Vomiting (or vomiting) occurs when stomach contents are forced out through the mouth. Vomiting is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea or abdominal pain.
Several conditions can cause vomiting, including pregnancy, food poisoning, and motion sickness.
Vomiting can be uncomfortable, but home remedies and medications can often help relieve symptoms quickly.
Vomiting may occur on its own without any other symptoms, but it may also cause:
Vomiting may be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). If you feel nauseous or vomit frequently for at least a month, you may have a chronic vomiting problem. In such cases, it is important to see your health care provider soon for an evaluation. Excessive vomiting can cause dehydration, which can lead to more serious symptoms.
Vomiting is the body's way of protecting itself from potentially toxic substances it may have eaten or ingested. This defense mechanism is activated when external factors trigger the vomiting reflex in the brain or intestines.
Many factors can cause vomiting, including infections, medical conditions, and medications.
conditions
Conditions that can cause vomiting include:
- appendicitis
- anxiety or stress
- Cyclic vomiting syndrome (a disease that suddenly causes severe nausea and vomiting)
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) (an emergency condition in which blood sugar levels become extremely high)
- eating disorder
- food allergy
- Motion Sickness
- Pain (such as migraines or kidney stones)
- Pregnancy (morning sickness)
- Vertigo (feeling that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving uncontrollably)
The following digestive disorders can cause vomiting:
- ileus: Blockage of the small or large intestine
- gastritis: Diseases that cause inflammation of the stomach lining
- Gastroparesis: A condition in which the stomach empties more slowly than it should
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): A disease in which stomach acid repeatedly refluxes into the esophagus
infection
Infections that can cause vomiting include:
drug
Drugs that can cause vomiting include:
- Antibiotic
- chemotherapy
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Surgical anesthesia (a drug to help you sleep during surgery)
risk factors
Because there can be a variety of root causes behind vomiting, experts have not identified a common set of factors that can increase the risk of vomiting. However, some studies have been conducted to investigate risk factors for vomiting after anesthesia. In the study, researchers found that the following factors increased the risk of vomiting:
- Being a woman
- If you have a history of motion sickness
- no smoking
- If you are under 50 years of age
- If you have gastroparesis
The specific type of surgery and anesthesia you undergo may also contribute to your risk of vomiting.
Occasional vomiting is normal for everyone, but if you experience prolonged nausea and vomit frequently, you may want to seek appropriate evaluation from your health care provider. It can help you understand the cause of your symptoms and create a treatment plan to help you feel better.
During your appointment, your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical examination. Additional tests may also be ordered to determine the underlying cause of the vomiting and confirm the diagnosis. These tests include:
- Blood tests: Blood cell counts, levels of chemicals in the blood, and liver and pancreatic enzymes are measured.
- Urinalysis: pregnancy confirmation
- Imaging Test: Detailed images of the gastrointestinal tract, abdomen, and brain are taken to check for abnormalities or signs of inflammation.
- Endoscopy: The structure of the stomach and small intestine is examined to diagnose digestive disorders.
- Gastrointestinal motility test: Investigate how food moves through the stomach and digestive tract.
- Mental Health Assessment: It is only needed if your provider suspects an eating disorder or anxiety disorder.
It's worth noting that you may need further testing and evaluation if you experience dehydration, acidosis (dangerous levels of acid in the bloodstream), or sudden, severe abdominal pain.
The main goal of treating vomiting is to reduce symptoms and minimize the chance of complications such as dehydration, which prevents the body from retaining enough fluids to function properly.
Because there are many root causes of vomiting, your doctor will work with you to determine the cause of your symptoms and determine a treatment plan based on your exact needs.
home remedies
Self-care strategies and home remedies are often sufficient to improve short-term vomiting problems. Your health care provider may often recommend:
- Avoid odors and foods that cause vomiting
- Eat bland foods such as clear soup, toast, and potatoes.
- Stay hydrated with water or electrolyte drinks
- Drink your drink slowly
- Take ginger and vitamin B6. This is especially true if the vomiting is pregnancy-related.
- Try an acupressure wristband to relieve mild vomiting and nausea.
- Use an over-the-counter (OTC) antiemetic, such as an antihistamine such as Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) or Benadryl (diphenhydramine).
- Limit physical activity after eating
- Take a breath of fresh air
prescription drugs
If vomiting is chronic or complicated, your health care provider may recommend prescription or medical treatment. These treatment options may include:
- IV fluids to treat dehydration by managing electrolyte (potassium, magnesium, etc.) levels in the blood
- Prescription medications to reduce vomiting, such as Reglan (metoclopramide), Zofran (ondasetron), or Phenergan (promethazine)
- Nutritional support for malnutrition due to unintentional weight loss or vomiting of clear fluids or feeding tube, if needed.
Vomiting cannot always be avoided. Everyone vomits at some point in their life. However, some tips may help reduce your risk of vomiting from certain causes. Consider the following:
- Take OTC or prescription medications to stop nausea before undergoing chemotherapy, surgery, or an event that may cause motion sickness (such as a long car ride).
- Keep your hands clean and cook your food thoroughly to reduce the risk of food poisoning or gastroenteritis.
- If you have chronic vomiting, get evaluated by your health care provider so you can get a treatment plan to prevent future vomiting episodes.
In cases of mild vomiting, there may be no complications at all. The most common complication that can occur if vomiting is severe or prolonged is dehydration. Dehydration can cause a variety of symptoms, including extreme thirst, rapid heart rate, fever, and headaches. Early treatment is important as it can be life-threatening if not treated properly.
Severe vomiting may cause small tears in the esophagus, causing bleeding. When these tears occur, you may see blood in your vomit or black poop. In rare cases, intense vomiting may tear the entire esophageal wall, causing stomach contents to leak into the chest or abdomen.
Seeking early treatment for vomiting from your health care provider can help reduce your risk of this complication.
Vomiting is very common and can occur for a variety of reasons. Common causes of vomiting include food poisoning, pregnancy, and underlying diseases. In most cases, home remedies can help treat your symptoms.
If your vomiting is chronic, it is important to see a health care provider sooner to understand the cause of your symptoms, initiate treatment, and reduce the risk of developing complications such as dehydration.