Cold & Flu Symptoms When to See Your Healthcare Provider for Nausea and Vomiting By Kristina Duda, RN Kristina Duda, RN Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. Learn about our editorial process Updated on December 17, 2021 Medically reviewed by Keri Peterson, MD Medically reviewed by Keri Peterson, MD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Keri Peterson, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine and has her own private practice on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. She holds appointments at Lenox Hill Hospital and Mount Sinai Medical Center. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Nausea and vomiting have many possible causes, some benign and some serious. No matter what’s at the root of nausea and vomiting, it can feel awful and even be debilitating—and a sudden episode can be unsettling. The first step to getting better is narrowing down why you got sick in the first place. It’s important to know whether to get medical attention or focus on nursing yourself back to health at home—or a combination of these. The following suggestions can help you make that call. Whatever the cause, prolonged vomiting can cause dehydration, which can become a medical issue on its own. Verywell / Ellen Lindner Possible Cause Signs and Symptoms Emergency? Motion sickness NauseaVomiting Unlikely Morning sickness in pregnancy NauseaVomitingPossible dizziness or headache Unlikely Food poisoning NauseaVomitingStomach crampsDiarrheaFever (possible) Possibly Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) NauseaVomitingWatery diarrheaAbdominal crampsLow-grade fever Unlikely Alcohol ingestion, intoxication, or hangover NauseaVomitingHeadacheVertigoSensitivity to light and sound Unlikely Food allergies NauseaVomitingWheezingHoarse voiceSwelling face, lips, tongueDiarrheaPossibly anaphylaxis Possibly Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) NauseaVomitingHeartburn pain in chest Unlikely Migraine HeadacheSensitivity to light, noise, and odorsNausea and vomiting Unlikely Medications (including chemotherapy) NauseaVomiting Possibly Appendicitis Abdominal pain (becoming sharp and severe)NauseaVomitingFeverLoss of appetite Yes Poison or medication overdose NauseaVomitingOther symptoms depending on the substance, including rash, diarrhea, trouble breathing, seizure, loss of consciousness Yes Intestinal blockage Abdominal swellingAbdominal pain and crampsConstipation or diarrheaCan’t pass gasVomiting (may be green from bile or brown from feces) Yes Peptic ulcer Abdominal painChronic nauseaVomiting (may be red or coffee-ground appearance from blood)Bloody or dark, tarry stoolsHeartburn or chest painFatigue Possibly Meningitis Sudden high feverSevere headacheStiff neckNausea or vomiting Yes Concussion or brain injury HeadacheNeck painNausea or vomitingRinging in the earsDizzinessTirednessSeizuresConfusion Yes Cyclic vomiting disorder NauseaVomitingCyclic attacks Unlikely Heart attack Chest painShortness of breathCold sweatNausea and/or vomitingFaintingFatigueFeeling of impending doom Yes Signs You Can Likely Use Self-Care If you are in motion (car, bus, train, boat, plane, etc.) and had no symptoms prior to starting your journey, your nausea and vomiting may be motion sickness. Self-care is appropriate, as are over-the-counter motion sickness medications. If you had nausea or diarrhea prior to vomiting, these are signs that your vomiting is most likely due to a stomach bug. It could be a virus such as gastroenteritis or bacteria such as E. coli or salmonella. While most cases get better on their own, children and those with weak immune systems can develop complications. Food poisoning can be suspected if others who dined with you in the past few hours are also having symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. You may also have painful abdominal cramps and could have a low-grade fever. Most cases of food poisoning will resolve with self-care so long as dehydration or more concerning symptoms do not develop, or any cramping or fever do not become progressively worse. Starting a new medication or treatment (such as chemotherapy) may produce nausea and vomiting. Self-care is usually appropriate if there are no other symptoms, but you should call your healthcare provider to report your symptoms and get advice about whether to change medications. Signs such as a missed menstrual period and new onset of nausea and vomiting may indicate morning sickness common to pregnancy. If you could possibly be pregnant, take a pregnancy test. If you are pregnant, self-care is appropriate for morning sickness, but you should see a healthcare provider for prenatal care. It is common to have nausea and vomiting after drinking alcohol, as it can upset the stomach both at the time you are drinking and when experiencing a hangover. Use self-care to feel better. Nighttime Nausea Typical Appearance of Vomit Most vomit starts out looking like whatever it was you ate last. An orange color is expected if you are vomiting hours after eating, as food that is being digested will give vomit this hue. If you have been vomiting repeatedly, your vomit will often become clear as all of the food has been ejected and only digestive juices remain. These characteristics do not point to serious causes, but they do not rule them out either. Self-Care Strategies If you have a stomach bug or any other more benign cause of vomiting, lay down and do not attempt to participate in any physical activities while you are sick. If you do not vomit for a period of 15 to 20 minutes, you can try to introduce small sips of clear liquids (water or an electrolyte drink such as Gatorade or Pedialyte). Continue clear liquids for at least six hours. While actively vomiting, it is best to avoid eating and stick with sips of clear liquids. This will help prevent dehydration and it reduces the risk of choking when vomiting. Once you are able to keep clear liquids down for six hours or more, you can progress to a bland diet. After the risk of vomiting has subsided, continue to avoid spicy, fatty, and salty foods, as well as those that have a strong odor, until you are tolerating food well. How to Stop Throwing Up When to Schedule an Appointment Regardless of what you think is causing your nausea or vomiting, see your healthcare provider if you have these symptoms. These can point to more concerning causes that need to be further screened for and monitored: Inability to keep down any liquids or food and have vomited three or more times in a dayVomiting that does not stop in 24 hours (adults and children) or 12 hours (infants)Recurrent bouts of nausea or vomitingStomach or abdominal painNausea for more than two daysFever over 100 degrees F in children under age 6, over 102 degrees F in children age 6 and over, or over 101 degrees F in adults Your healthcare provider may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications that are appropriate for your age, other health conditions, and cause of your symptoms. If you note vomiting after eating certain foods, you may have a food allergy or intolerance. In most food allergies, a reaction to the food happens soon after ingestion. However, in food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), the reaction may be delayed for hours, so it is harder to identify the trigger. When to Get Urgent Care Some illnesses that cause vomiting require immediate medical attention. You may need to go to an urgent care clinic or an emergency room for these symptoms: Signs of dehydration, which can include dark-colored urine or no urination for 12 hours, thirst, dry mouth or eyes, fatigue, dizziness when standingHistory of head injury in the past 24 hoursSevere abdominal painSevere headache and/or stiff neckConfusionFeverRed, black, coffee-ground-like, green, or dark yellow vomitHives or swelling of the face, lips, or tongueIn infants, green vomit or persistent vomiting Vomit that is shades of green or dark yellow is typically due to bile, a digestive fluid released from the gallbladder into the first section of the small intestine. For children, this can signal a blockage or torsion of the stomach or small intestine that requires immediate medical attention. It can also occur when a person has vomited so much that there is no food or liquid left in their stomach. In this case, it may be an indication of dehydration. In adults, vomit that is green from bile may also be due to a bowel blockage. Signs of blood in vomit may or may not be obvious. If you are vomiting bright red, it could be blood. Black vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds may also be blood. Although there may not be active internal bleeding, vomit that looks like coffee grounds is still considered a medical emergency. When to Call 911 Nausea and vomiting can be signs of a heart attack, severe allergic reaction, brain injury, meningitis, bowel obstruction, or poisoning. These accompanying symptoms and scenarios warrant getting emergency medical assistance by calling 911: Chest painRapid breathing or pulseHigh fever with stiff neckSevere abdominal painSigns of anaphylaxis, such as trouble swallowing or breathingYou suspect poisoning as a causeBrown vomit that smells like feces Frequently Asked Questions What does green or yellow vomit mean? Shades of green and dark yellow in vomit are typically due to bile. Bile is a digestive fluid released from the gallbladder into the first section of the small intestine. Green or yellow vomit is a symptom of a blockage or rotation in the stomach or small intestine in children. Green or yellow vomit could indicate dehydration or a bowel blockage in adults. One exception: If you recently ate or drank something green or yellow and this is your first round of vomiting after eating, the green or yellow hue is likely due to your stomach contents. What does orange vomit mean? Orange vomit typically occurs several hours after eating. Most food turns orange during the digestive process. Vomit that is orange is not typically problematic unless it is accompanied by other symptoms. Warning signs to watch for include a head injury in the last 24 hours, severe abdominal pain, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, fever, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, or tongue. Should I lie down after throwing up? You can if it makes you feel better, but you don’t have to. Many people find lying down after vomiting helps to settle the stomach. However, sometimes lying down makes a person feel worse. People who have GERD or are experiencing acid reflux may feel better in a seated or reclining position after throwing up. If a person is drunk or not fully conscious after vomiting, do not let them lie on their back, but instead roll them on their side to prevent choking. Is it ok to drink water after throwing up? Do not drink or eat anything immediately after throwing up—wait at least 15 to 20 minutes. After that, you can try to take small sips of water or other clear liquids. While water is fine, an electrolyte drink, such as Pedialyte, may be easier for your stomach to handle and help replace electrolytes lost during vomiting. 9 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Cleveland Clinic. Nausea & vomiting: possible causes. MedlinePlus. Nausea and vomiting. MedlinePlus. When you have nausea and vomiting. Clevland Clinic. Nausea & vomiting: when to call the doctor. American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES). American Academy of Pediatrics. Infant vomiting. Standford Children’s Health. Could that stomachache in your child be appendicitis? National Health Service. Vomiting in adults. Obokhare I. Fecal impaction: a cause for concern?. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(1):53–58. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1301760 Additional Reading American Academy of Family Physicians. Antiemetic medicines: OTC relief for nausea and vomiting. Churgay C, Aftab Z. Gastroenteritis in children: part II. prevention and management. Am Fam Physician. 2012 Jun 1;85(11):1066-1070. MedlinePlus. Anaphylaxis. MedlinePlus. Nausea and vomiting—adults. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms and causes of appendicitis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Definitions and facts for cyclic vomiting syndrome. By Kristina Duda, RN Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Related Articles How to Stop Throwing Up What Is Salmonella? What Is the Stomach Flu? 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