Nausea and Vomiting Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
Nausea and vomiting are miserable conditions that we can’t escape and have to endure at least a few times in our lives. We expect to have the symptoms during a minor bout of the flu, but sometimes an upset stomach can indicate a more serious problem.
Nausea and Chest Pain
Nausea and vomiting accompanied by chest pain may be indicative of a heart attack. The symptoms that are most often felt include:
Crushing, tight chest pain and pressure
Chest pain that travels up the neck and around the back
Left arm pain
Sudden, Intense Vomiting
If severe nausea and vomiting suddenly occurs approximately four to six hours after a meal, food poisoning may be present. If mushrooms, poultry or fish were eaten, medical help is needed.
Severe Vomiting in Pregnancy
Most women suffer mild to moderate stomach upset during pregnancy with occasional vomiting. Hyperemesis gravidarum occurs when the vomiting is severe enough to put the mother and baby at risk, and medical assistance should be sought when the symptoms include:
Loss of more than 5% of body weight
Dehydration
The inability to keep any food or liquids in the stomach
Nausea After Head Trauma
Nausea and vomiting that follows a blow to the head is an ominous sign that a serious head injury or concussion may be present. Often the nausea will go away, but if it worsens, it is often a sign of brain trauma.
Unexplained, Persistent Nausea
Individuals who are suffering from nausea that is not easily linked to any known cause may be experiencing a symptom from cancer. Other changes that may occur include:
Weight change
Pain
Exhaustion
Cramping and Nausea
Nausea, vomiting and cramping that consistently appears after a certain food is eaten may be indicative of an allergy. Common culprits include nuts, wheat, milk and eggs.
Severe Abdominal Pain
Intense abdominal pain and nausea that is so severe that an individual has to walk bent over is often a cardinal sign of appendicitis. It is a medical emergency, because the appendix may burst and cause a serious infection of the abdomen.
