Treatment for nausea and vomiting:

The treatment of nausea and vomiting may depend on the cause. However, the following general measures are appropriate for any patient with significant nausea and vomiting.

1. Correction of Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalance. Loss of body fluids results in dehydration and alteration in levels of minerals in the blood. Fluid replacement is usually performed with intravenous saline solution containing potassium. Potassium and sometimes magnesium levels may be low in the blood, and may need to be added to the intravenous fluid.
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3. Nutritional Support. Initially, patients should not eat solid food or may need to stop consuming food and drink altogether. When feeding resumes, clear liquids are given first and the diet advanced as tolerated. When obstruction or chronic symptoms makes feeding by mouth impossible, alternate access for nutrition and fluid support are used. A nasoenteric tube can be placed through the nose into the small intestine, and feeding solutions administered directly into the intestines (known as enteral feeding or tube feeding). A second option is to place a venous catheter into an arm vein or central vein and infuse a prepared solution containing all the essential nutrients and vitamins directly into the blood stream. This is called total parenteral nutrition or hyperalimentation.
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5. Therapy for Symptom Relief. Patients with upper abdominal discomfort from fluid in the stomach or intestines (usually in the presence of a blockage) feel better if a tube is placed through the nose into the stomach to suction out stomach contents. Medications for nausea and vomiting may be given to prevent symptoms (eg, before chemotherapy or immediately after surgery) or to suppress symptoms after they have begun. Several different types of medications are available, and include phenothiazines (such as Compazine and Phenergan), 5-HT3 antagonists (such as Zofran), dopamine receptor antagonists (such as Reglan), antihistamines (Antivert, Dramamine, Benadryl), and anticholinergics (Scopolamine). Other agents that may be used for chronic nausea and vomiting include benzodiazepines (Ativan), and tricyclic antidepressants (Elavil, Pamelor). Medicine to reduce acid production may also be necessary in patients with prolonged vomiting. These agents are given to protect the esophagus from the acidic content of the vomitus.
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7. Other agents. Several alternative approaches are available for nausea and vomiting. The best-studied alternative therapy is perhaps the use of acupressure for pregnancy related nausea and vomiting. Wristbands with acupressure buttons are commercially available, are inexpensive, safe and have been shown to provide relief of mild nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Ginger and vitamin B6 supplements have also been used successfully as symptom suppressants in pregnancy. Electrical stimulation, usually at the wrist, has also been used to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting with some success. Hypnosis has been used with some success to address the fear of vomiting in patients with psychogenic nausea and vomiting, chemotherapy and pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. Therapy focuses on hypnotic suggestions for relaxation and symptom reduction as well as distraction through guided imagery.