Sickness can happen to everyone, and it may even happen more frequently in Jakarta. Nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (being sick) among adults, in particular, are not usually serious.
It is most likely that you would not need any specific treatment to address those ailments. Moreover, it is most likely that you can address those ailments by yourself at home until you eventually feel better.
When it comes to vomiting, however, one of the most common causes of vomiting among adults is a gut infection (gastroenteritis), which usually lasts one or two days. Sometimes vomiting can be a sign of a more serious illness.
When to Get Medical Advice
If your vomiting is caused by an infection, it can spread to other people very easily. In that case, you should avoid going to a doctor’s clinic. If you are feeling very unwell or concerned about your vomiting, you should call your trusted medical practitioner (GP).
You should definitely seek medical advice if your circumstances are as follows:
- You have been vomiting for more than 48 hours, and your health has not been improving;
- You are unable to keep your drinks down;
- You have been showing signs of dehydration, like dizziness and passing little volume of urine;
- The colour of your vomit is green (bile);
- You have started losing weight;
- You have been suffering from episodes of vomiting frequently.
When to Get Urgent Help
You should immediately seek urgent help if your circumstances are as follows:
- You have been suffering from sudden and severe stomach pain, which could suggest possible appendicitis;
- You have been suffering from severe chest pain;
- You have found blood in your vomit;
- You have been suffering from a stiff neck and a high temperature (fever);
- You have been suffering from severe headaches;
- When you happen to be a diabetic and taking insulin;
- When you might have swallowed poisonous substances.
Looking After Yourself
To prevent yourself from becoming dehydrated, the most important thing you can do is to keep drinking small sips of water. You may also consume a sweet drink to replace the lost sugar. Do not do this, however, if a sweet drink ends up making you feel sick instead. In addition, salty snacks, such as crisps, can help replace lost salt.
Ginger, including ginger teas, can help to reduce your nausea and vomiting.
Common Causes of Vomiting Among Adults
The most common causes of nausea and vomiting among adults include the following:
- Gastroenteritis, which most likely occurs if you also have diarrhoea;
- Pregnancy;
- Migraines, which are headaches that last for a few hours or even several days;
- Labyrinthitis, which also causes dizzy spells and a spinning sensation;
- Motion sickness, which is oftentimes associated with travelling.
Furthermore, vomiting among adults can also be caused by several other things, including:
- Certain medicines;
- Alcohol;
- Kidney infections and/or kidney stones;
- Hernia or gallstones;
- Chemotherapy and radiotherapy;
- Inflamed gallbladder;
Finding a clinic or a doctor you are comfortable talking to about this matter would be a smart idea. Patients from 81 countries have registered with Good Practice (we managed to add Iceland to our list as well). Give us a try. Our English-speaking team implements international guidelines. Contact us at +62 21 7183140, info@goodpractice.co.id, or +62 85772721119 for WhatsApp messages only.
Dr Steven Graaff, MD, MRCGP, the founder of the GOOD PRACTICE Clinic, is a graduate of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Before completing his formal training in General Practice in the UK, he worked in several hospitals, as well as in occupational health and general practice in the Netherlands and the UK. As a medical professional with international experience, Steven decided to start his own clinic, GOOD PRACTICE, in Jakarta.