Where nausea and vomiting are not actual diseases themselves, they may be signs of many conditions such as:. However, many doctors suggest that if you have ingested something bad, you can make yourself throw up voluntarily. Usually, in most cases, vomiting is harmless itself, but it is a sign that something in the body is not working how it should be. Most important concern after a series of vomiting is dehydration. Where adults have a lower risk of getting dehydrated, young children are more prone to it as they are unable to detect the symptoms of dehydration.
A lot of water and food is lost when a person vomits, so it is vital to drink lots of water and eat some food after vomiting to bring the body back to a working level. Visible signs of dehydration are dry lips, sunken eyes, high pulse and rapid breathing.
Parents should also keep an eye on decreased urination and color of urine in infants. Also, keep an eye on the color of your vomit. Coffee ground vomit can be a sign of ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD , cancer of the stomach or liver, or other abdominal conditions.
Nausea and vomiting commonly occur in those with infections ranging from influenza to gastroenteritis. Symptoms that occur with nausea and vomiting include:. Vomiting is an involuntary reflex that empties the stomach forcefully. Some people may also self-induce vomiting due to an eating disorder. According to the Mayo Clinic, causes for nausea and vomiting vary widely and can include: 3. If you need to see a doctor for vomiting, they will take your medical history and perform a physical exam to try to find the underlying cause.
A history of your medication will be taken to see if vomiting is a side effect. Blood and urine tests may be done to look for signs of infection. Women may also take a pregnancy test.
Your doctor will also look for signs of dehydration , including dry skin , cracked lips, dark-colored urine, dizziness, fatigue, and sweating and urinating more than usual, according to the National Institutes of Health NIH.
Typically, vomiting eases within 6 to 24 hours with at-home treatment. If vomiting occurs for more than a day, you should see your doctor to see if you need further treatment. Call your pediatrician if your infant or young child experiences vomiting for more than a few hours or if they are vomiting with a high fever over degrees F, notes the Cleveland Clinic. Treatment for nausea and vomiting depends on the underlying cause. Most episodes of vomiting can be treated at home.
Self-care measures you can take to treat vomiting include:. If you are planning a trip and have a history of motion sickness, try over-the-counter medications to treat the condition, like dimenhydrinate and meclizine. For longer journeys like cruises, your doctor may prescribe an adhesive patch to treat motion sickness. Vomiting associated with cancer treatments can often be treated with another type of drug therapy.
There are also prescription and nonprescription drugs that can be used to control vomiting associated with pregnancy. These include vitamin B6 supplements, doxylamine, and a combination drug of doxylamine and pyridoxine. Severe dehydration caused by vomiting may require treatment with intravenous fluids.
A person with nausea has the sensation that vomiting may occur. Other signs that you are about to vomit include gagging, retching, choking, involuntary stomach reflexes, the mouth filling with saliva to protect the teeth from stomach acid , and the need to move or bend over.
If you feel nauseous , resting either in a sitting position or in a propped lying position can help; activity may worsen nausea and may lead to vomiting. Pregnant women experiencing morning sickness can eat some crackers before getting out of bed or eat a high protein snack before going to bed like lean meat or cheese. One of the biggest complications of vomiting is dehydration, which occurs when the body loses more water than it takes in.
When someone is dehydrated, their body does not have enough water to carry out its normal functions. Anyone can become dehydrated, but it is especially dangerous for younger children because they may not be able to tell an adult their symptoms. Older adults are also at an increased risk of dehydration because they have a lower volume of water in their bodies than younger adults.
Older adults may also have medical conditions or take medications that make dehydration more likely. Mild or moderate dehydration can often be reversed by drinking plenty of fluids, but severe dehydration can turn deadly and requires immediate medical treatment.
Scrub your fingernails, and in between your fingers as well. To prevent food poisoning, keep tabs on expiration dates. If you get motion sickness or seasickness, take medication to stop nausea before it starts.
If you feel a migraine coming on, take your headache medication at the earliest warning sign. Finally, tell your doctor when pain is intolerable. He or she can help you find ways to minimize it. And if your medication is making you queasy, ask your doctor about alternative options. Discover common triggers for adults, learn what to do after you throw up, and find out which warning signs should send you to the doctor. Learn more about vaccine availability.
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