If you are experiencing regular bouts of vomiting, you may be wondering when is the right time to visit urgent care.
Vomiting is the body’s way of ridding itself of harmful substances from the stomach, or it may be an adverse reaction to something that has irritated the gut. It can be caused by various things, from food poisoning to a more severe illness, so it is crucial to seek medical attention if you are not feeling better within a day or two.
This blog will discuss vomiting causes and symptoms and when it is appropriate to visit urgent care.
You Are Vomiting Blood
Blood can be a sign of a more severe condition, such as an ulcer, and should be checked by a doctor as early as possible. If you are vomiting up blood, it is essential to seek medical attention. Ulcers are caused by a build-up of bacteria in the stomach and can be a severe condition. You should go to an urgent care clinic if you are vomiting blood.
Other causes of vomiting blood include:
- Cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Esophageal varices
If you have these conditions, it is vital to seek medical attention. In addition, if you have been vomiting for more than 24 hours and cannot keep liquids down, you should also seek medical attention.
You Have Projectile Vomiting
It occurs when the muscles in your stomach and intestines contract powerfully and force the contents of the stomach to come up through your mouth. Projectile vomiting can signify a severe condition, such as an obstruction in your intestines or bowel. If you’re projectile vomiting, it’s essential to seek medical attention.
Some signs of projectile vomiting include:
- Vomit that is coming out of your mouth with so much force that it splatters
- Vomiting for more than 24 hours
- Significant abdominal pain
- Dehydration
- Dizziness
- Fainting
Your Vomit Contains Material That Looks Like Coffee Grounds
A material that looks like coffee grounds in your vomit is a sign of bleeding in your upper gastrointestinal tract. If this is the situation, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Some treatment methods for vomiting due to bleeding include:
- Blood transfusions
- Intravenous fluids
- Surgery
Blood transfusions involve taking healthy blood from another person and giving it to you through an IV. Intravenous fluids are given through an IV to help prevent dehydration. Surgery may be necessary to stop the bleeding.
You Are Dehydrated And Cannot Keep Any Fluids Down
One of the common vomiting causes includes dehydration. Dehydration means your body doesn’t have enough water. You can get dehydrated from losing too much fluid, not drinking enough fluids, or both.
Symptoms of dehydration include:
- Feeling thirsty
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness.
If you are experiencing such symptoms, urgent care centers use treatment methods like IV therapy to help you rehydrate. The faster you can get started on treatment, the better.
You Have a Fever Over 101 Degrees
Lastly, if you have a fever over 101 degrees in addition to vomiting, it’s time to seek medical care. A high fever could signify a more severe condition like meningitis, which is an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can cause permanent brain damage or hearing loss if not treated quickly.
Conclusion
Whether your case of vomiting is mild or severe, it’s always best to consult with a medical professional. Urgent care clinics can provide you with the care and treatment you need to feel better.
Hi, I’m the Founder and Developer of Paramedics World, a blog truly devoted to Paramedics. I am a Medical Lab Tech, a Web Developer and Bibliophiliac. My greatest hobby is to teach and motivate other peoples to do whatever they wanna do in life.