NAUSEA AND VOMITING

Nausea is a queasy feeling in the stomach that may occur before vomiting. It can be caused by changes in the intestinal tract, middle ear, or the brain.

Nausea can result from many conditions such as:

motion sickness
food poisoning
infections, such as gastroenteritis
many kinds of medications and alcohol
unpleasant odors, sights, and sounds
pregnancy
heart attack
head injury
stress and
inner ear disorders

Vomiting can be a protective process to help the body get rid of harmful substances. A signal is sent to a section of the brain that controls vomiting. This causes the body to tighten muscles around the stomach. The esophagus (food tube leading from the mouth to the stomach) relaxes. Anything in the stomach is then forcefully brought up and expelled through the mouth.

Long periods or repeated episodes of vomiting can lead to dehydration. To avoid this, replace fluids lost through vomiting. Stop eating solid foods for 2 to 3 hours until your stomach feels settled. Begin taking fluids by sucking on ice chips or Popsicles or take sips of cool, clear, sweetened liquids, such as soda, fruit juices that are low in acid, sports drinks, or over-the-counter oral rehydration solutions. Gradually drink larger amounts of these fluids so that you drink 6 to 8 eight-ounce glasses (.2 liters) of fluids a day.

When nausea and vomiting subside, begin eating smaller, more frequent meals of easily digested foods such as rice, baked potatoes, bananas, toast, cooked cereal, applesauce, baked or mashed potatoes, chicken, or turkey without skin. Eat slowly, avoid fried or fatty foods, spicy foods, gas-producing foods, or higher sugar content foods for 1 to 2 days. Avoid extremely hot or cold food. Do not take pain relievers like aspirin or NSAIDs.

Rest as much as possible in a sitting or in a propped lying position. Do not lie flat for at least 2 hours after eating. Fortunately, nausea and vomiting usually last only a short period of time.

Seek medical care if any of the following symptoms occur with nausea and vomiting:

unable to drink anything for 24 hours
very forceful vomiting
high fever
severe headache or pain
diarrhea and vomiting persists more than 2 to 3 days
blood in the vomited material (this may look red, brown, or black-like coffee grounds)
sweating or
signs of dehydration (dry mouth, excessive thirst, little or no urination, severe weakness, dizziness, or lightheadedness)

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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