Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are symptoms, not diseases. They can come from the gut, the balance system in the inner ear, the brain, metabolic problems, medicines, or pregnancy. Most short-lived episodes settle on their own. What matters is spotting the cases where the cause is serious or when dehydration becomes dangerous.

Common causes

• Gastroenteritis (food or water-borne).
• Pregnancy — particularly the first trimester.
• Migraine, motion sickness, inner-ear disease.
• Peptic ulcer, gallstones, pancreatitis, appendicitis.
• Medicines — antibiotics, chemotherapy, opioids, iron.
• Head injury, meningitis, raised brain pressure.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis and other metabolic problems.
• Heart attack — can present with just nausea in women and older people.

Red flags — dial 112 or go to hospital

• Vomiting blood or coffee-ground material; black tarry stools.
• Severe headache, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light.
• Severe abdominal pain or rigid belly.
• Chest pain, sweating, breathlessness.
• Vomiting in a head injury.
• Confusion, drowsiness, or dehydration.
• Persistent vomiting in a young child or an elderly person.
• Pregnant and unable to keep any fluid down.

Care at home for simple vomiting

• Small sips of ORS every few minutes, even if you vomit some back.
• Stop solid food for a few hours; then plain foods (khichdi, toast, banana, curd-rice).
• Stay cool; rest.
• Anti-nausea tablets can help — a Health Expert can advise which is safe in pregnancy or for children.

Pregnancy-related nausea

Common in the first trimester. Small frequent meals, dry crackers/toast first thing on waking, ginger, vitamin B6, and avoiding strong smells help many. If vomiting is severe (hyperemesis), causes weight loss, or prevents fluids staying down — see a Health Expert; IV fluids and safe medicines are available.