Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of a condition or illness. Nausea is a feeling of uneasiness in the stomach that is accompanied by the sensation of a need to vomit. Vomiting is the emptying, either voluntarily or involuntarily, of the stomach contents through the mouth.
Causes of Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting may be the result of the following conditions:
- Food poisoning
- Motion sickness
- Overeating
- Blocked intestine or injury
- Brain injury
- Appendicitis
- Migraine
- Heart attack
- Brain injury or illness
- Kidney or liver disease
- Cancer therapy or treatment
- Pregnancy
- Gallbladder disease
- Reaction to medicine
- Stomach inflammation
- Encephalitis
- Meningitis
Symptoms of Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting affect people of all ages. Care must be taken to avoid dehydration, especially with children, if the nausea and vomiting are accompanied by diarrhea. Symptoms of dehydration include:
- Dry lips and mouth
- Sunken eyes
- Rapid breathing or pulse
- Decreased urination
- A sunken soft spot on top of an infant's head
Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting
Relieving nausea and vomiting is usually accomplished by treating the underlying causes of the symptoms.
Home remedies to control nausea include:
- Drinking clear, cold fluids
- Eating small, more frequent meals
- Reducing exercise regimen
- Avoiding fried foods
Home remedies for the treatment of vomiting include:
- Drinking clear, cold fluids
- Avoiding solid foods until vomiting stops
- Resting
Extensive vomiting is a cause for concern, and a physician should be consulted to avoid complications.
Prevention of Nausea
Nausea can be prevented by making certain behavior changes, including:
- Eating smaller, more frequent meals
- Eating slowly
- Avoiding eating foods that are warm or hot
- Resting, with the head elevated, after eating
- Eating dry crackers upon rising in the morning
- Drinking fluid between meals, and not during meals
