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Does Dehydration Result In Severe Vomiting?
Question: My 39 yr old son called from XXXXXXX airport saying he was throwing up again. Mostly mucus and water. He is flying to XXXXXXX now. He travels a lot so probably picked up a bug. What should I give him? Some years ago he was dehydrated after throwing up all night and was hospitalized to obtain IV of fluids. We don't want that to happen again. Please advise.
Brief Answer:
fluid/ electrolyte replacement, probiotics, hold off solids
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
As you stated, he probably picked up an infection at some point.
Treatment: (1) hold off all solid food till there is a 4 hour window with no symptoms.
No solids till 4 hours with no vomiting. When this 4 hour mark passes, start with small amounts of dry foods- biscuits, toast. Banana can also be used
(2) dramamine or peptobismol or both (can be used together safely) - these decrease vomiting.
Dramamine would cause drowsiness
(3)fluids- he needs fluids but only small amounts at a time initially. If he uses too much initially, would actually cause vomiting.
Initially, for the first hour, he should use 1 tsp to 1 tbs every 5 mins, if this is tolerated for the hour, the amount can be increased
Replacing fluids would also help with the vomiting by decreasing the body's acid build up
Oral hydration fluids are preferred, these give back both fluids and electrolytes
(4)probiotics can sometimes help but these are more useful if there is diarrhea present
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
fluid/ electrolyte replacement, probiotics, hold off solids
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
As you stated, he probably picked up an infection at some point.
Treatment: (1) hold off all solid food till there is a 4 hour window with no symptoms.
No solids till 4 hours with no vomiting. When this 4 hour mark passes, start with small amounts of dry foods- biscuits, toast. Banana can also be used
(2) dramamine or peptobismol or both (can be used together safely) - these decrease vomiting.
Dramamine would cause drowsiness
(3)fluids- he needs fluids but only small amounts at a time initially. If he uses too much initially, would actually cause vomiting.
Initially, for the first hour, he should use 1 tsp to 1 tbs every 5 mins, if this is tolerated for the hour, the amount can be increased
Replacing fluids would also help with the vomiting by decreasing the body's acid build up
Oral hydration fluids are preferred, these give back both fluids and electrolytes
(4)probiotics can sometimes help but these are more useful if there is diarrhea present
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I picked up my son at airport and he tilted seat back and rested all the way home(40 minutes). When we got home, he walked upstairs to the bathroom and knelt in front of the toilet. He was vomiting mostly muscous/water with small bits of food in it. Then he wanted to go to bed. I put a towel and pan by his bed. Also a bottle of water. I have not given him any aspirin or aleve. He has no abdominal pain, no diarrhea and temp is 96.5. Should I wake him up during the night to take small sips of water or let him sleep?
Brief Answer:
aspirin, aleve, ibuprofen, cataflam etc can cause gastritis
Detailed Answer:
HI
Sorry about the delayed reply
I would not use aspirin or aleve or any member of that drug family, those meds can cause gastritis (inflammation/irritation of the stomach).
If pain occurs, paracetamol/tylenol would be the better option
Let him rest, when he awakes, he can drip the sips
Please feel free to ask anything else
aspirin, aleve, ibuprofen, cataflam etc can cause gastritis
Detailed Answer:
HI
Sorry about the delayed reply
I would not use aspirin or aleve or any member of that drug family, those meds can cause gastritis (inflammation/irritation of the stomach).
If pain occurs, paracetamol/tylenol would be the better option
Let him rest, when he awakes, he can drip the sips
Please feel free to ask anything else
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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