Nausea
and Vomiting
What
is it?
Nausea is a feeling of
sickness in the stomach, usually accompanied by
the urge to vomit. Vomiting is the forceful
ejection of the stomach contents through the
mouth.
Who
gets it?
Anyone can experience nausea
and vomiting.
What
causes it?
Nausea and vomiting occur
when the vomiting center in the brain is activated
by any number of causes.
These can include overeating, eating foods
that are spoiled, drinking too much alcohol, food
allergies, medication, or illness.
Drugs used in the treatment of cancer and
for pain relief frequently cause nausea and
vomiting.
Some people become nauseated and vomit from the motion of a
vehicle, boat, or airplane. Nausea
and vomiting are common in the early stages of
pregnancy, especially in the morning.
Migraine headaches are also frequent causes
of nausea and vomiting.
Other physical causes include gallstones,
intestinal obstructions, gastroenteritis, and
irritation or inflammation of the stomach.
There are psychological causes of nausea
and vomiting also.
These range from stress and fear, to more
serious causes like bulimia (intentional vomiting
to control weight).
Because the treatment and severity of the
problem depends upon the cause, you should always
check with your doctor if you have persistent,
unexplained, or recurring nausea and vomiting.
Nausea and vomiting in infants and young
children should always be treated by a doctor.
Projectile vomiting in infants can be a
sign of pyloric stenosis, a blockage at the
stomach outlet that must be treated immediately.
What
are the symptoms?
The symptom of nausea is a
general feeling of sickness in the stomach.
You may or may not feel slightly dizzy.
Just before vomiting, you may salivate
considerably and begin to retch (dry heaves).
People generally feel relieved after
vomiting.
How
is it diagnosed?
Your doctor will examine you
and ask questions to help identify the cause of
the nausea and vomiting.
When vomiting is frequent and severe, he or
she may order blood tests and urinalysis.
You may need to have x-rays or ultrasound
studies of the stomach, intestine, pancreas, and
gallbladder.
What
is the treatment?
The treatment of nausea and
vomiting depends upon the cause.
If the cause is simple stomach upset, you
can relieve symptoms by eating a bland diet and
drinking clear liquids until the symptoms are
gone. Because
frequent vomiting can cause dehydration, it’s
important to drink plenty of fluids.
Sports drinks are effective for replacing
lost fluids and minerals without irritating the
stomach. Return
to your normal diet gradually.
If you suffer from motion sickness, ask
your doctor about effective medications or
acupressure wristbands to counteract this problem.
Nausea and vomiting with psychological
causes may require medications and psychotherapy.
Self-care
tips
Make sure foods are properly
cooked before eating them and don’t eat foods
you are allergic to.
If you suffer from motions sickness, try
sitting in the front seat and taking anti-nausea
medication before you travel.
Call your doctor if nausea and vomiting
last longer than 48 hours, and if they occur after
eating spoiled food, food you know you are
allergic to, or after taking a new medication.
Also contact your doctor if nausea and
vomiting are stomach pain, dehydration, severe
headache, drowsiness or confusion, difficulty
swallowing or urinating, or fruity breath odor.
These symptoms can be signs of a more
serious condition.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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