[20F] Experiencing chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, possible diagnoses include:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. Signs and symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both. IBS is a chronic condition that you'll need to manage long term.

  • Treatment of IBS typically involves long-term strategies to manage symptoms, including dietary adjustments, medication, and stress management.

• Lactose Intolerance: This is a common condition that's more prevalent in people of East Asian descent. It can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramping, bloating, and gas after consuming dairy products.

  • Treatment of lactose intolerance involves avoiding lactose-containing foods, beverages, and medications.

• Celiac Disease: This is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. For people with celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response in the small intestine. Over time, this reaction damages the small intestine's lining and prevents absorption of some nutrients.

  • Treatment of celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet.

• Gastroenteritis: This condition causes inflammation in your stomach and intestines. This can result in severe diarrhea and vomiting.

  • Treatment of gastroenteritis usually involves rehydration and rest.

Please note that these are potential explanations for your symptoms based on the information you've provided, but they are not definitive diagnoses. Only a healthcare professional can provide a formal diagnosis.

What you can do

1. Try a lactose-free diet for a week to see if your symptoms improve. This includes avoiding all dairy products.
2. If this doesn't help, try a gluten-free diet for a week. This includes all wheat, rye, and barley. If your symptoms are due to Celiac Disease, they should begin to resolve after only a few days of strictly no gluten products.
3. Keep a food diary to track what you eat and how you feel afterwards. This can help you and your doctor identify any food triggers.
4. Stay hydrated. Diarrhea can cause dehydration, so it's important to drink plenty of fluids. Water is the best choice.
5. Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of three large meals a day.
6. Try over-the-counter remedies. For example, loperamide (Imodium) can help relieve diarrhea by slowing down the movement of the gut.

What you should look out for

Seek immediate medical attention if:

• Your diarrhea and vomiting last more than a few days.
• You have a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
• You see blood in your stools or vomit.
• You're unable to keep liquids down for 24 hours.
• You have severe abdominal or rectal pain.
• You become dehydrated — as evidenced by excessive thirst, dry mouth, deep yellow urine or little or no urine, and severe weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness.

Remember, I'm an AI and this advice is based on the information you've given me. It's always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional for a formal diagnosis and treatment.