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What causes nausea and vomiting?
Nausea and vomiting are often short-lived (<48 hours) but can be a result of food poisoning, stomach virus, stomach ulcer from the most benign to intestinal infection, chemotherapy, intestinal obstruction, or morning sickness during pregnancy.
How do you treat nausea and vomiting?
While nausea and vomiting are quite common, it is important to allow your stomach and intestines to rest. Nausea and vomiting are self-limiting meaning that they will go away on their own with time, rest, and medications.
- Take the anti-nausea medication prescribed to you and wait about 30-45 minutes before you eat or drink
- Avoid eating large meals including meats, dairy, fried, spicy, fatty, salty or acidic foods
- Avoid alcoholic beverages
- Drink clear fluids (water, ginger ale, or other electrolyte solutions) for the first 24 hours
- Eat bland foods such as soups, bread, crackers, apples sauce, crackers, and hot cereals (porridge or oatmeal) for the first 24 hours
- Increment your diet from fluids and bland foods slowly over 24 hours to solid foods as your able to do so
What to do if my symptoms do not improve?
The initial visit may not always present the physician with the symptoms or signs of an acute abdominal emergency. This is important because we want you to get the appropriate treatment should you develop the following at home:
- You have persistent nausea or vomiting OR are unable to keep down clear fluids for more than 12 hours
- Your begin having severe pain in the abdomen
- You are vomiting bright red or dark blood or have tarry black or bloody stools
- You are unusually fatigued and are not able to do your daily activities
- You begin to experience dehydration:
- excessively thirsty
- little to no urination
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- You develop a fever
Author: Emil Soleyman-Zomalan MD FAAEM
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