When to Seek Expert Advice for Nausea and Vomiting?

What Are Nausea and Vomiting?

Nausea is an unpleasant feeling in the stomach that often precedes vomiting. It may or may not be followed by actual vomiting. Vomiting is the forceful throwing up (expelling out) of contents of the stomach through the mouth. Different conditions commonly cause both nausea and vomiting. Both are not diseases per se but non-specific symptoms of various illnesses or disorders.

What Are the Causes of Nausea and Vomiting?

Nausea and vomiting can occur separately or together. The various causes of nausea in adults include:

1. Intense pain due to injury or illness.

2. The first trimester of pregnancy.

3. Motion sickness.

4. Indigestion.

5. Chemotherapy.

6. General anesthesia.

7. Viral infections.

8. Chemical toxins exposure.

9. Emotional stress.

10. Food poisoning.

11. Gallstones.

12. Certain smell.

13. Vestibular neuritis.

Adults vomit rarely, and the causes include:

1. Bacterial or viral infections.

2. Food poisoning.

3. Severe headaches and migraines.

4. High fever.

5. Food intolerance.

6. Celiac disease.

7. Lactose intolerance.

8. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

9. Crohn’s disease.

10. Consuming a large amount of alcohol.

11. Eating disorders (bulimia and anorexia nervosa).

12. Appendicitis.

13. Liver failure.

14. Heart attack.

15. Hiatal hernia.

16. Pancreatitis.

17. Toxic hepatitis.

18. Meningitis.

19. Concussion.

20. Brain tumor.

The causes of vomiting in children are:

1. Viral infections.

2. Food poisoning.

3. Motion sickness.

4. Binge eating.

5. Blocked intestines (in infants).

6. High fever.

7. Cough.

When to Seek Help?

Usually, nausea and vomiting are not serious and common symptoms adults can manage. But, consult a doctor if:

• There is associated fever or abdominal cramping or pain.

• Unable to retain any food or fluid for more than 24 hours.

• It follows a head injury or fall.

• If there is a new or recurring episode of a severe headache or a migraine.

• If one vomits blood, be it fresh (bright red) or old (brown or dark red).

• One is known to have a medical condition involving the heart, kidney, or liver.

• There is severe fatigue or dehydration.

• If the neck is stiff.

• If one is exhibiting mental confusion and rapid pulse.

For a child who is below six years of age, seek emergency care if the child has:

• Projectile vomiting.

• Wrinkled skin, reduced consciousness, and a weak pulse are signs of dehydration.

• Been vomiting for around two to three hours.

• Not urinated in the last six hours.

• A fever of above 100°F (38°C).

For a child who is above six years of age, seek emergency care if the child has:

• Vomited for more than 12 hours.

• Been showing symptoms of dehydration.

• Not urinated in the last six hours.

• A fever of 102°F (39°C) or higher.

When Can Vomiting Become Dangerous?

The following situations can be potentially life-threatening.

• If vomiting is because of severe conditions such as head injury, meningitis, brain tumor, and appendicitis, then it should be taken seriously.

• Dehydration is the most crucial complication of vomiting, especially in kids. It is rare in adults because the symptoms of dehydration, such as increased thirst and dry mouth, make them drink water. However, as kids cannot communicate and identify these symptoms, dehydration can become severe and also fatal. So, if the kid’s lips are dry or they become irritable or confused, give them oral fluids immediately. For infants, less urination and a sunken fontanelle, which is the soft spot on the baby's head, can be considered signs of dehydration.

• Some pregnant women can develop a serious condition called hyperemesis gravidarum, where the woman vomits continuously, which can potentially endanger her and her unborn child’s life.

• In some rare patients, excessive vomiting can lead to a Mallory-Weiss tear, a tear in the lining of the esophagus. This is a medical emergency.

How Does a Doctor Diagnose the Cause of Nausea and Vomiting?

Once you seek a doctor's advice, they will find the cause based on your associated symptoms and history. In some cases, a few investigations may be necessary to rule out certain disorders:

1. Blood tests.

2. Upper GI (gastrointestinal) endoscopy.

3. Ultrasound scan.

What Are the Treatment Options for Nausea and Vomiting?

A. Home Remedies: Nausea and vomiting can be managed at home with these tips:

1. Ginger and citric fruits are known to help ease the queasy feeling. If ginger tea is not agreeable, include it in lemonade.

2. To prevent nausea, eat bland foods such as crackers, toast, or wheat rusk on an empty stomach.

3. Avoid hot, greasy, and spicy foods until one gets completely right.

4. Hydrate one’s body with fresh juices, yogurt drinks, or green tea. Sip only a little fluid at a time.

5. One needs to eat what one feels like whenever comfortable. At this point, refrain from forcing oneself to eat the regular meal on schedule.

6. Although the symptoms come from the stomach, the brain controls nausea and vomiting. So, relax the mind and distract oneself.

7. Surround oneself with pleasant sights and smells.

8. Get ample rest.

9. Take antiemetics as prescribed by the doctor.

B. Medicines:

Many groups of antiemetics may be prescribed based on the cause. Some commonly prescribed drugs include:

• Diphenhydramine.

• Dimenhydrinate.

• Metoclopramide.

• Promethazine.

• Ondansetron.

• Domperidone.

• Doxylamine.

What Are the Possible Complications of Nausea and Vomiting?

Here are some signs to watch out for in case of persistent vomiting:

1. Choking.

2. Dehydration.

3. Increased thirst.

4. Dryness of lips and mouth.

5. Throat irritation.

6. Severe tiredness.

7. Weight loss.

8. Concentrated urine.

Ways to Prevent Nausea and Vomiting:

Preventive tips for nausea include:

• Eat small meals throughout the day instead of two or three large meals.

• Try eating slowly.

• Do not consume foods that are hard to digest.

• Rest after one eats and keep one’s head elevated.

• If the person gets nauseated in the morning, eat some snacks before getting out of bed.

• Instead of drinking water during meals, drink it between meals.

• Drink plenty of water every day.

Ways to Prevent Nausea From Turning into Vomit Are:

• Consume small amounts of sweetened and clear liquids such as fruit juices (avoid orange and grapefruit as they are too acidic). Sugary drinks calm the stomach down.

• Avoid doing any activity for a while and rest.

When to Worry About Nausea?

If the people have the following symptoms, then they need immediate consultation with the doctor; these are

• Vomiting blood.

• Lethargy.

• Confusion.

• Reduced alertness.

• Headache or stiff neck.

• Vomiting and diarrhea.

• Rapid breathing.

• Abdominal pain.

• Vomiting along with fever.

Conclusion:

Nausea is not a fun feeling; it is an unpleasant feeling. Nausea and vomiting can be reasons caused due to other underlying health conditions. Nausea caused due to these reasons can be treated by treating the underlying condition. Usually, nausea can be treated. It can be relieved by drinking ice-cold beverages and intake of bland food.