• Knowledgebase: Vomiting and Diarrhea Questions

    Questions about the management of Vomiting and Diarrhea.

    1. Why a dairy-free diet with diarrhea or vomiting? - Top

    The intestinal tract is lined with digestive enzymes. When the intestines are injured (such as with a viral infection) the first enzyme to be lost is LACTASE, which is the enzyme that digests LACTOSE. Lactose is the sugar in dairy products and this is the only food source in which it is found. Therefore, dairy products/LACTOSE cannot be digested as well in these circumstances, leading to aggravation of the vomiting or diarrhea.

    Probiotics (acidophilus and lactobacillus) which are found in yogurt have been shown to shorten diarrhea illnesses. many forms are available at the grocery stores and health food shops. regardless of the pill/capsule/chewable pill size, give 1 dose a day in food or chewed up, for perhaps a week.
    - Updated: March 12, 2008

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    • James L Horwitz, MD

    David C. Thomas, MD

    Barbara Lindberg, PNP