Before we feel like vomiting, we feel a strange, queasy feeling in our stomach... That's what we call nausea. Vomiting is the act of expelling the contents of the stomach through the mouth. Sometimes nausea only comes, sometimes it comes with vomiting. This is really annoying and uncomfortable. So today, let's talk about this in a little more detail .
Why do we get this nausea and vomiting?
The first thing to understand is that nausea and vomiting are not diseases, they are symptoms . They are signals that something is wrong with our bodies. Think of it like the check engine light on your car coming on. That light isn't the problem, it's an indication of something else going on inside, right? That's how it is.
There are many things that could cause this.
| Reason category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Digestive system problems |
|
| Other physical causes | |
| Lifestyle and psychological causes |
Why do small children vomit?
Young children are more likely to vomit than adults. Your baby may also be affected. The main reasons for this are:
- Viral infections
- Milk allergy
- Food preparation
- Discomfort while traveling in vehicles
- Overfeeding or overeating
- When coughing hard
- Other diseases that cause high fever
Other symptoms that accompany nausea and vomiting
If you think about when you feel nauseous and what else you feel at the same time, it's a little easier to find the cause.
Headache and nausea.
If nausea accompanies a headache, it is likely a migraine . Many people with migraines experience this nausea almost invariably. For some, vomiting relieves the headache.
Nausea during pregnancy
Nausea is very common during the first three months of pregnancy. We call it "Morning Sickness", but it can occur at any time of the day. It is believed that this is caused by the increase in the hormone HCG in the body. However, for some people, this condition becomes very severe. It is a condition where you vomit several times a day and cannot eat or drink anything. We call it Hyperemesis Gravidarum . In such a situation, you should definitely seek medical advice.
Feeling nauseous after eating
If you feel nauseous shortly after eating, it could be due to a condition such as food poisoning, gastritis, a stomach ulcer, or GERD (Acid Reflux). It could also be due to an allergy to certain foods.
Diarrhea with vomiting
If vomiting and diarrhea occur together, it is most likely a stomach flu. For example, this can happen when you are infected with the norovirus .
When vomiting and diarrhea occur together, a large amount of fluid is lost from the body. This increases the risk of dehydration . This can be especially dangerous for young children and the elderly.
Vomiting blood
This is a medical emergency . If you vomit blood or vomit black, like coffee grounds, it means that you are bleeding somewhere in your digestive tract. This could be due to a stomach ulcer, liver damage from excessive alcohol consumption, or even a serious condition such as a Mallory-Weiss tear in the esophagus caused by excessive vomiting.
In such a situation, don't delay. Go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) as soon as possible.
Is vomiting dangerous? Let's be aware of dehydration!
Vomiting is usually not harmful, but the biggest risk is dehydration , which means losing a lot of water from your body.
An adult can quickly recognize the signs of dehydration (dry mouth, thirst, decreased urine output). But young children don't understand how to tell. That's why we, as parents, need to be very careful about this.
| Symptoms of dehydration in young children | |
|---|---|
| Dry lips and mouth | Sunken-looking eyes |
| Increased breathing rate | Decreased frequency and amount of urination (not urinating for 4-6 hours) |
| Loss of tears when crying | Sunken fontanelle (soft spot on top of baby's head) |
Things you can do at home for nausea and vomiting
Most of the time, nausea and vomiting will subside on their own within a day or two. But in the meantime, try these things to help ease the discomfort.
- Drink fluids in small amounts: Drink small amounts of water, ginger tea, and other fluids. Don't drink too much at once.
- Stay away from solid foods: Do not eat solid foods like rice until the vomiting has completely stopped.
- Start with light foods: Once the vomiting stops, try eating some light, non-greasy foods like crackers, bread, porridge, and yogurt.
- Avoid strong smells: Things like cooking smells, perfume smells, and smoke smells can increase nausea.
- Rest well: Keep your head slightly elevated when lying down.
The most important thing is, do not take any medication without consulting a doctor . This is especially important if you are pregnant or taking medication for other conditions.
When to see a doctor
Although this condition is usually not serious, sometimes it is essential to seek medical advice.
| If you have these symptoms, see your doctor. | |
|---|---|
| For adults |
|
| For children | |
| These are emergencies! Go to the ETU immediately! | |
| |
If you suspect that vomiting has been caused by ingestion of something poisonous, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
Take-Home Message
- Nausea and vomiting are not a disease, but a symptom. They can have many causes.
- The main risk of vomiting is dehydration, so it is important to drink plenty of fluids.
- In most cases, this condition resolves within a day or two with simple home care.
- However, if vomiting persists, if there is blood, or if there are other serious symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
- Never take medication for nausea or vomiting without medical advice.
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