Nausea and vomiting are symptoms that can be caused by numerous conditions and usually due to viral gastroenteritis which is also known as “stomach flu” or the morning sickness of pregnancy.
Nausea involves the discomfort of the stomach that comes before vomiting while vomiting is the forceful deliberate or instinctive emptying of the stomach content via the mouth. With the help of various care measures that you can learn in a first aid course, you can readily manage nausea and vomiting.
Causes of nausea and vomiting
- Early stages of pregnancy
- Motion sickness and seasickness
- Taking medications that induces vomiting
- Severe pain
- Stressed out emotionally
- Gallbladder diseases
- Certain types of infections
- Eating too much or reaction to smells or odors of certain foods
The causes of vomiting differ in age. For children, it is common for vomiting to occur due to a viral infection, allergies to milk, food poisoning, overeating, blocked intestines and coughing.
Vomiting is not an issue to worry about but it can be a symptom of a serious illness. In very young infants, blocked intestines can cause persistent vomiting. The blockage can be caused by conditions such as hernia, gallstones and tumors. Even though rare, it requires medical care immediately.
Severe symptoms of nausea and vomiting
- Severe abdominal pain
- Presence of blood in the vomit which is bright red or has “coffee ground” appearance
- A severe headache and stiff neck
- A fast breathing or pulse, lethargy, confusion or decreased alertness
- Diarrhea
Treatment and home remedies for nausea and vomiting
Treatment for nausea
- Avoid eating any foods that have strong flavors, sweet, greasy and fried foods.
- Eat smaller and frequent meals
- Consume light, plain foods such as bread and crackers
- Drink cold beverages and avoid activities after eating
Treatment for vomiting
- Avoid consuming solid foods of any kind until vomiting has totally stopped
- Drink plenty of liquids in order to stay hydrated
- Get plenty of rest
- Take an oral rehydrating solution in order to replace lost electrolytes
- Avoid using medications that can cause stomach upset such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids and blood thinners.
How to prevent nausea and vomiting
- The individual should drink small amounts of clear, sweetened beverages such as fruit juices or soda but avoid orange juice due to its high acidity.
- Resting in seated or in a propped lying position may cause worsening of nausea and can result to vomiting.
How to prevent nausea and vomiting in children
- When treating motion sickness, the child must be seated in a space so he/she will face the front windshield. Remember that fast movement in the side window will worsen nausea. Avoid reading or playing video games in the car since it can cause motion sickness.
- Avoid playing and eating at the same time
With these measures, you can readily manage nausea and vomiting. In case both persist despite these measures, it might indicate an underlying health condition. It is best to consult a doctor for proper assessment as well as treatment.