Oh my... what's wrong with my stomach... it's getting in my throat... I can't feel like vomiting... You're probably familiar with this feeling, right? Maybe you ate something that didn't suit you. Or it could be an early sign of pregnancy. This nausea and vomiting is something that we all experience at some point in our lives. So let's understand this exactly.
Are 'nausea' and 'vomiting' two different things?
Yes. Although these two are related, there is a slight difference.
- Nausea: Simply put, this is that uncomfortable feeling of "feeling like you're going to vomit." It feels like your stomach is turning, and you feel something uncomfortable in the back of your throat. Sometimes you may feel dizzy, your mouth is watering, and you may feel like you have trouble swallowing. However, nausea does not always mean vomiting.
- Vomiting: This is when the contents of the stomach, that is, the food we have eaten or drunk, are forcefully squeezed out of the stomach muscles and thrown out through the mouth. This is a protective process of the body.
The important thing is that nausea and vomiting are not diseases; they are symptoms, just like the flu. They can be caused by a variety of things.
What are the main causes of nausea and vomiting?
There can be many reasons for this. Some are very minor, but sometimes they can be a symptom of a serious medical condition. Let's break these reasons down.
| Common, minor causes | Serious reasons to be concerned |
|---|---|
| Food poisoning or gastroenteritis | Head injuries (Concussions) |
| Early pregnancy (Morning sickness) | Brain infections such as meningitis |
| Motion sickness | Appendicitis |
| Severe headaches such as migraines | Intestinal blockage |
| Excessive drinking | Brain tumors |
| Some medications (e.g., cancer treatments) | Kidney diseases |
| Indigestion | Heart attack (especially in women) |
How can you reduce this discomfort at home?
Often, there are several things we can do at home before seeing a doctor.
When you feel nauseous...
- Drink small amounts of cold, clear liquids (e.g. water, juice).
- Eat some light, non-greasy food. Something like cream crackers or bread is good.
- Avoid oily, overly sweet, or fried foods completely.
- When you eat, monks, eat little by little. Eat several small meals rather than one large meal at a time.
- Don't slouch after eating. Sit for a while. It's best if you can keep your head about 12 inches higher than your legs.
- Some strong smells can increase nausea, so stay away from such things.
If you vomit...
- Don't eat solid food immediately after vomiting. Give your stomach some rest.
- After about an hour, start drinking clear liquids (e.g., water, orange juice) in small sips, about a teaspoon at a time . Don't drink a lot at once.
- Get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous work.
- After a few hours after the vomiting stops, try eating something light, like a cream cracker .
Remember, do not take over-the-counter medication for nausea or vomiting without first consulting your doctor. Sometimes, it can make the underlying condition worse.
Dehydration - What we should fear the most!
The biggest and most immediate danger of vomiting is dehydration , which is the loss of water and salts from the body.
Adults are less at risk because they quickly recognize the signs of dehydration (dry mouth, excessive thirst). But we need to be very careful with young children and babies. They don't know how to express their discomfort.
How do you know if a child is dehydrated?
- Dry lips and mouth .
- Eyes appear sunken .
- Rapid breathing or pulse .
- No tears when crying .
- Decreased frequency and amount of urination (e.g., not urinating for 6-8 hours)
- The fontanelle on the forehead of babies appears to be sunken in .
If you see any of these symptoms, it's an emergency. See a doctor immediately.
When should we definitely see a doctor?
It is very important to seek immediate medical advice if home treatments do not provide relief within a day or in the following cases:
| Patient | When to see a doctor |
|---|---|
| Children under 6 years old | |
| Young children | Vomiting that continues for more than a few hours. |
| Vomiting is accompanied by diarrhea (stomach upset). | |
| Showing signs of dehydration. | |
| Fever over 100°F (37.8°C). | |
| Children over 6 years old | |
| Older children | Vomiting lasting more than a day (24 hours). |
| Showing signs of dehydration. | |
| Fever over 102°F (38.9°C). | |
| Adults | |
| Adults | Vomiting lasting more than a day. |
| Showing signs of moderate dehydration (e.g., excessive thirst, decreased urination, dizziness). | |
If you have these symptoms, go to a hospital (ETU) immediately!
The following symptoms may indicate a dangerous situation . Therefore, if you have any of these, do not waste time and go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) .
- Vomiting blood (black or red, like coffee grounds).
- Severe headache and neck stiffness .
- Excessive drowsiness or confusion.
- Severe, unbearable stomach pain .
- High fever (over 101°F / 38.3°C) with vomiting.
- Excessively rapid breathing or pulse.
Take-Home Message
- Nausea and vomiting are not diseases, but symptoms. They usually resolve on their own within a day or two.
- The biggest risk when vomiting is dehydration . Therefore, it is very important to drink fluids such as water and juice. Be especially careful with children.
- Give your stomach a break. Eat small amounts of light, non-greasy foods (cream crackers, bread).
- If vomiting lasts more than a day, if you show signs of dehydration, or if you have other danger signs (bleeding, severe pain), see your doctor immediately.
- Do not buy medicine from the pharmacy without medical advice.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න