One of the most common causes of vomiting in adults is gastroenteritis. However, vomiting can occasionally be a sign of something more serious, such as appendicitis , so if you are feeling very unwell or are worried about your vomiting, trust your instincts and call your GP. There is a separate topic on vomiting in children and babies. This is because prolonged vomiting can affect your blood sugar level.
Your immune system will usually fight off the infection after a few days and the self-care measures described above can help in the meantime. Read more about treating gastroenteritis. Pregnant women typically experience repeated episodes of nausea and vomiting, particularly during the early stages of pregnancy.
This is often called " morning sickness ", although it can occur throughout the day. Read more about morning sickness, including things you can do to help reduce your symptoms. Read more about treating migraines. You should call for an ambulance if you experience pain that suddenly becomes worse and spreads across your abdomen. These are signs that your appendix may have burst. If you have appendicitis, you will often need surgery to remove your appendix.
Read more about treating appendicitis. In most cases, you won't need any specific treatment and can take care of yourself at home until you feel better. The most important thing you can do is to keep taking small sips of water frequently so you don't become dehydrated. A sweet drink such as fruit juice can be useful for replacing lost sugar, although you should avoid sweet drinks if they make you feel sick.
Salty snacks, such as crisps, can help replace lost salt. You may also find ginger helps to relieve your nausea and vomiting. This is available as supplements, or can be found in ginger biscuits and ginger tea.
