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How Should Sudden Vomiting Be Managed In An Elderly Woman?

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Posted on Fri, 1 Jul 2022
Question: Hello, My mother who is 79 who is in good health started throwing up and can't keep anything down, she feels pretty good besides that. No fever, no pain anywhere. She can't even keep water down. We have been giving her ice to suck on and mixed up water sugar/salt in water for her to sip on. Do you have any suggestions. This started yesterday.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Malik (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
She is highly likely having gastroenteritis.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

If she is having only vomiting without any other symptoms (a headache or strong abdominal pain) the most likely cause is gastroenteritis. It is a self-limited infection of the gastrointestinal tract mostly caused by viruses. The virus causes inflammation of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract.

This may cause such vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal cramps. The treatment of viral gastroenteritis is to prevent fluid and electrolyte loss using oral rehydration solution (ORS) that you made at home.

Please, give her at least two liters of ORS a day. She should maintain pale-colored urine. To stop nausea and vomiting you can give her prochlorperazine tablets. It should not be used for more than 5 days. Introduce foods in small amounts such as chicken soup, vegetable soup or boiled white rice but avoid dairy products and fatty food. She should recover completely in few days without any long-term problems.

But if she has significant dehydration from vomiting (dry mouth, weakness), severe diarrhea (more than 10 times/day), blood in the stool or fever higher than 101° Fahrenheit, severe abdominal or chest pain contact your doctor immediately.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thank you


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Malik (2 hours later)
Thank you for your reply. It looks like a Prescription is needed for prochlorperazine tablets. Is there anything over the counter like Emetrol that does not require a prescription?
Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Malik (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Emitrol can be given to relief nausea

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Yes, you can give your mother Emitrol or Nausene. Both are OTC medicines. They are safe to take and can effectively relief nausea and vomiting.

Wish her quick recovery. Please, feel free to ask me if there is anything else you need to know.
Thank you.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Malik

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 353 Questions

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How Should Sudden Vomiting Be Managed In An Elderly Woman?

Brief Answer: She is highly likely having gastroenteritis. Detailed Answer: Hi, If she is having only vomiting without any other symptoms (a headache or strong abdominal pain) the most likely cause is gastroenteritis. It is a self-limited infection of the gastrointestinal tract mostly caused by viruses. The virus causes inflammation of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. This may cause such vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal cramps. The treatment of viral gastroenteritis is to prevent fluid and electrolyte loss using oral rehydration solution (ORS) that you made at home. Please, give her at least two liters of ORS a day. She should maintain pale-colored urine. To stop nausea and vomiting you can give her prochlorperazine tablets. It should not be used for more than 5 days. Introduce foods in small amounts such as chicken soup, vegetable soup or boiled white rice but avoid dairy products and fatty food. She should recover completely in few days without any long-term problems. But if she has significant dehydration from vomiting (dry mouth, weakness), severe diarrhea (more than 10 times/day), blood in the stool or fever higher than 101° Fahrenheit, severe abdominal or chest pain contact your doctor immediately. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Thank you