Nausea and Vomiting
What is Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea is the feeling of unease in the stomach that often precedes, or accompanies, the urge vomit (but doesn’t always result in vomiting).
Vomiting, commonly known as “throwing up”, is the emptying of the stomach contents through the mouth.
Causes
There are a number of causes to nausea and vomiting, some serious, others not. Vomiting is usually seen as a more serious than just nausea.
Causes of vomiting include:
- Motion sickness
- Excessive coughing
- Chronic stomach conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Eating disorders
- Meningitis
- Appendicitis
- Concussion
- Migraines
Treatments
Proper treatment for nausea and vomiting depends entirely on the cause of the symptoms.
For minor reasons such as motion sickness, certain medications can help ease the urge to vomit; whereas more serious causes such as eating disorders, concussions, or migraines, seeking medical attention from a doctor is the best way to get effective treatment.
When to See a Medical Doctor
If you have a child under 6 years of age that’s vomiting, accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, lack of consciousness, or has been vomiting for more than 2 hours, seek emergency medical attention.
If you experience frequent or recurring vomiting, or vomiting is accompanied by other symptoms such as blood in the vomit, confusion, rapid heartbeat or breathing, severe abdominal pain, seek emergency treatment.
If you have been experiencing regular vomiting, without the more serious symptoms accompanying them, book an appointment with a doctor so they can properly diagnose the cause, rule out serious medical reasons, and recommend the best treatment for you.