Whether it be due to illness or something as mundane as a car ride, it is safe to
assume that everyone has been nauseous or has vomited at least once in their
life. In fact, it is so common that it is a nondescript symptom for many
conditions. More often than not,
nausea and vomiting are benign, but there are
cases in which it may indicate something more severe. Furthermore, if you are
prone to nausea and vomiting in certain situations, then you might benefit from
some helpful tips. Understanding how to discern the seriousness of your nausea
and vomiting can help you manage it.
اضافة اعلان
Nausea and
vomiting are very common symptoms that can attributed to a wide variety of
causes. Nausea or feeling nauseous is a term used to describe feeling the need
to vomit. Vomiting is an uncontrollable reflex in which you expel the contents
of your stomach through your mouth. Both can occur at any age but typically the
causes are different.
Nausea and
vomiting may occur separately or together and may be the result of physical or
psychological conditions. One of the most common reasons for nausea and
vomiting is first trimester pregnancy. This is often referred to as morning
sickness and affects roughly 70 percent of pregnant women. Typically, morning
sickness tends to resolve itself by the second or third trimester. Another
common cause is motion sickness, commonly when riding in a car, boat, or roller
coaster. Balance is a complex process that involves many sensory organs,
chiefly fluids in the inner ear. These fluids move when our body is in motion,
but when the motion is excessive it can cause vertigo. Vertigo is a spinning
sensation associated with other symptoms that include nausea and potentially
vomiting. The final most common cause is gastroenteritis.
Gastroenteritis is
commonly referred to as a stomach flu, however it is not a flu at all. It is
inflammation in the lining of the intestines caused by viruses, bacteria, or
parasites. This condition is associated with other symptoms such as abdominal
pain and diarrhea, but also includes nausea and vomiting.
Nausea and
vomiting may also be caused by something you have ingested. The most common
cause is medication. There are a host of medications that are known to cause
nausea and potentially vomiting. Even medicine that is injected may cause
nausea and vomiting. The most common example of this is chemotherapy in cancer
patients. Chemotherapy is extremely taxing on the body and is often paired with
medication to combat nausea and vomiting.
Food can also
cause nausea and vomiting.
Food poisoning, the result of eating contaminated,
spoiled, or toxic food, can cause symptoms similar to gastroenteritis.
Additionally, stomach conditions like indigestion or gastroesophageal reflux
disease can cause nausea and vomiting. Although nausea and vomiting are
commonly associated with physical ailments, it can also be caused by
psychological disturbances. Often times, our mental well-being and physical
body are linked. People may feel nauseous when under emotional distress,
stress, or even when they are afraid. Additionally, some noxious smells can
cause people to feel nauseous. This is particularly common in morning sickness
but can happen to anyone.
Vomiting is
typically indicative of a more severe condition, the causes of which can vary
depending on age. Vomiting is considered to be more common in children than in
adults. Provided that there is no simple explanation for vomiting, the most
common cause in adults is a bacterial or viral infection, or food poisoning.
Children most often experience vomiting due to infection or food poisoning, but
may also vomit due to severe motion sickness, coughing, high fevers, or
overeating.
When to be
concerned
Nausea and vomiting are not inherently a cause for alarm on their own.
More often than not, the symptoms are acute and can resolve themselves in a
matter of days or even hours depending on the cause. However, if the symptoms
are unexplained or associated with other, more severe symptoms, then it may be
concerning. It may be associated with a chronic gastrointestinal condition that
could require treatment or management. This can include
celiac disease, lactose
intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, and Crohn’s disease. In rarer cases,
persistent nausea and vomiting may be indicative of a more severe underlying
condition. This can include meningitis, appendicitis, concussion, cancer, or
migraines. However, these conditions are typically associated with other, more
pressing symptoms, which can help your doctor differentiate between a simple,
acute condition and a serious one.
Persistent
vomiting can also be cause for concern. Persistent vomiting has many
definitions, but in general, you should seek medical attention if you
experience two days of persistent vomiting. That period of time shortens to 24
hours for children under the age of two, and to 12 hours for infants.
Additionally, if you experience other symptoms associated with vomiting such as
a weak or rapid pulse, dehydration, or blood in your vomit, you should see a
doctor immediately. It may also be considered persistent if you experience
bouts of vomiting for more than one month. Persistent vomiting can be
dangerous, aside from the potentially serious underlying condition, because it
causes a large loss of water and can also make water consumption difficult. It
makes dehydration more likely, which itself can result in other complications.
Additionally, along with water loss, vomiting causes the loss of electrolytes
such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Ultimately, this can cause a
deficiency in these electrolytes, which can cause serious complications.
Treatment or
management
First and foremost, it is important to identify the cause of your
nausea or vomiting. If you are certain that the cause is acute and simple, then
focus your attention on managing your symptoms. If you are unsure of the cause
or you are experiencing more severe symptoms as well, then you should see a
doctor as soon as possible. If you engage in activities that likely cause
nausea, there are some home remedies that can manage or prevent it.
Light and plain
food (i.e., not spicy foods) such as bread or crackers, while avoiding greasy,
fried, or sweet foods with strong flavors, can help prevent or manage nausea.
Additionally, cold liquids and certain teas such as ginger tea can also help
manage it. It is also recommended that you wait at least an hour after eating
before engaging in activity in order to prevent nausea. In cases of vomiting,
one of the most important things to do is stay hydrated. You will need to drink
large amounts of water but not all at once. Ideally, you should drink small
sips of water throughout the day. Additionally, you will need to incorporate
drinks with electrolytes to replace the lost electrolytes. Try to avoid solid
food until the vomiting has subsided and when you resume solid foods eat
smaller but more frequent portions.
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