3 min read
You feel sick and your stomach is clenching in pain. Next thing you know you’re bent over the toilet bowl. Vomiting is never comfortable. Read on to learn more about this common condition.
When you vomit, your stomach contents are uncontrollably expelled through the mouth. It is your body’s response to a contaminated substance so you can get rid of it to protect your gut and prevent possible harm. Nausea is a symptom also usually associated with vomiting.
Occurring in both children and adults, vomiting is not a disease in itself and is not something harmful or to worry about. One thing to watch out for though is dehydration but symptoms usually pass within 2-3 days. That being said, it can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying illness.
A number of factors can make you vomit. Most of the time it is due to gastroenteritis (a viral infection of the stomach), which is contagious. Remember to stay away from school or work until you’ve gone 24 hours without vomiting.
Babies and children
Adults
You should get immediate medical attention if you vomit and:
You should consult your doctor if you:
Treatment will depend on what the underlying cause is. This is determined by taking a history examination and doing some tests.
For mild cases, some medications for vomiting are available over-the-counter. Antihistamines are commonly used, examples include promethazine, dimenhydrinate and meclizine hydrochloride. It is good to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking OTC medications and follow the instructions listed on the packages.
You can also get other medications from your doctor or buy them with a prescription at a pharmacy, such as metoclopramide and domperidone.
Take notes! The following helps keep you away from vomiting:
Vomiting often follows nausea. You can try these tips to prevent throwing up when you start to feel nauseated:
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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