The majority of cases of nausea and/or vomiting will resolve in 6 to 24 hours with home treatment. It is important to consult a doctor when you experience frequent nausea or vomiting, especially if it lasts more than one day. This could indicate a serious condition. The doctor will ask you questions about your medical history and examine you. The doctor may perform a physical examination and order blood tests to test for conditions such as a low count of white blood cells or poor liver function. Many factors can cause nausea and vomiting, including motion sickness and migraines. Other causes include pregnancy, gastrointestinal problems and medications. Many over-the-counter drugs can relieve nausea and vomiting. You may need hospitalisation if the nausea and vomiting is severe.

Vomiting and nausea can be symptoms of many illnesses and disorders ranging from cancer chemotherapy to viral gastroenteritis. Infection, pregnancy, and medications are the most common causes. Infections can cause sudden onset symptoms such as Staphylococcus or enterotoxin from E.coli. Many gastrointestinal diseases, including gastroenteritis (food poisoning), peptic ulcers, and gallbladder problems, can also cause nausea and/or vomiting. The cause of the illness determines whether the symptoms are acute or chronic.

Dehydration can cause complications in a person with nausea and vomiting. Drink clear liquids like water or broth in small amounts to avoid dehydration. Avoid spicy, fatty or sweet foods as they can worsen nausea. Resting in bed or sitting on the couch can help people with nausea feel better. It is helpful to drink fluids that contain electrolytes.

Call your doctor at ClinicALL if your symptoms persist for longer than a couple of days. A doctor will order a blood study and possibly an imaging test such as an x-ray or ultrasound to determine if you have a serious condition or heart attack.

Your doctor may prescribe medications and suggest other safe treatments if you are pregnant, have a medical condition which can cause vomiting (such as a heart valve problem, kidney or liver disease, or a tumour). Antiemetics or antiemetic medicines are some of the options. In some cases, medications can be administered via IV. Your doctor may recommend surgery or another procedure if your symptoms don’t respond to the treatments. Some medications such as corticosteroids and chemotherapy drugs, morphine, anti nausea agents and corticosteroids can cause nausea and vomiting. These symptoms can also be a result of autoimmune disease and certain treatments, such as anaesthesia, radiation therapy and invasive procedures. Before you start the treatment, your doctor will go over all of the risks and benefits. All medications, including those taken at home, should be discussed with your doctor. Some can reduce the effectiveness of another medication and increase the risk for adverse reactions.