Vomiting is commonly referred to as “stomach virus” and/or gastroenteritis and is the most frequent cause of vomiting for adults and can also result from food-poisoning. Vomiting occurs when your body expels the contents of your stomach via your mouth. In most cases, vomiting will happen due to being ill, having an infected stomach, being in the car, and so on. Your body attempts to eliminate harmful substances from itself by vomiting.
So keep in mind, vomiting in itself is NOT an illness; vomiting occurs because of a response to something harmful (poison, virus, etc.) in your body, or irritation in either the stomach or the brain. If you know the reason for your vomiting, this can help lead you to determine whether to attempt home remedies or if you need to seek urgent care in Las Vegas.
What Is Vomiting?
Vomiting occurs when your body pushes its stomach contents out of your mouth.
Vomiting can happen in three stages.
- The first stage of vomiting is called nausea, where you feel sick to your stomach.
- The second stage of vomiting is called dry heaving or retching when you try to vomit but nothing comes up.
- The third stage of vomiting is when you forcefully expel all of the contents from your stomach.
The act of vomiting is controlled by your brain and is considered a reflex.
What Causes Acute Vomiting?
Acute vomiting can occur suddenly and for a short time.
Gastroenteritis (Most Common Cause)
Gastroenteritis is an infection of the stomach/intestines that usually occurs from one of the following illnesses:
It is usually caused by:
- Norovirus
- Rotavirus
- Salmonella
- Campylobacter
Symptoms associated with gastroenteritis include:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
Most cases of gastroenteritis last for just a few days before resolving on their own.
Food Poisoning
Bacteria produce toxins in contaminated foods causing food poisoning.
Common bacteria include:
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Bacillus cereus
Vomiting usually begins within a short time of eating contaminated food.
Motion Sickness
Nausea and vomiting can also result from motion sickness when travelling by car, boat, or airplane.If motion sickness causes nausea and vomiting, it may also cause the following symptoms:
1. Dizziness
2.cold sweat
3. pale skin.
Too Much Alcohol
Excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to the irritation of the lining of the stomach. In extreme cases, it can result in alcohol poisoning and this will require immediate medical attention.
After Surgery
When a doctor prescribes medications for the purpose of keeping someone from experiencing nausea, it would include anti-nausea medications.
Gastrointestinal Obstruction
If you have a blockage in your bowel and are throwing up without feeling nauseated, you will likely throw up:
- Bile (yellowish/greenish)
- Partially-digested food
- Foul smelling items.
This is a medical emergency.
Appendicitis
Throwing up is bad enough, but if you are also experiencing severe pain in lower right side of your abdomen, it could indicate that your appendix has become inflamed, so you should report immediately to an emergency room for evaluation.
Pancreatitis
If your pancreas has become inflamed then you will have:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Fever
- Vomiting
If your pancreas becomes inflamed, it can result in loss of life
Raised Intracranial Pressure
When vomiting is accompanied by:
- Severe headache
- Sensitivity to light
- Stiff neck
- Confused state of mind
This may mean you have suffered a brain injury or meningitis, or you have a brain tumor. You need medical help right now!
Meningitis
People who experience:
- Fever
- Stiff neck
- Severe headache
- Vomiting
- Sensitivity to light
Should call for emergency medical assistance ASAP.
COVID-19
Some viral illnesses such as COVID-19 can cause:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Vomiting can indicate DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis) in someone with diabetes. This would represent an urgent need for medical assistance.
What Causes Chronic (Long-Term) Vomiting?
When someone is unable to keep food down for several days, they are suffering from chronic vomiting.
Common causes of chronic vomiting include medications:
Medicines
drugs known to cause vomiting, such as:
- NSAIDs
- Antibiotics
- Metformin
- Opioids
- Anticonvulsants
- Patch nicotine products
Additionally, chemotherapy/radiation therapies may induce vomiting.
Pregnancy
Hyperemesis gravidarum (i.e.: extreme vomiting) is commonly found during the early stages of pregnancy.
Migraine
Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of migraines..
Food Allergies
Food allergies can lead to:
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
GERD (Acid Reflux)
Recurrent or consistent vomiting can indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Gastroparesis
Vomiting may also occur following the slow emptying of the stomach (gastroparesis) or eating.
Kidney Stones
If you’re experiencing intense back discomfort and also have vomiting, it’s possible you may have a kidney stone.
Functional Nausea and Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
There are many patients who experience multiple episodes of vomiting but do not have a definitive structural issue that can be found on imaging studies.
What Are the Possible Complications of Vomiting?
Repeatedly vomiting can lead to many negative consequences for the body:
- Dehydration
- Weight Loss
- Malnutrition
- Erosion of Teeth
- Tearing of Esophagus
- Barrett’s Esophagus
- Rupturing of The Esophagus
The most significant risk is due to dehydration.
Signs of dehydration include:
- Dry Mouth
- Sunken Eyes
- Increased Heart Rate
- Decreased Urine Output
When Should Vomiting Be Treated by a Doctor?
If you have vomiting for an extended period of time (greater than 24 hours),
If you experience vomiting accompanied by diarrhea for an extended period of time (greater than 1 day),
- If there is evidence of dehydration,
- If there is severe abdominal pain,
- If there is chest pain,
- If you vomit blood
- If you have vomit that contains green or yellow – green in color,
- or if vomiting follows a head injury,
If you experience any of the following signs, you should seek emergency care.you should visit an Urgent Care Clinic:
- Stiff Neck
- High Fever
- Severe Headache
- Confusion
- Shortness of Breath
Who Is at Higher Risk?
Sahara West Urgent Care Las Vegas can help evaluate your symptoms quickly and refer you if you require additional evaluation. This is especially important for patients with high risk factors such as:
- Children less than 6 years old
- Adults greater than 65 years old
- Pregnant Women
- Diabetic Patients
- Cancer Patients
- Patients with weakened immune systems
These groups of patients would benefit from medical evaluation sooner rather than later.
How Is Vomiting Treated?
The treatment of repeated vomiting will be based on the cause of the vomiting. Some of the common treatments are:
- Oral Rehydration Fluids
- IV Fluids Due To Dehydration
- Antiemetic Medications
- Treatment For Infection
- Treatment Of Underlying Conditions
Urgent Care Clinics are able to perform the following tests and procedures:
- Assessment of Vital Signs
- Laboratory Testing
- Administer IV fluids
- Order medication
- Refer to the emergency room if necessary
How to Prevent Vomiting
- Wash hands often
- Refrain from eating food that could cause contamination
- Consume alcohol in moderation
- Control chronic health issues
Take medication with food as directed.
Preventing the episodes will mean fewer recurrences.
Final Thoughts
Vomiting typically arises from either a foodborne illness or an infection to the stomach.However, severe and continued or painful vomiting may indicate an important medical issue.
If you don’t feel confident with your medical status, please see Sahara West urgent care Las Vegas, where we can conduct a rapid evaluation of your symptoms and obtain appropriate treatment before complications develop and recovery can be achieved faster.Your health should never be delayed.
FAQs
What is the most common cause of vomiting in adults?
The most common cause is viral gastroenteritis, also known as a stomach bug.
When should I go to urgent care for vomiting?
If vomiting persists for greater than 24 hours, causes dehydration, or is accompanied by fever, pain, or presence of blood, seek medical care immediately.
Is vomiting always serious?
No, in fact, most gastric virus infections are relatively mild and get better in 1 to 2 days, although there are other types of infections that need to be seen right away.
Can dehydration from vomiting be dangerous?
Yes, a person can become severely dehydrated because of vomiting and this dehydration may result in changes in blood pressure, kidney function, and heart rate.
Why am I vomiting without diarrhea?
Other possible medical conditions may include: migraines, side effects of medications, appendicitis, bowel blockage, or increased intracranial pressure.
Can stress or anxiety cause vomiting?
Yes, emotional/psychological factors are known to be contributory in triggering nausea and vomiting for some individuals.
