Nausea is an uneasiness of the stomach that often comes before vomiting.
Vomiting is the forcible voluntary or involuntary emptying ("throwing up") of stomach contents through the mouth. Nausea and vomiting are not diseases, but
they are symptoms of many conditions such as: 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, motion 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.What Causes Nausea or Vomiting?
Usually, vomiting is harmless, but it can be a sign of a more serious illness. Some examples of serious conditions that may result in nausea or vomiting include concussions,
meningitis (infection of the membrane linings of the brain), intestinal blockage, appendicitis, and brain tumors. Another concern is dehydration. Adults have a lower risk of becoming dehydrated, because they can usually detect the symptoms of dehydration (such as increased thirst and dry lips or mouth). But young children have a greater risk of becoming dehydrated, especially if they also have
diarrhea, because they often are unable to communicate symptoms of dehydration. Adults caring for sick children need to be aware of these visible signs of dehydration: dry lips and mouth, sunken
eyes, and rapid breathing or pulse. In infants, also watch for decreased urination and a sunken fontanelle (soft spot on top of the baby's head). Recurrent vomiting in pregnancy can lead to a serious condition called hyperemesis gravidarum in which the mother may
develop fluid and mineral imbalances that can endanger their life or that of their unborn child. Rarely, excessive vomiting can tear the lining of the esophagus, also known as a Mallory-Weiss tear. If the esophagus is ruptured, this is called Boerhaave's syndrome, and is a medical emergency. Call a doctor about nausea and vomiting:Is Vomiting Harmful?
When to Call the
Doctor About Nausea and Vomiting
- If the nausea lasts for more than a few days or if there is a possibility of being pregnant
- If home treatment is not working, dehydration is present, or a known injury has occurred (such as head injury or infection) that may be causing the vomiting
- Adults should consult a doctor if vomiting occurs for more than one day, diarrhea and vomiting last more than 24 hours, or there are signs of dehydration.
- Take an infant or child under six years to the doctor if vomiting lasts more than a few hours, diarrhea is present, signs of dehydration occur, there is a fever, or if the child hasn't urinated for 4-6 hours.
- Take a child over age six years to the doctor if vomiting lasts one day, diarrhea combined with vomiting lasts for more than 24 hours, there are any signs of dehydration, there is a fever higher than 101 degrees, or the child hasn't urinated for six hours.
You should seek immediate medical care if any of the following situations occur with vomiting:
- There is blood in the vomit (bright red or "coffee grounds" in appearance)
- Severe headache or stiff neck
- Lethargy, confusion, or a decreased alertness
- Severe abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Rapid breathing or pulse
Treatment for vomiting (regardless of age or cause) includes: There are several ways to try and prevent nausea from developing: When you begin to
feel nauseated, you may be able to prevent vomiting by:How Is Vomiting Treated?
How Can I Prevent Nausea?
How Do I Prevent Vomiting Once I Feel Nauseated?
- Drinking small amounts of clear, sweetened liquids such as soda or fruit juices (except orange and grapefruit juices, because these are too acidic)
- Resting either in a sitting position or in a propped lying position; activity may worsen nausea and may lead to vomiting.
To prevent nausea and vomiting in children:
- To treat motion sickness in a car, seat your child so they face the front windshield (watching fast movement out the side windows can make the nausea worse). Also, reading or playing video games in the car could cause motion sickness.
- Don't let kids eat and play at the same time.