hard, dry, and difficult to pass. Normal bowel movement frequency varies from person to person. Some pass stools two or three times a day, while others, every three to five days. If your stools are soft and pass easily, you are not constipated. If you are constipated, you may have cramping, bloating, and pain with bowel movement.

TREATMENT

Home Care

  • Try the prevention measures listed below. These measures are both good general habits and effective treatments if you do experience constipation.
  • Take one of the many nonprescription medicines available, such as a stool softener or a very mild laxative such as milk of magnesia, if the prevention measure below fail to bring relief.

Professional Care
Seek medical attention if:

  • Constipation persists for more than several days despite the measures listed below
  • You have severe abdominal pain or cramping
  • You experience heavy rectal bleeding
  • You experience uncontrollable stool leakage (fecal incontinence)
  • Your stools become very thin, like a pencil

PREVENTION

  • Eat plenty of high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, bran, and whole-grain cereals.
  • Take a supplement such as Metamucil®, FiberCon®, or Citrucel® according to product instructions if your diet is not high in fiber.
  • Drink at least six to eight glasses of water per day.
  • Exercise frequently.
  • Go to the bathroom after meals, as this is the time when your bowels are most likely to move.
  • Ask you physician if any medicines you currently take could be contributing to constipation.
  • Pain medications are especially prone to cause this.

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Dehydration
Dehydration is the loss of water and salt from the body. Many things can cause dehydration. Vomiting, diarrhea, or not drinking enough water, are common causes. Sometimes a high fever or spending too long in the sun and heat can cause dehydration. Medicines such as diuretics (water pills) can cause you to lose too much water. This condition is especially dangerous in the young and elderly. Symptoms of dehydration can include a dry mouth and tongue, extreme thirst, and little or no urination. Other signs include weight loss, fast heartbeat, and sunken eyes. Late signs may include dizziness and confusion.

TREATMENT

Home Care

  • Drink water or an oral rehydration solution if you are vomiting or have diarrhea. It is best to drink small sips frequently because taking larger amounts may make your vomiting worse.
  • Eat small bites of saltine crackers to replace salt.

Professional Care
Seek medical attention if:

  • Vomiting lasts more than 24 hours
  • You are unable to hold down even small sips of fluid because of excessive vomiting
  • You have more than ten stools a day or diarrhea lasts more than 48 hours
  • You develop any late signs of dehydration, such as extreme light-headedness, rapid breathing, fast heartbeat, confusion, sleepiness, or lack of urine for more than eight hours.

PREVENTION

  • Always have water available. Drink eight to ten glasses per day and more during times of exercise or exposure to heat.
  • Be aware of signs and symptoms of dehydration, especially if you are ill with vomiting or diarrhea.

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Diarrhea
Diarrhea occurs when stools are pushed through the intestines before the water in them can be absorbed into the body. This causes more frequent, looser stools, sometimes with abdominal cramping. There are many causes of diarrhea, the most common of which includes infections from viruses, bacteria, or parasites. Certain medications, such as antibiotics and laxatives, can also cause diarrhea.

TREATMENT

Home Care

  • Drink small, frequent sips of water or oral rehydration solution.
  • Avoid dehydration.
  • Avoid eating until you feel better and the frequency of the stools has decreased. Then, begin with mild foods such as toast, dry crackers, rice, and applesauce.
  • Use anti-diarrheal drugs such as Imodium® or Pepto-Bismol® only if there are no other signs of illness, such as fever, chills, or bloody stools.

Professional Care
Seek medical attention if:

  • You have severe diarrhea (large stools every hour, or more then ten stools a day)
  • Your diarrhea lasts longer than one to two weeks
  • Your stools are bloody or black
  • You have diarrhea with fever
  • You develop severe abdominal pain or signs of dehydration
  • You have abdominal pain with fever.

PREVENTION

  • Wash you hands thoroughly and often to decrease the spread of organisms that may lead to diarrhea.
  • Avoid emotional stress and anxiety, which can increase loose stools.
  • Avoid drinking untreated water, which may contain organisms that cause diarrhea. This is especially important when you visit foreign countries or go camping.
  • Avoid artificial sweeteners, such as sorbital, or fat substitutes, such as olestra.
  • Ask your physician if any medications you are taking may be causing your loose stools.

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Heartburn
Despite its name, heartburn does not affect the heart. Heartburn occurs when there is an abnormal entry of stomach acids back into the esophagus. This causes a burning feeling in the chest that spreads towards the neck. You may also experience a sour taste in your mouth. The symptoms are usually worse after a big meal or after you lie down for bed. Symptoms can last from a few minutes up to several hours.

TREATMENT

Home Care

  • Raise the head of your bed by placing blocks underneath the legs.
  • Try nonprescription antacids like Maalox®, Mylanta®, or Tums®.  Acid reducers like Pepcid AC®, Tagamet HB®, and Zantac® are also available.

Professional Care
Seek medical attention if:

  • Heartburn continues after self-care.
  • Your stools are bloody or black
  • You have difficulty and/or pain when swallowing
  • You vomit blood
  • You have pain that spreads into your neck or shoulder or you experience shortness of breath
  • You have pain that becomes severe, like a heavy weight on your chest

PREVENTION

  • Avoid foods that cause heartburn, including fried foods, peppermint, spearmint, citrus fruits, spicy foods, onions, carbonated beverages, and tomato products.
  • Avoid food or drinks that contain caffeine, such as chocolate, soda pop, coffee, and tea.
  • Avoid alcohol.
  • Stop all use of tobacco products.
  • Avoid overeating and late-night meals.
  • Avoid lying down for at least two to three hours after a meal.
  • Avoid medications that can make heartburn worse, such as aspirin, Advil®, and Aleve®.
  • Avoid wearing tight clothes or belts.

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Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins inside or outside the anus. Internal hemorrhoids are dilated veins inside the rectum that do not hurt but may bleed or occasionally bulge through the anus. External hemorrhoids are on the outside of the anus and can itch and cause pain if they fill up with a blood clot (thrombosed hemorrhoid). Some causes of hemorrhoids include straining while trying to have a bowel movement, constipation, excessive body weight, pregnancy, and lifting heavy weights.

TREATMENT

Home Care

  • Take warm soaks three times a day.
  • Gently clean your anus after each bowel movement.
  • Apply ice packs to relieve swelling and pain.
  • Take Tylenol® or Advil® to help relieve pain.
  • Use nonprescription creams or suppositories such as Preparation H® and hydrocortisone 1% cream to help relieve itching.

Professional Care
Seek medical attention for:

  • Rectal bleeding that continues for more than two to three days or occurs for no apparent reason
  • Any bulge coming out of the anus from the inside
  • Fever with bloody stools
  • Severe pain from your hemorrhoids

PREVENTION

  • Avoid constipation and keep your stools soft.
  • Try not to strain while having a bowel movement, and do not sit on the toilet for too long.
  • Avoid heavy lifting or excessive standing or sitting.
  • Exercise regularly.

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Nausea and Vomiting
Most cases of nausea and vomiting are harmless and resolve on their own. However, sometimes, more serious conditions cause these symptoms.

The range of conditions that may cause nausea and vomiting includes:

  • Infection from viruses or bacteria, such as the stomach flu or food poisoning
  • Pregnancy
  • Stress or nervousness
  • Medications, such as certain pain medicines and antibiotics
  • Migraine headache
  • Brain tumor or head injury
  • Appendicitis
  • Brain infection (encephalitis or meningitis)
  • Intestinal blockage
  • Motion (car or boat rides)
  • Problems with organs such as the gallbladder, pancreas, liver, and stomach

TREATMENT

Home Care

  • Avoid solid foods until the vomiting has stopped. When you feel better, slowly start mild foods, such as soups, dry toast, and crackers.
  • Drink clear liquids only and take small amounts frequently. Avoid drinking large amounts at one time, as this can cause more vomiting.
  • Rest, Movement can worsen vomiting.
  • Stop all medicines you feel may be causing the vomiting.
  • Be aware of signs and symptoms of dehydration, especially in the young and elderly.

Professional Care
Seek medical attention if:

  • Signs of dehydration develop (see “Dehydration” on page 33)
  • Vomiting occurs with severe head ache, chest pain, severe abdominal pain, fever and chills, or abdominal swelling
  • Vomit contains blood or a substance that looks like coffee grounds
  • Vomiting lasts more than 24 hours or occurs after a head injury

PREVENTION
Nausea and vomiting can come on very suddenly and therefore can be very difficult to prevent. However, the following measures may help:

  • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly to decrease your risk of getting the stomach flu.
  • Cook meat well and do not leave food unrefrigerated for long periods of time.
  • Contact our physician for preventative medicines if you become car or seasick easily.

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