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What Do I Do If I Am Vomiting?
What can cause sudden vomiting?
- Food poisoning or gastroenteritis, something you ate
- Pregnancy, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy
- Acid reflux
- Medication side effects
- Alcohol intoxication
- Blockage in bowels
- Motion sickness
When should I seek medical attention when vomiting?
You should seek medical attention for vomiting if you have…
Uncontrolled vomiting lasting more than 4-5 hours and the inability to keep down fluids
- Obviously, if your vomiting persists
- Persistent vomiting lasting more than 2 days for adults, 24 hours for children less than 2 years of age, or 12 hours in duration for infants
- Vomit consisting of blood
- Vomit consisting of fecal material or fecal odor
- Vomit appearing green
- Bleeding from the rectum or bloody stools
- Vomiting and diarrhea are both present
- Dehydration
- Inability to concentrate
- Severe lethargy or mental confusion
- Recent head injury
- Unexplained weight loss with nausea and vomiting
- Chest pain or severe chest discomfort
- Severe nausea, abdominal pain, or cramping
- Vision changes, such as blurry vision or double vision
- High fever
- Severe headache or neck stiffness
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid breathing or pulse
What do I do if I am vomiting?
Vomiting is your body’s way of getting rid of a contaminated material or substance, virus or bacteria. It is nature’s way of getting rid of the toxin.
***Telehealth can help you too…We have medications called “antiemetics” that will stop nausea and vomiting, they can be easily prescribed for you to take at home.
Ways to stop vomiting are:
- Deep breathing (in through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth)
- Eat dry crackers or bland foods (saltines, dry toast or white rice) to help absorb stomach acids.
- Drink plenty of fluids (water, ginger ale, lemonade or mint tea) to prevent dehydration, that is of course when you feel as though you can keep liquids and foods down. Sip the fluids and pace yourself. Sucking on ice chips can also help you hydrate.
- Always remember to HYDRATE…drink, drink, drink!!!
You should get emergency help if:
- You experience a sudden severe stomach pain unlike any stomach pain you’ve had before
- You see blood or what appears to resemble coffee granules in your vomit
- You have a stiff neck
- You have a high temperature or a fever
- You have a sudden severe headache
- You have diabetes and have not been taking your insulin
- You have severe chest pain.
These are all medical emergencies, seek help ASAP!!
