# Which is worse: nausea/vomiting or cramping/diarrhea? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 27, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907 "2011-04-27T15:58:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/21 "2011-04-27T18:44:51Z")
You can vomit anywhere without exposing anything you don’t want people to see It rarely smells as bad as shit, and it’s easier to clean up. Diarrhea, on the other hand… ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/22 "2011-04-27T18:49:35Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > The worst, of course, is sitting on the toilet with diarrhea while puking in the bath tub. For me that would be really sucky but quite impressive. Puking in my sink is much easier. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/23 "2011-04-27T20:49:34Z")
Vomiting causes my facial blood vessels to burst fairly easily, and it comes up my nose. I’ll take the diarrhea. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/24 "2011-04-27T21:27:32Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I will do virtually anything to avoid vomiting; I bet I haven’t puked in 20 years or so. > > But the Hersheys? As long as I’m at home (and not, like, at work), bring 'em on. Just let me grab the NY Times Sunday crossword and a pen first. > mmm Dear Mean Mr. Mustard: I know that your usual post sign-off is “mmm”. Seen it plenty. However, something about its appearance at the end of your post in this thread made me read it as if you were commenting on the tastiness of the subject matter; “mmm” as in “mmm mmm good”. And that, in and of itself, is making me nauseated. That is all. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/25 "2011-04-27T21:27:32Z")
The runs and cramping over vomiting any day. I hate the taste, I hate the smell, I hate the sound, I hate the nausea. I have trouble wrapping my mind around voluntary bulimia. Well OK, I can understand eating something you are not supposed to eat on a diet, and I can understand self loathing but not the actual vomiting. With cramps and the runs I can huddle on the toilet and be unhappy, with my netbook balanced on the corner of the sink so I can stream netflix. [usually I can’t manage to concentrate on reading and I don’t want to interact with anybody else until it is over.] I have to move into the bathroom until whatever is over, the act of waking up, getting out of bed and hobbling to the bathroom on crutches, or schlepping into a chair tends to mean an accident somewhere between the bedroom and the bathroom. Easier just to go hang out in there until it winds down. ---
**Author:** ![Marc\_Xenos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@Marc\_Xenos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marc_Xenos)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/26 "2011-04-27T21:40:38Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > Obviously the worst is when you have them both at the same time, but when you only have one, which is worse? Let’s say you have to get up every 20 minutes to either throw up or have diarrhea, and the rest of the time you’re either queasy or cramping, respectively. Which is worse? Isn’t that like asking which is worse, getting shot with a 9mm or a .45? Which is worse, getting run over by a Chevy or a Ford? Which is worse, getting beaten by a billy club or a crowbar? Which is worse, getting stuck by lightning or having a boulder roll over you? Is this one of those GEICO ad concepts? Can switching to GEICO really save you 15% or more on your car insurance? Does Dolly Parton have trouble seeing her belly button? (There’s an ad I’d LOVE to see!) ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/27 "2011-04-27T22:03:07Z")
I haven’t thrown up since 1985 (seriously) and I remember that it was thoroughly unpleasant. The heaves… the taste… the feeling it would NEVER STOP… Diarrhea isn’t pleasant, but at least that part of the body is _designed_ for stuff going in that direction. Anyway, I voted that nausea / vomiting was worse. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/28 "2011-04-27T22:13:17Z")
Depends on the severity. For a light to moderate case, puking is worse than diarrhea. But if it’s bad, I’d a hell of a lot rather puke. Horrible puking and nausea makes you think you’re going to die. Horrible diarrhea and stomach cramps makes you wish you were dead. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/29 "2011-04-27T22:20:58Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > For me at least, diarrhea is a somewhat contained discomfort. I mean, cramps suck but at least I can sit on the toilet and listen to music and knit. I will not be wearing any scarves gifted to me by Alice. > [@corkboard](#): > > Dear Mean Mr. Mustard: > > I know that your usual post sign-off is “mmm”. Seen it plenty. However, something about its appearance at the end of your post in this thread made me read it as if you were commenting on the tastiness of the subject matter; “mmm” as in “mmm mmm good”. And that, in and of itself, is making me nauseated. > > That is all. The biggest laugh of my day. Thanks. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/30 "2011-04-27T22:48:21Z")
> [@mozchron](#): > > Not to be TMI, but I got sent to the emergency room for diarrhea a couple weeks ago - got 2 full IV saline bags for severe dehydration. > > (vital stats at admittance: - BP: 92/50, heart rate 126 beats/min) > > Of course, same thing happened to a friend recently from convulsive vomiting. > > I think both options are equally good 🙂 I almost died – vital stats on admittance – 60/20. I had had the diarrhea for less than a full day, and the “nurse” at my doctor’s office, who told me on Friday no appointments were available, suggested I call back Monday if I wasn’t better. I’ll vomit, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/31 "2011-04-28T00:22:38Z")
Vomiting is unnatural. Bodily fluids are not supposed to be expelled out of your mouth. Diarrhea is not fun but at least it’s part of the natural order. ---
**Author:** ![Maiira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Maiira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maiira)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/32 "2011-04-28T01:08:02Z")
I’ll take diarrhea. Much easier to hold in if you have to (like, if you’re at work and can’t get to a toilet right away) in my experience. When I have to vomit, there ain’t no waiting. Also, after I vomit I always feel exhausted and drained. Diarrhea, for the most part, just makes me feel better, at least for awhile. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/33 "2011-04-28T02:31:51Z")
I had typed out a long response, but then voted before posting and it was erased. Probably for the better, it was too graphic and kinda whiney. I will just say that due to many surgeries, vomiting is quite painful for me. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/34 "2011-04-28T02:37:20Z")
Extreme cramps, the kind that make you feel like Satan is playing accordion with your intestines, is the worst. So, my ranking is: Xtreme Kramps --\> Vomiting —\> Explosive Diarrhea —\> Nauseau —\> Regular Cramps —\> Diarrhea ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/35 "2011-04-28T04:39:40Z")
I picked the cramping/diarrhea, but I’d still take vomiting over ‘nausea that won’t quit’ any day. At least if you can puke it up you will sometimes feel better. Now if I have a bowel obstruction and I am vomiting what is basically the early liquid stool, then just kill me. I’ve seen the worst of both worlds. ---
**Author:** ![nikonikosuru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@nikonikosuru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nikonikosuru)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/36 "2011-04-28T06:35:48Z")
Vomiting. I’ve developed such a phobia to it that I just cannot vomit anymore. Even when I know that I’d feel better if I just let myself do it, my body holds it back so that I just remain sick for the rest of the day. ☹ It probably has to do with just how terrible the process feels…The metallic saliva taste in the back of your throat, the churning stomach, the feeling of your insides getting ready to evacuate…Bleh. That, and the last time I vomited I was at school, so I guess that was a little traumatizing. I’ll still take diarrhea and cramps over that any day. Cramps are pretty tolerable, they come and go. At least in between pooping you can do things around the house. Hell, you can even sit on the toilet with a book or laptop. But you can’t really multitask when you’re gripping that porcelain bowl and waiting for it all to be over with. ---
**Author:** ![SecondJudith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@SecondJudith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecondJudith)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/37 "2011-04-28T10:03:20Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I can read a book while doing the latter. The former, not so much. Came in here to say this. ---
**Author:** ![Khaki\_Campbell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Khaki\_Campbell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khaki_Campbell)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/38 "2011-04-28T10:17:19Z")
Vomiting is far worse. It can’t be stopped. And there’s this feeling of sheer powerlessness a few seconds before the first emission starts. Diarrhea ? A few minutes on the throne, 4 milligrams of loperamide (one of the most efficient drugs in the world), a shower, and it’s over. ---
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/39 "2011-04-28T11:16:36Z")
I’ve been known to set up my laptop on a chair next to the loo so I could browse the web/watch iPlayer whilst sitting on the loo. You can’t multitask when you’re vomiting. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907/40 "2011-04-29T04:58:30Z")
Vomiting is the worse for me. The last time I vomited it was accompanied by severe vertigo. And it was the dry heaves. Absolute the worst is vomiting, and nothing comes out. I’ll take diarrhea anytime over vomiting. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-nausea-vomiting-or-cramping-diarrhea/579907.md?page=3)