Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms that can be caused by a variety of illnesses. Nausea and vomiting are most commonly caused by viral gastroenteritis (also known as stomach flu) or morning sickness in early pregnancy.
Vomiting is a symptom of other illnesses rather than a disease. Some of these conditions are dangerous, but the majority aren't.
Vomiting can be a one-time occurrence, especially if it's caused by something that doesn't settle properly in the stomach. Repeated vomiting, on the other hand, may indicate a medical emergency or a serious underlying condition.
Continue reading to learn more about the causes of vomiting in adults, babies, and pregnant women, how to treat it, and when it's a medical emergency.
Primary causes of vomiting
Adults, babies, and pregnant or menstruating women all have different causes of vomiting.
Vomiting in adults
The following are the most common causes of vomiting in adults:
- foodborne illnesses (food poisoning)
- indigestion
- bacterial or viral infections,
- motion sickness
- chemotherapy
- migraine headaches
- medications, like antibiotics, morphine, or anesthesia
- excessive alcohol consumption
- appendicitis
- acid reflux or GERD
- gallstones
- anxiety
- intense pain
- exposure to toxins, such as lead
- Crohn’s disease
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- concussion
- food allergies
Vomiting in babies
The following are some of the most common causes of vomiting in babies:
- viral gastroenteritis
- swallowing milk too quickly, which can be caused by an overly large hole in the bottle teat.
- food allergies
- milk intolerance
- other types of infections
- accidentally ingesting a poison
- congenital pyloric stenosis
- intussusception
Vomiting when pregnant
The following are some of the causes of vomiting in pregnant women:
- morning sickness
- acid reflux
- foodborne illnesses (food poisoning)
- migraine headaches
- sensitivity to certain smells or tastes
- Hyperemesis gravidarum, or extreme morning sickness, is caused by rising hormones.
Vomiting during menstruation
Hormone fluctuations during menstruation can make you feel nauseous and cause you to vomit. During their periods, some women also get migraine headaches, which can cause vomiting.
How to treat vomiting
Vomiting treatment is determined by the underlying cause. Dehydration can be avoided by drinking plenty of water and sports drinks with electrolytes.
In adults
Take a look at these home remedies:
- Eat small meals consisting solely of light, unprocessed foods (rice, bread, crackers, or the BRAT diet).
- Drink only clear liquids.
- Avoid physical activity and rest.
- As you wait for your body to fight off an infection, over-the-counter (OTC) medications like Imodium and Pepto-Bismol may help suppress nausea and vomiting.
- Antiemetic drugs, such as ondansetron (Zofran), granisetron, or promethazine, may be prescribed depending on the cause
- Acid reflux symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter antacids or prescription medications.
- Anti-anxiety medications may be prescribed if your vomiting is caused by an anxiety disorder.
In babies
- Keep your baby lying on his or her stomach or side to avoid inhaling vomit.
- Make sure your baby drinks plenty of fluids, such as water, sugar water, oral rehydration solutions (Pedialyte), or gelatin; if your baby is still breastfeeding, breastfeed frequently.
- Stay away from solid foods.
- If your baby refuses to eat or drink for more than a few hours, see a doctor.
When to see a doctor
If a pregnant woman is unable to keep down any fluids due to morning sickness or hyperemesis gravidarum, she may need intravenous fluids.
In more severe cases of hyperemesis gravidarum, total parenteral nutrition via IV may be required.
Antiemetics, such as promethazine, metoclopramide (Reglan), or droperidol (Inapsine), may be prescribed by a doctor to help prevent nausea and vomiting. These medications can be taken orally, intravenously, or through a suppository.
Adults and babies
Adults and babies should see a doctor if they have any of the following symptoms:
- vomiting for more than a day
- unable to drink anything
- have green-colored vomit or vomit that contains blood
- show signs of severe dehydration, such as fatigue, dry mouth, excessive thirst, sunken eyes, fast heart rate, and little or no urine; Crying without tears and drowsiness are also signs of severe dehydration in babies.
- significant weight loss since the vomiting began
- vomiting for a month
Pregnant women
If nausea and vomiting make it impossible to eat, drink, or keep anything in the stomach, pregnant women should see a doctor.
Prediction and prevention
Predicting when you might vomit
You may begin to feel nauseous before vomiting. Nausea is characterized by stomach pain and a churning sensation in the stomach.
Children under the age of five may not be able to recognize nausea, but they may complain of a stomachache before vomiting.
Prevention
When you start to feel nauseous, there are a few things you can do to possibly prevent yourself from vomiting. The following suggestions may assist in preventing vomiting before it occurs:
- Take several deep breaths.
- Eat fresh or candied ginger or drink ginger tea.
- If you're prone to motion sickness, take an over-the-counter antihistamine like Dramamine to stop vomiting.
- Indulge in ice chips.
- Avoid oily or spicy foods if you suffer from indigestion or acid reflux.
- Prop your head and back up while sitting or lying down.
Care and recovery after vomiting
Following a bout of vomiting, it's critical to drink plenty of water and other liquids to replace lost fluids. Begin by sipping water or sucking on ice chips, then gradually increase the number of clear liquids consumed, such as sports drinks or juice. You can make your rehydration solution by combining the following ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 6 teaspoons sugar and
- 1-liter water.
To remove any stomach acid that could damage your teeth, rinse your mouth with cool water after you vomit. Brushing your teeth right after vomiting can damage the enamel, which is already weakened.
The causes of vomiting are a huge topic to discuss. Vomiting can be caused by a variety of agents and conditions. As a result, I've provided an overview of the causes of vomiting and how to avoid them. Make use of this information if you or someone you know suffers from this condition.