Nausea and Vomiting
Many illnesses can cause stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. Some are mild and will
pass by themselves, but others are serious and need medical attention.
SYMPTOMS
DIAGNOSIS
1. Is the person an
See "Nausea and Vomiting in
infant or child?
Infants and Children."
2. Do you have a
fever?
SELF-CARE
Go to Question 9.*
3. Do you have dark
urine and/or a yellow
You may have HEPATITIS, a
discoloration of your
disease that causes liver
skin or eyes along
inflammation and is most
with other cold and
commonly caused by a virus.
See your doctor right away.
Hepatitis needs to be treated
to avoid liver damage.
flu symptoms?
Drink plenty of fluids and get
4. Do you have cold
rest. Use an analgesic such as
and flu symptoms
You may have viral
acetaminophen to reduce
along with nausea,
GASTROENTERITIS
fever. If your symptoms get
vomiting and/or
(stomach flu).
worse or you don't get any
diarrhea?
better after a few days, see
your doctor.
5. Do you have pain
in the middle or lower
right side of your
abdomen, and have
you lost your
appetite?
You may have
APPENDICITIS, an
inflammation of the
appendix, or a BOWEL
OBSTRUCTION.
6. Do you have a
EMERGENCY
See your doctor or go to the
emergency room right away.
An infected appendix could
rupture within 24 hours if left
untreated.
EMERGENCY
headache or stiff
You may have MENINGITIS,
See your doctor or go to the
neck, and does
a serious infection of the
emergency room right away.
normal light hurt your
membranes around the brain.
Delay could result in serious
eyes?
injury or death.
See your doctor. Gallbladder
7. Do you have pain
in your right upper
abdomen or do
greasy foods make
the pain worse?
You may have GALLSTONES
symptoms often come and go.
or CHOLECYSTITIS, an
You may still need medicine
infection of the gallbladder.
or surgery to take care of the
This may also be due to
problem. If the pain is intense
PANCREATITIS, an
or your fever persists, see
inflammation of the pancreas.
your doctor or go to the
emergency room right away.
You may have FOOD
Drink plenty of fluids and get
POISONING caused by a
plenty of rest. Most episodes
8. Did your sickness
toxin or bacteria from
will clear up by themselves in
occur shortly after
contaminated food. This is
6 to 12 hours. If your
eating food?
likely if someone else who ate
symptoms are severe or you
the same food also became
don't get better, call your
ill.
doctor.
*9. Do you have a
You may have a PEPTIC
See your doctor. Use an
burning pain in your
ULCER or GASTRITIS
antacid to relieve pain and
abdomen
caused by a bacterial
discomfort. You may need
between your
infection of HELICOBACTER
antibiotics to treat the
breastbone and belly
PYLORI.
infection.
You may have a bleeding
EMERGENCY
ULCER or another serious
See your doctor or go to the
condition such as CANCER.
emergency room right away.
button?
10. Have you
vomited blood and/or
had black, tarry
stools?
11. Do you have a
burning feeling in
your lower chest,
along with a sour or
bitter taste in your
Use an antacid to relieve pain
You may have HEARTBURN.
throat and mouth
and discomfort. If the pain or
burning continue, see your
doctor.
especially after
eating?
12. Are you taking
Medicine or other
any medicine, herbs
supplements could be
or vitamins?
causing the problem.
13. Have you missed
a period or could you
See your doctor and tell him or
her about any medicine or
other supplements you are
taking.
Use an in-home pregnancy
You may be PREGNANT.
be pregnant?
test, and if it is positive,
confirm it with your doctor.
14. Do you have
You may have
Monitor your blood sugar
diabetes or are you
KETOACIDOSIS, usually
closely and check your urine
at risk of having
caused by high blood sugar.
for ketones if you have test
diabetes?
strips. See your doctor if the
symptoms are severe or last
more than 24 hours. If you
have not been diagnosed with
diabetes and think you may be
at risk, see your doctor.
15. Did you recently
hit your head and
now have a
You may have a serious
headache, blurred
HEAD INJURY.
vision, numbness or
EMERGENCY
See your doctor or go to the
emergency room right away.
tingling?
For more
information, please
talk to your doctor. If
you think the
problem is serious,
call your doctor right
away.
This tool has been reviewed by doctors and is for general educational purposes only.
It is not a substitute for medical advice. The information in this tool should not be
relied upon to make decisions about your health. Always consult your family doctor
with questions about your individual condition(s) and/or circumstances.