Often, it is a sign of a stomach infection, caused by a bacteria, virus, or parasite. Or it could be from food poisoning. Morning sickness during pregnancy is another reason someone may vomit clear liquid. Clear vomit can be from cancer chemotherapy and other drugs that can stimulate the vomiting center of the brain.
Do not eat or drink anything for several hours after vomiting. Sip small amounts of water or suck ice chips every 15 minutes for 3-4 hours. Next, sip clear liquids every 15 minutes for 3-4 hours. Examples include water, sports drinks, flat soda, clear broth, gelatin, flavored ice, popsicles or apple juice.
For the most part, if you have uncontrolled vomiting for extended periods of time where you can't keep anything down, you should go to the emergency room. This is especially true for the very young, the elderly, or those with severe underlying health conditions, Dr. Lee says.
Sip a little bit of water at a time, but often
“This is especially important for those who are throwing up, because you don't want to cause a trampoline effect,” Dr. Bates said. “Drinking too much too soon can cause the stomach to stretch out and then bounce those fluids right back out.”
Speak to your GP if:
you're unable to keep down any fluids because you're vomiting repeatedly. you have signs of severe dehydration, such as confusion, a rapid heartbeat, sunken eyes and passing little or no urine. you've lost a lot of weight since you became ill. you experience episodes of vomiting frequently.
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.
Resting your stomach, sipping small amounts of fluid, and then eating foods that are "safe" for your stomach will help stop vomiting in most cases. If these tips don't provide relief within a day or two, call your healthcare professional, who can check to see if you are dehydrated and advise you on how to proceed.
Illness or Chronic Issues. Lastly, certain illnesses or chronic issues may also interrupt your thirst reflex and prevent you from feeling thirsty even if you need water. For example, diabetes, physical exhaustion, and mental disorders may all prevent you from feeling thirsty when your body needs water.
In addition to the symptoms of actual dehydration, you may also have vomiting, diarrhea, or the feeling that you "can't keep anything down," all of which could be causing the dehydration.
Drink lots of fluids if possible, but start slowly with 1–2 sips every 5 minutes. If you become nauseated, wait 20–30 minutes and then begin again. Wait 20–30 minutes to be sure you don't have more vomiting or diarrhea.
If you've been vomiting for more than two days (48 hours), it may be time to seek medical help, especially if you have any of these additional symptoms: Blood or what looks like coffee grounds in your vomit. A high fever. Stiff neck.
Many people experience dry heaving immediately after bouts of vomiting as their body continues to go through the motions and contractions of throwing up. When the stomach is empty, a person may regurgitate mucus or clear fluid, or continue to gag without throwing up.
White or Foamy Vomit
The vomit appears white or foamy due to acid buildup in the stomach. Therefore, a person should consult the doctor if the condition lasts more than one or two days.
While a common cause is a gastrointestinal virus, without a diagnosis from a health care provider, it is possible that your constant upheaval could be caused by multiple things: food poisoning, a migraine, motion sickness, recent exposure to general anesthesia, rotavirus, and alcohol use, to name a few.
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.
Green or yellow vomit, also known as bile, is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. The release of bile occurs when an individual is vomiting on an empty stomach or is suffering from bile reflux.
If you are experiencing dark vomit it is important to seek medical attention immediately, as this may be a sign of a potentially life-threatening problem such as internal bleeding. Other symptoms that may accompany dark vomit include dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations.
Sleeping on your side with your head raised can ease symptoms and keep you from choking on your vomit, if you're unable to make it to the bathroom in time.
Getting extra sleep when you're sick doesn't just give you a few hours of respite from unpleasant symptoms: Sleep is like medicine for the immune system, ultimately helping you make a full recovery from an illness. “Sleep is the only time of anyone's day or night where we have restoration processes happening.
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.