Vomiting: causes, treatment, a symptom of what diseases it is

Vomiting is a protective reflex of the body in both an adult and a child. Together with the vomit, the contents of the stomach and harmful substances are excreted. An unpleasant phenomenon can occur in the event of disturbances in the processes in the body. One-time vomiting, odorless, without fever, without diarrhea, is not dangerous, but if it is repeated, it is a signal of the development of the disease.

Causes

Vomiting is a complex reflex mechanism that is coordinated by the central nervous system (CNS). Everyone faced nausea.

Provoking factors are divided into 6 groups:

1. Food. People's lifestyle and diet play a key factor in the digestive system. Improper nutrition, frequent consumption of fast food, fatty, spicy food, an unbalanced menu diet leads to a failure in the work of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract), metabolic disorders, food is not digested, an imbalance occurs minerals. This can provoke nausea (reflex type).
2. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, stomach problems. Infection and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract are manifested in the form of nausea and urge. Some infectious intestinal diseases occur without diarrhea.
3. Disruption of the central nervous system. Psychological disorders, headaches, concussion, the reasons for which can be caused persistent nausea in humans.
4. Pregnancy can be the cause. Half of women during pregnancy are faced with toxicosis. Changes in hormonal levels, an acute reaction to smells and tastes cause nausea. In the first trimester, the morning daily nausea in women - a frequent occurrence. Endless vomiting against the background of toxicosis can harm the health of the expectant mother and child. There is a depletion of the body, a lack of nutrients. Call a doctor if you feel unwell.
5. Poisoning case. If toxic substances enter the stomach, poisoning occurs (for example, alcohol). Reflex eruption brings harmful compounds outward, which is why the body is cleansed.
6. Drug side effects. Each medication has a number of contraindications and side effects. Individual intolerance to the components that make up the drug can have side effects (often in an elderly person).

Usually, this reflex of the body is preceded by a feeling of nausea, poor health, increased salivation, sharp pain in the stomach, dizziness. When vomiting occurs:

• damage to the esophagus;
• large fluid losses associated with dehydration and leaching of minerals;
• complications of concomitant disease;
• aspiration pneumonia - inhalation of vomit, from which they enter the nose, respiratory tract (night vomiting is a great danger);
• damage to tooth enamel by gastric juice, if there is a sudden frequent vomiting, the oral cavity is not sufficiently washed with saliva.

Pay attention to nausea for no particular reason. It indicates pathological processes in the body.

Symptoms

Before a person vomits, the body starts a number of processes. Signs:

• The person is sick, there is a prolonged heartburn;
• Salivation increases, the breath smells unpleasant;
• Severe abdominal pain appears;
• Sometimes chills, fever;
• Diarrhea;
• Stomach cramps;
• The person feels weak and unwell.

First aid for nausea

What should be done to help the body cope with vomiting, relieve attacks of nausea? Try to apply the tips:

• Observe bed rest, in a horizontal position the feeling of nausea weakens;
• Wash your face with cool water;
• Empty your mouth after vomiting;
• Drink a weak tea with a slice of lemon;
• Drink fluids to stay hydrated;
• Do not eat food for 2-3 hours;
• In case of poisoning, you need to flush the intestines;
• Eat diet foods in small portions;
• Ventilate the room, smells can provoke feelings of nausea;
• Try to relax, this will help relieve the excitement of the nervous system;
• Watch the urge at night, if every hour there is an eruption of stomach masses, nauseous from water, call a doctor.

Remember! Nausea and vomiting are not a disease, but a concomitant symptom that does not occur without a cause. If it is involuntary or continuous, then seek medical attention. After identifying the cause, you can begin to treat the disease and get rid of the unpleasant phenomenon.

Diagnostic methods

An important step is the correct diagnosis, study of the medical history. Medical examination of the patient clarifies the questions:

• Time of occurrence of nausea, gagging (before / after meals / not associated with food);
• The presence of pain (in the stomach, in the head);
• The nature of the discharge - color, content, presence of food, blood, bile, mucus.

In accordance with the answers received, examinations are carried out: laboratory tests of blood and urine, ultrasound, endoscopy, etc.

Diseases accompanied by nausea and vomiting

• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Ulcerative colitis, gastritis (chronic during exacerbation, acute), pancreatitis, appendicitis, hernia, peritonitis, tumor of the stomach organs, helminthic invasion;
• Inflammatory processes in the gallbladder (cholecystitis), liver (hepatitis), cholelithiasis;
• Disorders of metabolic and endocrine processes: diabetes mellitus, toxicosis during pregnancy, renal failure, lactic acidosis;
• Dysfunctions of the nervous system are manifested in diseases: meningitis, botulism, brain tumor, encephalitis, head trauma;
• Failure of the vestibular apparatus causes a feeling of nausea: otosclerosis, thrombosis of the auditory artery, vestibular neuronitis;
• Diseases of the cardiovascular system: heart attack, heart failure, arterial hypertension.

Some illnesses can be asymptomatic. For example, pancreatitis in an old and elderly person proceeds with mild symptoms. Therefore, in order to diagnose the cause, it is important to undergo a complete medical examination.

Treatment

It is necessary to start treatment after establishing the exact cause and diagnosis. To cure a disease, an integrated approach to therapy is needed:

1. A therapeutic diet is recommended and useful for gastrointestinal diseases. The goal is to restore the functioning of the stomach, normalize the digestive process, activate metabolism, and reduce the load on the digestive organs. If there was repeated vomiting, it is important to replenish the body with minerals, nutrients, and vitamins. The menu should be balanced. It is recommended to drink large quantities of liquid to avoid dehydration.
2. Medication. Depending on the nature of the disease, the following can be prescribed: antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antibacterial, pain relievers, choleretic, antihistamines, prebiotics, antipsychotics. Medicines are selected based on the diagnosis, individually for each case. The goal of this treatment is to eliminate the cause, to start living without pain, without vomiting.
3. Traditional methods of treatment. Medicinal herbs help deal with the feeling of nausea, restore the work of the digestive tract. Decoctions of chamomile, peppermint, calendula, pine needles, celandine, rose hips, ginger, wormwood, dill have a choleretic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory effect. The course of treatment, dosage and permission should be discussed with the attending physician.

For what symptoms urgently call an ambulance

A medical emergency is required if:

• Persistent vomiting began after an illness associated with inflammatory processes in the body;
• There are signs of dehydration;
• High fever, antipyretic drugs do not help;
• Persistent abdominal pain;
• There are signs of poisoning, causeless diarrhea;
• If the allocated mass is empty, desires begin every 5 minutes without nausea, even after water;
• The child vomits in a fountain at night, with no other visible symptoms;
• Dizziness, fainting;
• The manifestation of other symptoms of the disease.

Prevention includes proper nutrition, identifying and eliminating the causes that contribute to vomiting, not allow relapse and complications of chronic diseases, timely seeking medical help and treatment.