Symptoms

Vomiting

What it is:

Vomiting is the body's forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth. It is a common symptom of digestive system irritation or an underlying illness rather than a standalone condition.

Common causes:

Triggers include viral stomach infections, food sensitivity, motion sickness, rapid travel to high altitudes, severe migraines, and early pregnancy.

Self-care:

  • Take small, frequent sips of water or oral rehydration fluid to maintain hydration.
  • Rest and avoid heavy, greasy, or spicy foods until your stomach settles.
  • Continue smaller, more frequent breast or bottle feeds for infants who are unwell.

When to seek help:

Visit a local health post, primary healthcare centre (PHC), or hospital if you cannot keep fluids down, vomit blood or dark coffee-ground material, produce green vomit, experience a stiff neck with high fever, or show signs of severe dehydration like dark urine. Call 102 for an ambulance in a medical emergency.

If symptoms suggest a serious emergency, call 102 for an ambulance where available.

Conditions associated with this symptom

Heart attack A heart attack happens when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is suddenly cut off, usually because of a blockage in one of the arteries th... Emergency Japanese encephalitis Japanese encephalitis, often shortened to JE, is a viral infection spread through the bite of infected Culex mosquitoes. The virus can cause inflamma... Emergency Meningitis Meningitis is an infection of the protective layers, called meninges, that enclose the brain and spinal cord. While anyone can develop this condition... Emergency Acute cholecystitis Acute cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder. This condition typically arises when a gallstone obstructs the cystic duct. The gallbladde... Urgent Altitude sickness Altitude sickness happens when the body does not have enough time to adjust to the lower oxygen level at high altitude, usually above about 2,500 met... Urgent Appendicitis Appendicitis is a condition where the appendix becomes inflamed and swollen. The appendix is a small, finger-shaped pouch attached to the large intes... Urgent Dengue Dengue is a viral illness spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It is found in many tropical and subtropical parts of the world, including... Urgent Kidney stones Kidney stones can form in one or both kidneys and tend to occur most commonly in adults between the ages of 30 and 60. They are a fairly widespread c... Urgent Malaria Malaria is a serious disease that can make a person very ill. It is caused by tiny parasites that spread to humans through the bite of an infected mo... Urgent Pre-eclampsia Pre-eclampsia is a condition that can develop during pregnancy, usually after 20 weeks, or sometimes in the days and weeks after birth. It happens wh... Urgent Stomach ulcer A stomach ulcer is a sore in the lining of the stomach. It is sometimes also called a gastric ulcer. Similar ulcers can occur in the first part of th... Urgent Migraine Migraine is a common neurological condition that can cause repeated episodes of headache and other symptoms. The headache is often throbbing, moderat... Routine
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