Vomiting

Find Out When to Treat This at Home and When to Go to the ER

Unfortunately, everyone has to deal with vomiting from time to time. It’s often an uncomfortable side effect of infections, food poisoning, and other issues. In addition, it can be a sign of a serious condition, including a brain tumor or stroke. Knowing when to treat it at home and when to go to the ER is essential, so you can receive the care you need.

Common Causes

Vomiting is a symptom of a myriad of conditions. Some of these are mild to moderate and respond to at-home treatment, while others indicate a medical emergency. The mild, moderate, and significant causes include:

• Viral and bacterial infections
• Toxic chemical exposure
• Stress and emotional trauma
• Severe pain
• Appendicitis
• Headaches, especially migraines
• Brain tumors
• Strokes
• Meningitis
• Appendicitis
• Early pregnancy
• Indigestion
• Gallbladder disease
• Reaction to overwhelming smells
• Some medications
• Alcohol
• Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions

Many of these conditions cause vomiting and diarrhea. For example, you’re likely to experience both if you suffer from food poisoning or drank too much alcohol. Also, some medications and even stress and anxiety can cause this. When combined, the conditions can lead to dehydration if left untreated.

When Is It an Emergency?

You can likely manage your symptoms at home. However, you should go to the emergency room if you are:

• Dizzy
• Experiencing chest pains
• Dealing with cognitive issues
• Vomiting blood
• Showing signs of severe dehydration

If you are dehydrated, you might start vomiting blood and find blood in your diarrhea. Also, your abdomen can swell and become painful, and you might feel confused, weak, and dizzy. Unless you can rehydrate at home, you should visit the ER immediately. The emergency room staff will rehydrate you quickly while also treating the cause of the illness.

How to Stop Vomiting – Home-care Tips

If your symptoms are mild to moderate, you can try to treat the condition at home. First, drink clear liquids to rehydrate. You’ll also need to replenish nutrients, so eat saltine crackers and other bland foods. You’ll want to eat small meals several times a day, so you don’t overwhelm your system. In addition, eat and drink slowly for this same reason.

Keeping your food and beverages down is critical to prevent complications. You can become sick after eating, so avoid brushing your teeth since that can make you feel nauseated. Also, rest after consuming foods, so you don’t upset your system.

While vomiting can feel miserable, it usually isn’t a medical emergency. However, if blood is coming up or you have another serious symptom, visit the emergency room for medical care.