Nausea and Vomiting
(Vomiting · Upset Stomach)
In this condition factsheet:
Diagnosing Nausea and Vomiting
A physical examination, your health history, laboratory tests, and other tests are all used by your doctor to find the cause for your nausea and vomiting.
In most cases, the cause of nausea and vomiting is easily identified, as it may occur in a known pregnancy or shortly after ingesting a drug or toxin.
Vomiting can be an indication of serious health problems such as gall bladder inflammation, intestinal obstruction, peptic ulcer disease, acute hepatitis, complications from diabetes, acute gastroenteritis (stomach flu), meningitis, and cancer.
Bacterial and viral infections, which include "stomach flu," are common causes of nausea and vomiting. These conditions, however, are often accompanied by other familiar symptoms such as aches and fever.
Pregnancy should be considered a potential cause for any female of childbearing age.
Treating and Preventing Nausea and Vomiting
In most simple cases of vomiting, it will stop on its own once the contents of the stomach have been expelled. This only takes a few minutes, but you can still feel nausea and keep retching after your stomach has emptied.
For healthy adults and older children simple cases of vomiting do not usually require further medical attention. Drinking clear fluids can help prevent dehydration. When older adults and young children have prolonged vomiting (i.e., more than one day) or have other symptoms such as stomach pain, swollen stomach, headache, confusion, or weakness they should be seen by a doctor.
For people who are nauseated by strong smells and tastes, avoiding these triggers can help, as can eating small amounts of bland food, such as crackers, throughout the day.
When vomiting is persistent, anti-nausea medications can be prescribed, and tests can be conducted to find an underlying cause or more extensive health problem. In severe cases, the medications may need to be given as an intravenous injection (into the vein) if a person is actively vomiting. Taking anti-nausea medications for a long time isn't recommended, and they shouldn't be taken during any stage of pregnancy without consulting a physician first. Antihistamines, such as dimenhydrinate*, may be used when the nausea and vomiting is caused by motion sickness.
Pregnant women who experience nausea and vomiting should talk to their doctor about medications that are thought to be safe for both them and their baby.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Nausea-and-Vomiting
References
