Famous Gastroenterologist In Hyderabad | Vomiting: Symptoms, Signs

By Author: Kiran Peddi
Total Articles: 3
Comment this article

Vomiting is the forceful emptying of the contents of the stomach. Vomiting is body’s way of getting a contaminated substance out of its system. Recurrent vomiting & nausea may be signs of a serious underlying disease

What are the causes of vomiting?

Vomiting is common and may occur when a person eats too much or consumes excessive alcohol. These are generally not worrisome. Certain conditions include:

Food Poisoning
Indigestion
Infections
Motion Sickness
Morning Sickness in Pregnancy
Headaches
Chemotherapy
Crohn’s disease
Anesthesia

Vomiting Emergencies

If you experience any of the following symptoms with vomiting, seek immediate medical attention

Blood in vomit
Black stools
Severe headache
Muscle cramping
Fever of 101 degrees or more
Dizziness
Slurred speech or confusion
No urine for 5 hours or more

What are the Complications of Vomiting?

Vomiting can make the stomach expel not only foods but fluids too. As such, dehydration is the most common complication ...
... and it can in turn cause:

Parched mouth & tongue
Tiredness
Dark Coloured Urine
Decreased urination
Headache & confusion

What are the signs of dehydration?

Dry mouth
Increased thirst
Less or no urine
Lack of tears

How is it treated?

Irrespective of the cause or age, treatment for vomiting involves:

Drinking larger amounts of clear liquids gradually
Avoiding solid foods
Administering oral rehydration solutions if vomiting lasts for more than 24 hours
Vomiting caused by cancer treatments such s chemotherapy can be treated with certain drugs

How is it prevented?

In most cases, following a few good habits can help you stay away from vomiting.

Use soap & warm water to wash your hands at least for 20-30 seconds to avoid viruses & bacteria.
Keep an eye on the expiry dates of various food products. This can help prevent food poisoning.
Eat slowly and avoid hard to digest foods