What Causes Nausea or Vomiting? Nausea and vomiting are not diseases, but they are symptoms of many conditions such as: Motion sickness or seasickness Early stages of pregnancy (nausea occurs in approximately 50%-90% of all pregnancies; vomiting in 25%-55%) Medication-induced vomiting Intense pain Emotional stress (such as fear) Gallbladder disease Food poisoning Infections (such as the "stomach flu") Overeating A reaction to certain smells or odors Heart attack Concussion or brain injury Brain tumor Ulcers Some forms of cancer Bulimia or other psychological illnesses Gastroparesis or slow stomach emptying (a condition that can be seen in people with diabetes) Ingestion of toxins or excessive amounts of alcohol Bowel obstruction Appendicitis Is Vomiting Harmful? Usually, vomiting is harmless, but it can be a sign of a more serious illness. Some examples of serious conditions that may result in nausea or vomiting include concussions, meningitis (infection of the membrane linings of the brain), intestinal blockage, appendicitis, and brain tumors. When to Call the Doctor About Nausea and Vomiting Call a doctor about nausea and vomiting: If the nausea lasts for more than a few days or if there is a possibility of being pregnant If home treatment is not working, dehydration is present, or a known injury has occurred (such as head injury or infection) that may be causing the vomiting Adults should consult a doctor if vomiting occurs for more than one day, diarrhea and vomiting last more than 24 hours, or there are signs of dehydration. Take an infant or child under six years to the doctor if vomiting lasts more than a few hours, diarrhea is present, signs of dehydration occur, there is a fever, or if the child hasn't urinated for 4-6 hours. Take a child over age six years to the doctor if vomiting lasts one day, diarrhea combined with vomiting lasts for more than 24 hours, there are any signs of dehydration, there is a fever higher than 101 degrees, or the child hasn't urinated for six hours. How Is Vomiting Treated? Treatment for vomiting (regardless of age or cause) includes: Drinking gradually larger amounts of clear liquids Avoiding solid food until the vomiting episode has passed If vomiting and diarrhea last more than 24 hours, an oral rehydrating solution such as Pedialyte should be used to prevent and treat dehydration. Pregnant women experiencing morning sickness can eat some crackers before getting out of bed or eat a high protein snack before going to bed (lean meat or cheese). 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, motion sickness, and some forms of dizziness. However, consult with a doctor before using any of these treatments. How Can I Prevent Nausea? There are several ways to try and prevent nausea from developing: Eat small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals. Eat slowly. Avoid hard-to-digest foods. Consume foods that are cold or room temperature if you are nauseated by the smell of hot or warm foods. Rest after eating with your head elevated about 12 inches above your feet. Drink liquids between meals rather than during meals. Try to eat when you feel less nauseated. How Do I Prevent Vomiting Once I Feel Nauseated? When you begin to feel nauseated, you may be able to prevent vomiting by: Drinking small amounts of clear, sweetened liquids such as soda or fruit juices (except orange and grapefruit juices, because these are too acidic) Resting either in a sitting position or in a propped lying position; activity may worsen nausea and may lead to vomiting.
Nausea and vomiting are quite common occurrences. There are multiple causes of nausea and vomiting. Some of them are listed below. - Excessive eating and drinking - Motion sickness - Stress, anxiety and panic - Foul smell, taste and sight - Toxins and poisons - Gastric problems e.g. peptic ulcer, gastritis, lactose intolerance - Eating disorders e.g. Bulimia nervosa, Anorexia nervosa - Injury to abdomen or head - Morning sickness - Pregnancy - Menstruation - Severe pain - Chronic diseases Treatment of nausea and vomiting include the following medicines. - Ondansetron - Trimethobenzamide - Promethazine - Diphenhydramine
