Nausea and Vomiting Treatment Clinic in Rockville, MD

Most causes of nausea and vomiting are not serious. For example, motion sickness and indigestion are common causes of nausea and sometimes vomiting. Other causes include:

• Food allergies
• Certain medications, both prescription and over the counter
• Pregnancy (morning sickness)
• Food poisoning
• Migraines

Although rare, nausea and vomiting could also signal the presence of a more serious health condition. If that’s the case, there are usually other symptoms that appear at the same time.

For example, nausea and vomiting can be signs of appendicitis or a blockage in the intestines. It could also be a sign of poisoning or overdosing on certain medications, especially in the case of children.

People with ulcers in the stomach or intestine might also vomit or be nauseous. Often, patients mention these symptoms during a routine examination such as a dot physical or pre-op exam, or if they seek treatment for another condition.

If the nausea is not severe and you only vomited once, you might be able to deal with it right at home. Home treatment is also useful even if you eventually have to see your provider anyway. This tells your provider what you have already tried and whether it worked at all, so he can decide the next course of action.

The best thing you can do for both nausea and vomiting is to switch to a liquid diet for 24 hours. This gives your stomach a chance to rest but still keeps you hydrated. Try drinking clear broth, sports drinks, and water in small sips. You can also buy hydration salts at the pharmacy (they come flavored) and add them to your water. You can do this even if you plan to see your provider, to ensure you stay hydrated in the meantime.

Nausea is rarely a reason to see your provider unless you have been experiencing it for long periods of time and cannot pinpoint a cause for it. Vomiting, on the other hand, might merit a phone call to your provider, especially if you have vomited several times in a period of 24 hours. That’s because vomiting repeatedly can lead to dehydration or indicate food poisoning.

You should also see your provider if you notice the color of the vomit is black or dark, as this could be a sign of blood coming from the stomach. Vomiting combined with severe belly pain, a stiff neck, or the inability to urinate also warrants a call to your provider.

When you go see your provider, he will likely spend some time asking you questions, such as when nausea or vomiting started and how often it is happening.

He will also ask about recent events, such as whether you ate something unusual or started taking a new medication. Other symptoms, including headaches, diarrhea, or stomach pain, can also be important to help determine the cause of the problem.

Once the cause of nausea has been found, your provider will treat the underlying problem. To relieve nausea and vomiting until the problem has been resolved, your provider might prescribe antiemetics (anti-nausea medication). This will allow you to feel more comfortable, but also to retain liquid so you don’t become dehydrated.

If you wait too long and you are already dehydrated, you might need to stay in the hospital to receive IV fluids.

When in doubt, come to Physicians Now Urgent Care and Walk-In Clinic in Rockville, MD to be evaluated and treated by one of our providers. We serve patients from Rockville MD, Travilah MD, Lone Oak MD, Colesville Park MD, Redland MD, Darnestown MD, Anscroft MD, and Wheaton-Glenmont MD.