Vomiting in adults

Vomiting in adults | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Stomach, liver and gastrointestinal tract Vomiting in adults Vomiting in adults Return to Symptoms Enter age Last Updated: Next Review Date: Review my answers Find your local services Search for a service near you by entering your postcode below. Please input your postcode in the following format: A12 1BC GP Practices Dental Services Pharmacies Opticians Postcode Search NHS inform has more information on this condition. Read more Previous Start guide Review my answers  You told us your credentials were: : You said: Based on the information you gave us, we made the following recommendation: Close Keep a copy View PDF Nausea and vomiting in adults isnt usually a sign of anything serious. It tends to only last 1 or 2 days. Vomiting is the bodys way of getting rid of harmful substances from the stomach, or it may be a reaction to something that has irritated the gut. One of the most common causes of vomiting in adults is gastroenteritis . This is an infection of the gut usually caused by bacteria or a virus. Itll normally improve within a few days. Vomiting can occasionally be a sign of something more serious, such as appendicitis . There is a separate page on vomiting in children and babies . Vomiting self-help guide Complete our self-help guide to check your symptoms and find out what to do next. Phone 999 or go to A&E if: Youre vomiting and you also have: sudden, severe abdominal (tummy) pain severe chest pain blood in your vomit or what looks like coffee granules have green or yellow-green vomit a stiff neck and high temperature (fever) a sudden, severe headache thats unlike any headache youve had before swallowed something poisonous, or think you may have have a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights Speak to your GP if: youve been vomiting repeatedly for more than a day or two youre unable to keep down any fluids because youre vomiting repeatedly you have signs of severe dehydration , such as confusion, a rapid heartbeat, sunken eyes and passing little or no urine youve lost a lot of weight since you became ill you experience episodes of vomiting frequently youre worried about your vomiting and are feeling very unwell you have diabetes and have been vomiting a lot, particularly if you take insulin as it can affect your blood sugar level Common causes of vomiting in adults Gastroenteritis If you have diarrhoea as well as vomiting, its likely you have gastroenteritis. This is one of the most common causes of vomiting in adults. Its often caused by: a virus, like norovirus food poisoning caused by bacteria in contaminated food Your immune system will usually fight off the infection after a few days. Pregnancy Pregnant women often experience nausea and vomiting, particularly during the early stages of pregnancy. This is often called morning sicknessbut it can happen at any time of the day. Migraines If you have recurrent episodes of vomiting along with intense, throbbing headaches that last for a few hours to days at a time, you may be experiencing migraines . Pain relief, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen , can sometimes help control the pain. Your GP can prescribe anti-sickness medicine to help prevent vomiting. Labyrinthitis If you also feel dizzy, or feel like youre spinning ( vertigo ), you may have an inner ear infection called labyrinthitis . Labyrinthitis will usually improve over a few days. Your GP can prescribe medication to reduce your symptoms if needed. Motion sickness Nausea and vomiting when travelling could be a sign of motion sickness. You can try: looking at the horizon distracting yourself by listening to music Appendicitis As well as vomiting, appendicitis can cause severe pain in your abdomen (tummy). You should phone 999 for an ambulance if you experience pain that suddenly becomes worse and spreads across your abdomen. These are signs that you appendix may have burst. If you have appendicitis, you will often need surgery to remove your appendix. Other causes of vomiting in adults Vomiting in adults can also be caused by a number of other things, including: certain medicines, such as antibiotics and opioid painkillers drinking too much alcohol kidney infections and kidney stones a blockage in your bowel, which may be caused by a hernia or gallstones chemotherapy or radiotherapy acute cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) Looking after yourself at home Mostly, you can take care of yourself at home until you feel better. Do keep taking small sips of water frequently so you dont become dehydrated drink a sweet drink such as fruit juice to replace lost sugar, unless it make you feel sick eat salty snacks, such as crisps, which can help replace lost salt try ginger (in supplements, biscuits or tea)  but check with your pharmacist or GP before using ginger supplements Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 29 May 2023 How can we improve this page? 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