Nausea and Vomiting
Definition
Nausea is the sensation of having an urge to vomit. Vomiting is
forcing the contents of the stomach up through the esophagus and
out of the mouth.
Vomiting Symptoms
- Increased saliva
- Dizziness
- Changes in skin temperature
- Difficulty in swallowing food or liquid
- Increase in heart beat rate
Common Causes
- Viral infections
- Medications
- Seasickness or motion sickness
- Migraine headaches
- Morning sickness during pregnancy
- Food poisoning
- Food allergies
- Brain tumors
- Chemotherapy in cancer patients
- Bulimia
- Alcoholism
Difference between nausea and vomiting
Nausea is an uneasiness of the stomach that often accompanies the urge to vomit, but doesn't always lead to vomiting. Vomiting is the forcible voluntary or involuntary emptying ("throwing up") of stomach contents through the mouth. Some triggers that may result in vomiting can come from the stomach and intestines (infection, injury, and food irritation), the inner ear (dizziness and motion sickness), and the brain (head injury, brain infections, tumors, and migraine headaches).
Home Care
It is important to stay hydrated. Try steady, small amounts of
clear liquids, such as electrolyte solutions. Other clear liquids,
such as water, ginger ale, or fruit juices also work unless the
vomiting is severe or a baby is vomiting.
For breastfed babies, breastmilk is usually best. Formula-fed babies
usually need clear liquids.
Don’t drink too much at one time. Stretching the stomach
can make nausea and vomiting worse. Avoid solid foods until there
has been no vomiting for six hours, and then work slowly back to
a normal diet.
An over-the-counter bismuth stomach remedy like Pepto-Bismol is
effective for upset stomach, nausea, indigestion, and diarrhea.
Because it contains aspirin-like salicylates, it should NOT be used
in children or teenagers who might have (or recently had) chickenpox
or the flu.
Most vomiting comes from mild viral illnesses. Nevertheless, if
you suspect the vomiting is from something serious, the person may
need to be seen immediately.
Prevention
A number of medicines are effective at preventing vomiting. Your
doctor is unlikely to prescribe these because, in most situations,
the vomiting is an important part of getting well. In some situations,
however, preventing the vomiting makes life much better.
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