Everyone has had that feeling before. That queasy feeling in the stomach, sometimes leading to vomiting. Stomach bugs, morning sickness, food poisoning, medications, or too much alcohol can all be causes for these symptoms which normally go away with time. Knowing when nausea and vomiting (N/V) is a signal of something more serious happening in the body is important.
Continued N/V can lead to dehydration, weakness, and inability to accomplish daily tasks. It has a negative impact on people’s ability to live their daily life, especially if it continues for very long.
When is it Time to Ask Your Doctor about Nausea and Vomiting
If there is no obvious cause of long-term nausea and vomiting, or if the patient is a high-risk patient (the elderly, babies and people in a weakened state of health) a physician will want to evaluate and treat patients to bring their hydration and chemical balance back to a normal state. They will then begin to investigate the reason for the N/V.
Serious health concerns which may cause persistent nausea and vomiting include:
- Bacterial infection
- Medication intolerance
- Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis
- Blockage in the stomach or intestines
- Pancreatitis
- Gastroparesis
- Meningitis
- Psychiatric disorders
- Hormonal disorders
Long-term N/V can lead to malnutrition, weight loss, dehydration, and chemical imbalance, all of which may affect vital organs and a person’s ability to function normally. The force of contractions from repeated vomiting can also cause internal tears and bleeding.
There are medications available to help with nausea while a Gastroenterologist investigates the cause of this debilitating symptoms. The experienced doctors at Granite Peaks Gastroenterology help patients find solutions to their difficult gastrointestinal issues. If you have been experiencing nausea and vomiting on a regular basis for an extended period, please call our office to get the help you need to get back to good health.