Vomiting Treatment and Keeping Hydrated Properly

Dear Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee,

I missed two days of work due to vomiting constantly. A coworker told me that I drank too much water while vomiting and that's why I kept vomiting. But, if you vomit, don't you need to stay hydrated?

Signed,

Nausea annoying

Dear Nausea annoying,

Although dehydration is a concern with vomiting or diarrhea, the amount of liquid that you intake should be minimized or it could induce more vomiting.

Adult Vomiting Treatment

1. Rest

2. After vomiting, wait 90 minutes before drinking liquids. Then drink small amounts of clear liquids, just a small sip at first, and wait 15 minutes before drinking more. If tolerated, take 1-2 sips of clear liquid every 15 minutes for three hours. Clear fluids: water, Gatorade, apple juice, clear broth, or Pedialyte (oral rehydration solution especially important for children).

3. Over the counter anti-nausea medication such as Emetrol may be helpful.

4. If you have not vomited for 8 hours, then introduce small amounts of bland solid food such as the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast), cereal, crackers, potatoes, pasta.

Seek medical attention if vomiting lasts for more than 8 hours, fever over 101, blood in vomit or stool, or severe pain in abdomen.