Is Throwing Up Bad For You
Is Throwing Up Bad For You? Vomiting can happen to anyone at any time. It’s usually harmless and doesn’t really cause too much damage other than making you feel uncomfortable and giving you bad taste in your mouth. Usually, there are some causes for this kind of sickness like food poisoning or flu virus infection. But, sometimes it happens when there are serious problems in our bodies. Vomiting is one of those symptoms which signal that we need urgent medical attention. If somebody has been vomiting repeatedly over several hours, then they may have eaten something harmful. This could include drugs, alcohol, poisons, etc. The person may also suffer from certain diseases such as cancer, diabetes, liver disease, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, neurological problem, etc.
Vomiting can happen when a person drinks too much liquid and/or eats large amounts of food all together. Sometimes, the nausea feels good because it means that the stomach will empty soon. When this happens, more food actually gets digested and absorbed into the blood stream instead. Even though the stomach empties quickly, the vomit takes longer to leave the stomach. In fact, many people think that their stomachs must be full when they throw up what looks like solid pieces of food. However, vomiting is normal and nothing unusual. We’ll learn about the different types of vomiting later on.
The first step towards recovering from vomiting is to take care of yourself. Your health is very important. Drink plenty of fluids. Water is always best, but if you don’t drink enough water, soda pop works well. Avoid alcohol consumption. Don’t eat anything until you’re feeling better. Take rest so your body can heal. Get rid of stress by doing things you enjoy rather than worrying about the cause of the vomiting. Try relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga. These activities relaxes your mind and helps you cope with stress.
If the cause of vomiting is due to an illness, it’s best to consult your doctor immediately. He or she might suggest home remedies such as taking aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), drinking lots of liquids, resting, avoiding greasy foods, eating small meals often, and getting plenty of sleep.
There are two main kinds of vomiting – projectile and bilious. Projectile vomiting involves throwing up fluid from the stomach. The second type of vomiting is called biliary vomiting, which refers to the movement of undigested food through the pipes known as the pancreatic ducts, out through the common bile duct into the duodenum where it finally becomes part of the stool.
Bilious vomiting occurs when gastric juices flow backward into the esophagus. Here’s a diagram showing how these two types work:
Projectile vomiting:
1) Causes of projectile vomiting
– Food poisoning
– Alcohol intoxication
– Viral infections
– Flu viruses
– Diarrhea
– Cancerous tumors
2) Symptoms of projectile vomiting
– Nausea
– Headache
– Weakness
3) Treatment for projectile vomiting
– Rest
– Drinks lots of fluids
– Eat less
4) Prevention for projectile vomiting
– Keep hands away from mouth while eating
– Eat smaller meals frequently
– Do not lie down right after eating
– Wear rubber gloves during meal preparation to avoid contamination
– Wash hands carefully before touching face or nose
– Throw up everything you ate
– Stay in a dark room
– Cleanse esophagus gently with warm saltwater
– Lie down immediately after throwing up
– Drink plenty of fluids
5) Warning signs of projectile vomiting
– Severe abdominal pain
– Shock
– Confused mental state
– High fever
– Chills
– Dizziness
– Pus draining from eyes
Bilious vomiting:
1) Causes of bilious vomiting
– Gallstones
– Pancreatitis
– Liver disease
– Kidney failure
– Trauma
– Infection
– Tumors
– Congenital defects
– Digestive disorders
– Constipation
2) Symptoms of bilious vomiting
– Abdominal pain
– Jaundice
– Bloating
– Dark stools
– Fever
– Sore throat
– Coughing
– Excessive weight loss
– Shortness of breath
– Shivering
– Shock
– Headaches
– Stomach cramps
– Wounds
– Bleeding
– Rash
– Swollen glands
– Nausea
– Painful menstruation
– Bloody vomit
3) Treatment for bilious vomiting
– Drink 8 glasses of fluid per day
– Force small amount of bland diet between 3 and 4 times daily
– Administer antispasmodics
– Give antiemetics
– Elevate head above level of toilet bowl
– Place ice pack on forehead
– Warm compresses
– Apply heat packs to abdomen
– Check temperature rectally every 2 hours
– Check pulse rate every hour
– Monitor breathing
– Watch for hemorrhaging
– Be careful of wound drainage
– Restrict activity
– Hydrate patient
– Encourage frequent urination
– Use humidifier to prevent dry air
– Put cotton cover over bed head
– Remove clothing around affected area
– Change bandages if necessary
– Keep patient calm and quiet
– Keep patient warm and comfortable
– Call doctor if condition worsens
– Never give medication without consulting doctor
Prevent projectile vomiting:
1) Preventative measures against projectile vomiting
– Wear disposable dishes
– Always wash your hands thoroughly
– Make sure food reaches the back of the tongue properly
– Refrain from lying down right after meals
– Keep fingers away from openings of the mouth
– Wash hands thoroughly after handling food
– Do not touch your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing hands
– Keep nails trimmed short
– Wash hair, nails, and skin thoroughly after visiting sick persons
Bilious vomiting:
1) Preventative measures against bilious vomiting
– Eat high fiber foods
– Do not strain to vomit
– Drink plenty of fluids
– Increase intake of protein
– Reduce sodium
– Stop smoking
– Control blood pressure
– Decrease use of coffee and caffein
– Exercise regularly
– Sleep 6 to 7 hrs each night
– Follow proper dental hygiene
– Wash hands carefully after eating and cleaning teeth
– Wear disposable paper plates, utensils, and cups when ill
– Keep hands away from mouth while eating
– Wear rubber gloves during meal preparation to avoid contamination
– Eat small meals frequently
– Do not lie down right after eating
– Wear long sleeve shirt and pants
– Cover self with blanket during coughing fits
– Use separate bathroom facilities
– Wash and change linens frequently
– Keep off hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, etc.
– Avoid alcoholic beverages
– Maintain a healthy weight
– Get adequate rest
– Protect mucous membranes from exposure to cold, damp weather
– Keep skin clean and dry
– Keep hand sanitizer handy to combat germs
– Do not share personal items like toothbrushes, combs, razors, towels, etc.
– Limit travel
– Consult your physician promptly if you experience chest pains, severe headache, blurred vision, dizziness, difficulty in breathing, swelling, numbness, tingling sensations, rapid heartbeat, confusion, weakness, extreme fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, black, bloody, or tarry stools, etc.
Remember that vomiting is only a symptom. It does not mean that you have a serious underlying problem. If you have any concerns regarding your condition, please see your primary healthcare provider.
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