In this Article

• Introduction to nausea and vomiting
• What causes nausea or vomiting?
• Acute gastritis
• Central causes
• Association with illness
• Medications and medical treatments
• Bowel obstruction
• Pregnancy
• What about vomiting in infants?
• What can I do at home for nausea or vomiting?
• When should I call the doctor regarding nausea and vomiting?
• How is the source of nausea or vomiting diagnosed?
• How is nausea or vomiting treated?
• Nausea and Vomiting At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Nausea And Vomiting - Describe Your Experience
• Nausea and Vomiting Glossary
• Nausea and Vomiting Index

Central causes (signals from the brain that cause nausea and vomiting)

• Headache: especially migraine, is commonly associated with nausea and vomiting.
  
  
• Inner ear: Motion sickness, labyrinthitis, benign postural vertigo, or Meniere's disease
  
  
• Head injury: Any illness or injury that increases the pressure inside the skull can cause vomiting. This rise in intracranial pressure may be due to brain swelling from trauma (for example, concussion or head trauma), infection (meningitis or encephalitis), tumor, or abnormal electrolyte and water balance in the bloodstream.
  
  
• Noxious stimulus: Certain smells or sounds can cause centrally mediated nausea and vomiting. Whether it is the pain of a broken bone or the emotional shock of observing an event, vasovagal events can cause significant symptoms. In a vasovagal episode, the vagus nerve (one of the nerves that helps control basic body functions like heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure) is overly stimulated and cause the heart rate to slow and blood vessels to dilate. This decreases the blood flow to the brain and causes fainting, known as a syncopal episode.
  
  
• Heat related illness: For example heat exhaustion, extreme sunburn, or dehydration

Nausea And Vomiting - Describe Your Experience

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