Nausea and vomiting are not diseases, but rather are symptoms of many different conditions, such as infection ("stomach flu"), food poisoning, motion sickness, overeating, blocked intestine, illness, concussion or brain injury, appendicitis and migraines.
Common problems that may cause nausea and vomiting include: Food allergies. Infections of the stomach or bowels, such as the "stomach flu" or food poisoning. Leaking of stomach contents (food or liquid) upward (also called gastroesophageal reflux or GERD)
Usually, vomiting is harmless, but it can be a sign of a more serious illness. Some examples of serious conditions that may result in nausea or vomiting include concussions, meningitis (infection of the membrane linings of the brain), intestinal blockage, appendicitis, and brain tumors. Another concern is dehydration.
Many of us will try to prevent vomiting if we're feeling nauseated. But if you're feeling ill, it's best to let yourself vomit naturally. But don't force it, says Dr. Goldman.
Allow yourself to rest. Resting propped up in a seated position with the head elevated at least twelve inches above the feet is ideal. Remain in this seated rested position for a minimum of an hour, or until you are no longer experiencing nausea. Do not lie down all the way.
When the cause can be traced to spoiled food, motion sickness or a viral illness, nausea is usually short lived and should not be a cause for concern. In most cases, the queasy feeling lasts no more than minutes to a few hours and usually goes away on its own within 24 hours.
Several conditions can cause nausea, including stress, anxiety, infections, and motion sickness. Occasional temporary nausea is also common but typically not cause for concern. Nausea is a sensation that makes a person feel they need to vomit.
Mouthwatering — your mouth will often start to water if you are about to vomit. Abdominal pain — pain anywhere between the bottom of your ribs and pelvis, and stomach cramps can both happen alongside vomiting.
Second, just before throwing up your body produces extra saliva, which helps protect your teeth from the strong acid. Third, the vomiting process releases chemicals in your body to make you feel better. So that “I feel better” feeling after throwing up is not just your imagination — it's your biology working.
Several OTC medicines are used as antiemetics. These include: Bismuth subsalicylate (2 brand names: Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol). This medicine may help treat some types of nausea and vomiting, such as from gastroenteritis (stomach flu).
Coughing, lifting, sneezing, laughing, straining and vomiting will all create sudden stress on the opening of the bladder, leading to leakage. These moments of bladder weakness are also called “stress incontinence.”
To soothe your stomach and avoid vomiting, just start humming. It seems too good to be true as it is so simple, but humming will override the nausea by suppressing the gag reflex. The simple truth is you can't hum and gag at the same time.
Nauseous due to digestive issues
If your stomach issues are due to digestive conditions such as GERD or acid reflux, you will want to sleep on your left side with your head slightly elevated.
Try foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce, dry toast, soda crackers (these foods are called BRAT diet). For 24-48 hours after the last episode of vomiting, avoid foods that can irritate or may be difficult to digest such alcohol, caffeine, fats/oils, spicy food, milk or cheese.
Vomiting can help to reduce nausea in some cases, such as when the nausea is caused by food poisoning or alcohol. However, this will usually only provide short-term relief and can also worsen nausea.
Vomiting clear liquid and stomach bile means there is nothing in your stomach to regurgitate. This can happen because you've already thrown up all the food and fluid in your stomach, you've been drinking a lot of water, or you haven't eaten in a long time.
Contrary to how yucky it may feel, it's not great to brush your teeth right after vomiting. It's best to swish water around your mouth with a touch of baking soda after vomiting. We recommend waiting at least 30 minutes before brushing. Brushing immediately after rubs the stomach acid on teeth.
PROPERLY WASH YOUR HANDS - AND IF POSSIBLE TAKE A SHOWER AND CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES. Discard any food that may have been exposed in the affected area.
Vomit phobia is surprisingly common among both children and adults, and it often begins in childhood. It can develop following a traumatic vomiting experience or without a clear cause. Having a family history of specific phobias or other anxiety disorders can increase your risk.
Loving yourself provides you with self-confidence, self-worth, and in general, you feel more positive. If you can learn to love yourself, you will feel happier and will learn to take better care of yourself.
Vomiting leads to low blood potassium levels which can cause fatigue, weakness and abnormal heart beats or heart arrest. This complication is unpredictable and occurs without warning, even in people who have previously vomited without developing problems. If you do vomit, drink some juice to help reduce this risk.