I can't stop vomiting. Should I call my health professional?

Frequently asked questions from mothers.

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I can't stop vomiting. Should I call my health professional?

Postby admin » May 26, 2004 11:09 pm

If you cannot keep more than a few bites of food or a few sips of water down for 24 hours or more, if you lose 2 or more pounds (0.9 kg) in one week, vomit blood, faint, or generally feel very unwell, call your practitioner. If you have several of these symptoms and it is after working hours, you may need someone to take you to the ER or an urgent care center.

You can buy Ketostix at a local pharmacy without a prescription. These test your level of dehydration and starvation. If you have ketones in your urine (the test is positive), you will need to get fluids through an intravenous (IV) line at the doctor's office, ER, hospital, or an urgent care center. Ketones may be harmful to you and the baby if not treated.

If you have been vomiting for several weeks and are eating very little, you will also need vitamins in your IV. Sometimes this is forgotten, so make sure you ask about it, as it is very important. B-vitamins are most critical as they are depleted rapidly by vomiting and lack of eating. Remember, dehydration and ketones worsen your nausea and vomiting and need to be monitored closely.

Call your health professional if you experience any of the following:

    Abdominal pain, bleeding, or cramping
    Difficulty thinking or focusing
    Difficulty walking or talking
    Extreme fatigue and very low energy
    Little if any food or fluids stay down for over 24 hours
    Little saliva and a dry mouth
    Moderate or severe headache and/or fever
    Muscular weakness or severe cramping
    Repeated vomiting or retching daily
    Severe nausea that keeps you from eating/drinking
    Shortness of breath or dizziness
    Urination is infrequent (over 8 hours) and minimal amount
    Urine is dark yellow and concentrated
    Visual disturbances, or fainting
    Vomit is red with blood or yellow with bile
    Weight loss of 2 pounds (0.9 kg) or more in a week
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