VOMITING
Vomiting is the forceful emptying of the contents of the stomach. Vomiting is body’s way of getting a contaminated substance out of its system. Recurrent vomiting & nausea may be signs of a serious underlying disease
What are the causes of vomiting?
Vomiting is common and may occur when a person eats too much or consumes excessive alcohol. These are generally not worrisome. Certain conditions include:
- Food Poisoning
- Indigestion
- Infections
- Motion Sickness
- Morning Sickness in Pregnancy
- Headaches
- Chemotherapy
- Crohn’s disease
- Anesthesia
What are the Complications of Vomiting?
Vomiting can make the stomach expel not only foods but fluids too. As such, dehydration is the most common complication and it can in turn cause:
- Parched mouth & tongue
- Tiredness
- Dark Coloured Urine
- Decreased urination
- Headache & confusion
What are the signs of dehydration?
- Dry mouth
- Increased thirst
- Less or no urine
- Lack of tears
How is it treated?
Irrespective of the cause or age, treatment for vomiting involves:
- Drinking larger amounts of clear liquids gradually
- Avoiding solid foods
- Administering oral rehydration solutions if vomiting lasts for more than 24 hours
- Vomiting caused by cancer treatments such s chemotherapy can be treated with certain drugs
How is it prevented?
In most cases, following a few good habits can help you stay away from vomiting.
There are certain steps one can take to prevent Colon Cancer:
- Use soap & warm water to wash your hands at least for 20-30 seconds to avoid viruses & bacteria.
- Keep an eye on the expiry dates of various food products. This can help prevent food poisoning.
- Eat slowly and avoid hard to digest foods
