Yeast/Tummy Issues (Sorry, I Know This Is Gross)

Updated on February 15, 2014
A.M. asks from Silver Spring, MD
13 answers

My kid and I have both been exposed to stomach virus in the past few days. However, I don't think that a virus is causing the Montezuma's Revenge type symptoms I am having today. I am also treating a yeast infection with plain yogurt. Could the yeast infection cause stomach cramps and diarrhea in an adult? I've googled it and only found matching results for babies with advanced thrush. Ask a nurse line said switch from the yogurt to an OTC yeast infection treatment because I might be lactose intolerant. I don't buy that because I haven't had this type of reaction to eating yogurt so why would a topical application to my um lady parts cause it.

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all of the tips! I was using Whole Foods 365 brand yogurt, but maybe it isn't as full of good bacteria as I thought. I am going to look for some of the probiotics listed when the snow stops.
I didn't think stomach flu because all of my trouble was south of the navel, but it is good to know that it could be the cause. I'm pretty scared of systemic yeast.

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L.O.

answers from Detroit on

when my kids get stomach flu complete with nausea and vomiting.. I get stomach flu with diahrea.. same bug different symptoms..

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J.B.

answers from Boston on

Sounds like the stomach virus to me and not related to the yeast infection. I can't imagine how uncomfortable you must be dealing with both together. Stomach viruses can be pretty nasty depending on the strain. We had norovirus rip through our house a few years ago and 5 out of 6 of us were violently ill - both ends - for several days. It was the most disgusting thing I've had in terms of my own illness or that of any of my kids.

And LOL at the nurse. Pretty sure the lactose in your yogurt - isn't going to make its way to your digestive tract via your vajayjay. If it worked that way we'd really be in trouble ;-)

5 moms found this helpful

T.R.

answers from Milwaukee on

The stomach bug earlier most likely wiped you out of the normal flora of "beneficial bacteria". Vomiting or diarrhea, especially for prolonged periods, can cause issues after the initial virus has left, because what used to help with digestion is now no longer present (or in much less supply). Taking antibiotics can have this same effect, as the drugs do not distinguish between harmful & beneficial bacteria.

Yogurt does have cultures of good bacteria, but it is typically limited to the lactobacillus. Our bodies have many different bacteria that help us out, and sometimes yogurt isn't enough on its own to get our system back to normal.

At your pharmacy, you can get a probiotic called Floragen 3, which has 3 different types of probiotics (good bacteria) that will help reestablish your system to where it needs to be. You do not need a prescription, but it is often kept behind the pharmacy counter, refridgerated.

Talk to your pharmacist to see if this is something that would help you. They may be able to recommend other probiotics as well, based on your personal needs.

Until things are back to normal, try to keep to a blander diet. If after taking the probiotics for a day or two things haven't improved, or if things change for the worse/different symptoms, then you should see your doctor for a follow up.

Good luck! T.

3 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Our pediatrician told us that once a gut is irritated it can stay irritated for a long while after the initial reason for irritation is long gone.
You are most likely still suffering the after effects of the stomach bug.
An irritated gut can become temporarily more irritated by dairy so stay away from milk products for awhile.
You can go a long time without solid food as long as you stay well hydrated and keep your electrolytes in balance.
Give your system a rest from eating solid food.
Drink plenty of clear soup broth, ginger ale, Gatorade, Pedialyte, etc for awhile.
After a week introduce soft/easy foods and gradually get back to your regular eating habits.
Our record for this was 8 weeks before we got back to normal.

Directly applying yogurt to your itch would not cause diarrhea.
As far as the yeast is concerned, you can add 1 cup of plain yogurt to your bath water - your skin will love it.

3 moms found this helpful

T.N.

answers from Albany on

Well, a "stomach virus" is just as happy to settle in your lower digestive tract (causing the runs) or in your upper digestive tract (causing vomiting). The same virus can affect different people in a different spot. So I don't know why you don't associate your runs with this stomach bug.

Either way, it likely has nothing to do with a yeast infection.

:(

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F.B.

answers from New York on

Persimmon -

I am not a doctor (nor do I play one on tv), however, your stomach and digestive tract are differently equipped than your lady parts. Good luck resolving both your digestive issues and your yeast infection. I'd follow the nurses' advise if I were in your shoes.

Best,
F. B.

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P.M.

answers from Portland on

Depending on the brand of yogurt, it may not have the range of probiotic organisms you need to reestablish healthy vaginal flora. I've had great results with an OTC cream plus a good (refrigerated) probiotic capsule with mixed flora. Many brands of both available, probably all fine.

I wouldn't be surprised if you still have aftereffects of the stomach virus making your digestion touchier. I got a whoppin' case of norovirus about a month back, and am still having some instances of cramping and diarrhea following meals. It doesn't seem to matter what I eat; sometimes it just doesn't sit right. I ran out probiotics, which did seem to help, and am convinced I need to get more and keep taking it regularly for awhile.

When my stomach was still too delicate to eat much of anything, I made Slippery Elm tea with a touch of nutmeg, ginger, or cinnamon in it. It's calming and nourishing (great for children, too, as it has almost no taste of its own).

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H.M.

answers from Dallas on

I had lower GI issues the last two weeks and my dr told me to stay away for milk products except for yogart because of the probiotics in them. That's to help put the good bactrias back in you I really don't know about it helping a yeast infection. Usually yeast infections don't cause tommy problems. I would go ahead and get the OTC stuff so that you can get that under control!!!!

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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

Try eating something with cinnamom (real cinnamom) in it. Should help with any tummy issue.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.K.

answers from Wausau on

If you're not a fan of traditional OTC antifungal creams, look for gentian violet. A drop or two on a qtip, applied for a day or two, will do. It also stains things bright purple, so wear a liner and old cotton underwear that you don't mind throwing away.

If you Google 'gentian violet' you'll get a lot of info about it and shopping suggestions.

1 mom found this helpful

D.B.

answers from Boston on

I don't know why topical yogurt (if I understand you correctly, you are applying it, not eating it) would be absorbed in a high enough amount to upset the digestive tract. I also don't know why you think a stomach bug wouldn't migrate from stomach to intestines - of course it does. It's charmingly called "going and throwing" - some people get the vomiting, some the diarrhea, some both.

If you have diarrhea, lay off an eaten diary entirely, and go to "BRAT" - bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, plus lots of water but spread out over the day in small amounts. But only add those foods after the stomach is settled from vomiting. Ginger ale used to be a staple for upset stomachs, but for the last few decades it's been made with so much high fructose corn syrup that it's not a good choice anymore.

In my professional experience, people need to do a lot less eliminating of foods and a lot more smart, sensible supplementation with complete and balanced, highly absorbable, optimal nutrient levels. Latching on to "lactose intolerance" or "food allergies" is creating havoc in our homes - yes, people are reacting to normally harmless foods, but we have the best results (and have happier people!) when we overcome those autoimmune reactions by rendering the offending food harmless (as they should be). A lot of nurses and doctors are on top of nutritional epigenetics, but the vast majority are not and are shoving people into these complicated elimination diets without understanding what's necessary for the proper functioning of the human cells.

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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Nobody has a reaction to yogurt. Aaaargh! If you have any yeast at all and are aware of it, it's much worse that you think. If it shows on the skin or in the vaginal canal, then your body is eaten up with it. Pharmaceuticals, specifically antibiotics, create yeast. Only plant tannins will get rid of it. Plain yogurt, no sugar, will hold it from getting worse. A probiotic is essential for day to day use. Tanalbit is one of the best things. 90 days and it should be gone. Don't expect it to go before then, it took a long time to breed.

God bless,
M.

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I don't think the yogurt is causing it. My doctor always says to EAT Activia yogurt to help with yeast infections.

A stomach virus can be causing your bathroom problems. So can strep. So can dehydration. So can many things.

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