Understanding Vomiting and Nausea
Vomiting is an uncomfortable experience that most people have dealt with at some point. It is the forceful throwing up of the contents of the stomach through the mouth. Nausea, or feeling like you need to vomit, often comes first before the actual act of vomiting.
What Causes Vomiting and Nausea
There are many potential causes of vomiting and nausea, including:
- Food poisoning
- Stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis)
- Morning sickness during pregnancy
- Motion sickness or vertigo
- Overeating
- Intense pain
- Food allergies
- Stomach ulcers
- Concussions or head trauma
- Migraines
- Food intolerances
- Heart attack
- Heat exhaustion or heat stroke
- Alcohol poisoning
- Infections
- Medication side effects
Symptoms That Accompany Vomiting
Along with the act of vomiting itself, other common symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Abdominal cramping or pain
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Watery eyes
- Increased salivation
- Diarrhea
When Vomiting May Indicate a Serious Problem
While vomiting is quite common and often due to minor, temporary issues like food poisoning, it can also signal a more serious medical problem in some cases. Seek prompt medical attention if vomiting is accompanied by any of the following:
- Blood in the vomit
- Severe abdominal pain
- High fever
- Confusion
- Fainting
- A stiff neck
- Unusual headaches
- Weakness or difficulty moving
- Blurry vision
- Jaundice (yellowing skin or eyes)
When to Take Children Who Are Vomiting to the Doctor
For babies and children who are vomiting, be extra vigilant. Seek emergency care if your child experiences any of the following:
- Blood or green fluid in the vomit
- No urine output for 8 hours
- Excessive diarrhea resulting in dehydration
- Intense or worsening abdominal pain
- Signs of shock, like very pale skin, blue lips, confusion
- Fever over 102F
- Young infant under 3 months old with vomiting
- Vomiting for more than 24 hours
- Vomiting after recent head injury
Treating Vomiting and Nausea at Home
When vomiting or nausea is due to minor stomach bugs or motion sickness, some home care steps can provide relief:
Stop Eating Solid Food Temporarily
Give your stomach a rest by avoiding solid food, rich dairy, fatty or spicy foods, and any drinks with alcohol or caffeine, which can further irritate the stomach. Stick to small, bland, liquid foods like broth, watered down juice or sports drinks for electrolytes.
Try Over-the-Counter Nausea Medications
Medications like Emetrol and Pepto-Bismol can help ease nausea. For motion sickness, try over-the-counter meds containing dimenhydrinate or meclizine which may help with dizziness or vertigo too.
Use Natural Remedies for Nausea
Some people find relief from nausea using ginger, peppermint, or chamomile teas, lemon water, or products containing lemon balm oil. Taking slow deep breaths through your nose or going outside for fresh air can also help calm nausea.
Rest and Stay Hydrated
Be sure to get plenty of rest and drink hydrating fluids when vomiting or nauseated to prevent dehydration. Electrolyte-containing sports drinks or coconut water with electrolytes can help replace important minerals lost through vomiting and diarrhea. Avoid plain water which can further dilute stomach acid and electrolytes.
Medical Treatments for Vomiting
If home treatments don't help ease vomiting after 12-24 hours, calling your doctor is recommended. They can determine if an underlying condition is causing your symptoms.
Medications
If vomiting or nausea persist, your doctor may prescribe anti-nausea medications or shots to control vomiting and help prevent dehydration. These may include:
- Promethazine
- Prochlorperazine
- Metoclopramide
- Ondansetron
- Dolasetron
- Dronabinol
- Trimethobenzamide
- Scopolamine
IV Fluids
If you are severely dehydrated from prolonged vomiting and diarrhea, you may need to receive intravenous (IV) fluid replacement in a medical setting to restore fluid, electrolyte, and mineral levels.
Diagnosing Vomiting When No Known Cause
In situations when serious vomiting comes on without an apparent cause like food poisoning or the stomach flu, your doctor will typically run tests to try to pinpoint the underlying problem. Some examples of these tests include:
Blood Tests
Blood tests can check for signs of infections, liver or kidney dysfunction, diabetes and more. Electrolyte imbalances related to fluid loss from vomiting may also be evaluated with blood work.
Imaging Tests
If gastrointestinal issues or internal injuries are suspected, the following imaging tests may be used:
- Abdominal X-ray
- Abdominal CT scan
- Abdominal MRI
- Upper GI series (barium swallow/upper GI radiographs)
Endoscopy
Inserting a tiny camera on a flexible tube down the throat allows gastroenterologists to visually inspect the lining of the upper digestive system including the esophagus, stomach and upper small intestine to check for signs of infection, inflammation, ulcers or tumors that could be causing vomiting.
Preventing Vomiting and Nausea
While vomiting can't always be avoided, the following tips may help reduce your chances of getting sick with nauseating conditions:
Practice Good Hygiene
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, especially after using restrooms, before eating food, and after touching public surfaces. This prevents ingesting nasty stomach bugs that cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Handle Food Safely
Be diligent about safe food handling and storage protocols to avoid foodborne illness from undercooked meats, unpasteurized dairy, contaminated produce and other risky ingredients. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold to inhibit bacterial overgrowth.
Travel Cautiously
When traveling in developing countries, be cautious about local water, fresh produce, and street food sold in unsanitary conditions. Only eat cooked foods served steaming hot. Getting travel vaccines and taking probiotic supplements can also help prevent travelers diarrhea leading to vomiting.
Manage Stress Thoughtfully
Chronic stress can exacerbate gallbladder disease, stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), all of which can cause nausea. Make time for stress relief through regular exercise, meditation, therapy, journaling or other relaxing activities that work for you.
While throwing up is very unpleasant, it serves the important purpose of rapidly emptying your stomach contents when harmful pathogens, toxins or other irritants are detected. Paying attention to vomiting patterns and practicing healthy lifestyle habits reduces the risk for many illnesses associated with nausea and vomiting episodes.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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