Being sick is never fun. Having an upset stomach due to an illness can seriously disrupt your daily life. Upset stomachs and symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea can be caused by a wide range of different conditions. Understanding potential causes can help you determine whether you should seek medical care for treatment. This article will review common causes of an upset stomach and when your symptoms may indicate that you should seek medical care.
If you’re feeling sick and in need of rapid same-day care, AFC Urgent Care Southcenter is here to provide same-day illness diagnosis and treatment. Our clinic is open Monday through Saturday, and we accept walk-in patients daily. Simply walk in when it’s convenient, or schedule an appointment online below.
Understanding Potential Causes of an Upset Stomach
If you suddenly develop an upset stomach, you may be scratching your head at what is causing your symptoms. Oftentimes, having an upset stomach seems to happen out of the blue. Here are some common causes of an upset stomach.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is a very common ailment that occurs when you eat or drink something that has been contaminated with a virus or bacteria. This often happens from eating expired foods or foods that weren’t properly stored. Symptoms typically appear a day or two after exposure, and are intense but resolve on their own within 24 hours in most cases.
The Flu
If you’re feeling additional symptoms like a runny nose, congestion, coughing or a sore throat, you could be suffering from the flu. The flu is known to cause severe illness symptoms that mostly affect the upper respiratory system, but it can also cause gastrointestinal upset. Most cases of the flu will resolve on its own in about a week.
Stomach Bug
If you have a sudden onset of vomiting or diarrhea, you also could be suffering from a case of the stomach bug. This illness is caused by viruses much like colds and flus are, but they primarily affect the stomach. Not to be confused with food poisoning, stomach bugs are very contagious and can last a few days before clearing up.
How to Relieve Symptoms at Home
There is nothing worse than having an upset stomach. If you’re suffering from an upset stomach, understanding potential causes can help you narrow down how to treat yourself. Many illnesses that cause an upset stomach will clear up on their own. However, it is important not to become dehydrated while battling an upset stomach. Drinking electrolytes and plenty of fluids, even if you can’t eat, will help give your body the energy it needs to recover quickly. The best treatment for an upset stomach is usually at home support and letting yourself rest until you’re feeling better.
Visit AFC Southcenter for Rapid Same-Day Illness Care
Upset stomachs are very common, and can be caused by many different ailments. If your symptoms are severe and last more than a few days, you may need medical care to prevent complications like severe dehydration. At AFC Urgent Care Southcenter, our walk-in clinic is available Monday through Saturday to provide rapid same-day care for an upset stomach.
At AFC Urgent Care Southcenter, we understand that illnesses can occur out of the blue. Don’t wait for an appointment with your primary care provider to open up. Instead, simply walk into AFC Southcenter for same-day care with no appointment needed. We work with most medical insurance plans, and offer affordable rates for self-paying patients. To learn more, give the clinic a call at (425) 291-3300.
