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Vomiting is a symptom of
underlying disease and
not a specific disease. It is an act of forcible
of emptying the stomach
contents. The
stomach has to overcome
the pressures that are
normally in place to
keep food and secretions
within the stomach.
During a vomiting
episode, the stomach
turns itself 'inside out'
- forcing itself into
the lower portion of the
esophagus (tube that
connects the mouth to
the stomach).
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The signal to vomit can
be stimulated by smells,
taste, various illnesses
and emotions (such as
fear), pain, injury,
food irritation,
dizziness, motion, and
other changes in the
body:
Infections:
This is often the cause,
whether it is a common
virus or an infection
that is contracted from
travel. May be
associated with crampy
upper abdominal pain,
fever and chills. Common
viral infections include
rotavirus. Parasitic
infections often are
associated with
diarrhoea but may also
have a component of
nausea and vomiting. Bacteria such as H.
Pylori can be the
infectious agent.
Stomach flu:
Is
a non-specific term used
to describe vomiting and
diarrhea associated with
a viral infection.
Food poisoning:
May cause significant
vomiting and usually is
caused by a bacterial
toxin. Symptoms
begin within a couple
hours of eating
contaminated or poorly
prepared food and may
last for 1-2 days.
Sources of food
poisoning include
Salmonella,
Campylobacter, Shigella,
E coli, Listeria, or
Clostridium botulinum.
Other
causes include:
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Eating disorders
(anorexia and bulimia)
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Motion sickness (car
sickness, seasickness)
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Vertigo (the sensation
that the room is
spinning around)
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Head
injuries (such as a
concussion or bleeding
injury)
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Gallbladder
disease or appendicitis
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Brain
infections such as
meningitis
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Hydrocephalus (too much
fluid in the brain)
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Pyloric obstruction, a
condition that causes
forceful spitting up in
infants)
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Infection or
irritation of the
intestines
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Low or high
body chemicals and
minerals as well as
toxins in the body
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Alcohol from beer, wine,
and liquor which causes
nausea and vomiting
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Early pregnancy -
morning sickness usually
happens in the first few
months
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If
the vomiting is so bad that the person cannot
keep any liquids down for more than 8-10 hours.
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Vomiting blood is a
warning sign. Blood may
be bright red or dark
red. Sometimes
old blood can look brown
like coffee grounds.
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If you are taking care
of a child, see the
doctor if the child does
not pass urine in 6-8
hours (or has dry
diapers for that
period of time).
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The person shows signs and symptoms of
severe loss of body
fluids (dehydration) which include dry mouth
and lips, less urine than normal, dark
yellow and smelly urine, and severe thirst.
Symptoms such as weakness, dizziness,
lightheadedness are worse when
standing.
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Go to
the Emergency
Department if:
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the person is
experiencing nausea or
vomiting with severe
stomach pains.
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vomiting with fever
especially in a child.
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you see blood
in the vomit.
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vomiting
does not stop
and the person is unable to
keep down any fluids.
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the person has a known
head injury.
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there is other
medical conditions
present such as heart
disease or diabetes.
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you observe any signs of confusion or extreme
weakness.
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a new or severe
headache is also present
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Take medication as
directed.
Medicine usually
involves those that
help
to decrease nausea
and vomiting.
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Avoid excessive
motion, strong
smells, and
anxiety-producing
situations.
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Drink plenty of
water, if the person
can retain well, to
prevent dehydration
from fluid loss.
Fluid intake helps
correct electrolyte
imbalance, which may
stop vomiting:
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Start with small
amounts.
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Only use clear
liquids (such as
clear soup, barley
drink).
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Avoid milk and
any dairy products
as they can make the nausea
and vomiting worse.
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Work your way up
to soft foods such
as porridge, oatmeal
and go back to
liquids if the
nausea and vomiting
return.
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If the person cannot
retain fluid, gives
small amounts.
Provides ice chips
repeatedly.
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After 24 hours of
fluid diet without
vomiting, begin a
soft-bland solid
diet such as the
porridge, bananas,
toast, noodles and
potatoes.
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Children should be
given oral
rehydration
solutions such as
Pedialyte.
Fruit juice and
sports drinks will
not correctly
replace fluid or
electrolytes lost
from vomiting.
Using plain water
will not replace
electrolytes and may
dilute electrolytes
to the point of
seizures.
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