how to stop loose motion and stomach pain immediately - #15609
I am in a bit of a panic right now because I've been dealing with major loose motion and stomach pain. This all started after I ate some leftover takeout from a new place I tried, and boy did that not sit well with me! I thought it was just a little upset tummy at first, but then it got worse. Like, I can’t even keep anything down, and the stomach pain feels like a constant bad cramp. I can’t believe how quickly this escalated. I've tried some home remedies like ginger tea and bananas, but nothing seems to be working to stop the loose motion and stomach pain. I even tried electrolytes but they just made it worse! I feel so dehydrated and weak, and it’s been really hard to focus on anything else. I’m a bit worried it might be something worse. So, can anyone tell me how to stop loose motion and stomach pain immediately? What should I do to ease this or should I just head to the ER? Any advice on what works fastest to deal with this mess would be super helpful. Thanks!
100% Anonymously
No sign-up needed.

Doctors’ responses
Given your symptoms of loose motion and significant stomach pain especially following a meal, it’s likely you might be experiencing gastroenteritis or food poisoning. If you’re unable to keep any fluids down and are feeling extremely weak, there’s a real concern about dehydration, especially since you mentioned feeling dehydrated and that electrolytes didn’t sit well with you. Normally, for mild cases, you could try to stay hydrated using oral rehydration solutions (ORS) which contain the right balance of electrolytes, but if you’ve already tried them to no avail, and symptoms are not abating, it’s crucial to know when to seek medical care. Persistent vomiting, high fever, severe abdominal pain, or signs of dehydration like dizzyness or rapid heartbeat are reasons to head to the ER. They can provide IV fluids if you’re too dehydrated to manage oral intake.
At home, if you haven’t tried yet, sticking to “BRAT” diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) can be easier on the stomach, although you’ve mentioned bananas with no relief. Over-the-counter medications like loperamide could help reduce diarrheal frequency short-term but aren’t ideal if there’s an infection that needs to be cleared, so avoid unless recommended by a physician, especially with prominent abdominal pain. Avoid dairy, fatty, and spicy foods for now, as they can exacerbate symptoms. Consider keeping track of symptoms, cause and effect with food trials, it could help when you see a healthcare provider. Meanwhile, take small sips of water intermittently rather than large amounts at once to see if it’s better tolerated, but given the severity do not delay evaluation. Rapid treatment is key and visiting a healthcare facility would be the safest step in your case.
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.
About our doctors
Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.