Vomiting / Nausea
Nausea is an uneasiness of the stomach that often precedes vomiting. Vomiting is the forcible voluntary or involuntary emptying ("throwing up") of stomach contents through the mouth.

What Causes Nausea or Vomiting?

Nausea and vomiting are not diseases, but they are symptoms of many conditions such as:

• Travel sickness
• Early stages of pregnancy (nausea occurs in 50%-90% of all pregnancies; vomiting in 25%-55%)
• Medication induced vomiting
• Intense pain
• Emotional stress (fear)
• Gallbladder disease
• Food poisoning
• Infections (such as the "stomach flu")
• Overeating
• A reaction to certain smells or odours
• Concussion or brain injury
• Ulcers
• Bulimia or other psychological illnesses
• Gastro paresis (a condition seen in people with diabetes)

Nausea or vomiting can be symptoms of other more serious conditions. The causes of vomiting differ according to age. For children, it is common for vomiting to occur from a viral infection, food poisoning, milk allergy, travel sickness, overeating or feeding, coughing, or blocked intestines, and illnesses in which the child has a high fever.

The timing of the nausea or vomiting can indicate the cause. When appearing shortly after a meal, nausea or vomiting may be caused by food poisoning, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), an ulcer, or bulimia. Nausea or vomiting one to eight hours after a meal may also indicate food poisoning. However, certain food borne bacteria, such as salmonella, can take longer to produce symptoms.


How Is Vomiting Treated?

Treatment for vomiting (regardless of age or cause) includes:

• Drinking gradually larger amounts of clear liquids
• Avoiding solid food until the vomiting episode has passed
• Temporarily discontinuing all oral medications (which can irritate the stomach and make vomiting worse). But, do not discontinue any medication before checking with your doctor.
• If vomiting and diarrhoea last more than 24 hours, an oral rehydrating solution should be used to prevent and treat dehydration.
• Pregnant women experiencing morning sickness can eat some crackers before getting out of bed or eat a high protein snack before going to bed (lean meat or cheese).
• Vomiting associated with cancer treatments; alcohol and morphine can often be treated with another type of drug therapy. There are also prescriptions and non-prescription drugs that can be used to control vomiting associated with pregnancy, travel sickness and some forms of dizziness. However, consult with your doctor before using these treatments.

• Eat small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals
• Eat slowly
• Avoid hard-to-digest foods
• Consume foods that are cold or room temperature to avoid nausea from the smell of hot or warm foods
• Rest after eating
• Drink liquids between meals instead of during meals and drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day to prevent dehydration
• Try to eat when you feel less nauseated

• Drink small amounts of clear, sweetened liquids such as soda or fruit juices (except orange and grapefruit juices because these are too acidic). Drinks containing sugar calm the stomach better than other liquids.
• Rest either in a sitting position or in a propped lying position. Activity may worsen nausea and may lead to vomiting.