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Nausea & vomiting treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

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Can I talk to a doctor on Maple about nausea and vomiting?

Yes, you can. In most cases, a doctor from Maple will be able to provide a nausea and vomiting diagnosis by observing your condition. They’ll also want to discuss any other connected symptoms or signs of nausea and vomiting that you’re currently experiencing.

The nausea and vomiting can be caused by a wide range of conditions. These symptoms range from mild and expected, to severe and requiring medical attention. Because of this, the doctor may suggest additional testing be done to check for the underlying condition, before providing a nausea and vomiting diagnosis.

If you have severe, persistent signs of nausea and vomiting, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Can I get a prescription on Maple?

Yes, our physicians can prescribe medications for nausea and vomiting online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription for nausea and vomiting, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or to have it delivered right to your door at no additional cost.

You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.

What are nausea and vomiting?

Nausea and vomiting are actually symptoms of other conditions, rather than diseases themselves. Vomiting is often the result of having nausea, particularly if the nausea is persistent or severe.

Nausea can be described as pain in the stomach, in varying degrees of severity, ranging from uneasiness to sharp cramping pains.

Vomiting is the voluntary or involuntary emptying of stomach contents through the esophagus and mouth. This is often referred to as “throwing up”.

What are the symptoms of nausea and vomiting?

In most cases, nausea and vomiting are signs or symptoms of other underlying conditions. Because of this, nausea and vomiting can be considered symptoms themselves.

However, there are additional symptoms that often appear alongside nausea and vomiting, including:

  • Dry mouth
  • Decreased urination
  • Fainting
  • Rapid pulse
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Abdominal pain
  • Chest pain
  • Confusion
  • Excessive sweating
  • Vertigo
  • Lightheadedness
  • Fatigue
What causes nausea and vomiting?

The most common causes of nausea and vomiting differ depending on the age of the person affected.
Children most frequently experience signs of nausea and vomiting due to causes such as:

  • Allergies (particularly milk in children)
  • Food poisoning
  • Motion sickness
  • Overeating/feeding
  • Coughing
  • Illness (particularly those causing high fever)
  • Viral infection
  • Blocked intestines or constipation

Common nausea and vomiting symptoms for adolescents and adults include:

  • Seasickness
  • Influenza
  • Gastroenteritis
  • A reaction to certain unpleasant smells
  • Intense pain
  • Medication-induced vomiting
  • Early-stage pregnancy
  • Dizziness
  • Anything triggering your gag reflex
  • Alcohol use
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
  • Fever
  • Emotional distress

In some cases, nausea and vomiting is caused by serious conditions, such as:

  • Gallbladder disease
  • Ulcers
  • Heart problems (heart attack or heart failure)
  • Acute liver failure
  • Hiatal hernia
  • Brain injuries
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction)

If your nausea and vomiting symptoms are severe, persistent, or chronic, you should speak to a doctor about it.

How are nausea and vomiting diagnosed?

In most cases, the doctor can offer a diagnosis for what’s causing your nausea and vomiting by evaluating your condition and discussing your symptoms.

However, because nausea and vomiting are often caused by underlying conditions, the doctor may suggest additional testing to narrow down their diagnosis.

In some cases, they may refer you to a gastroenterologist for further evaluation of your nausea and vomiting symptoms.

How are nausea and vomiting treated?

Because nausea and vomiting are usually caused by other conditions, the most effective long-term nausea and vomiting treatments involve treating those underlying conditions and preventing complications from prolonged vomiting.

The types of nausea and vomiting treatments your doctor recommends will depend on the diagnosed underlying cause. In some cases, that could involve prescriptions for nausea and vomiting or medications to treat the causal condition.

The most common direct nausea and vomiting treatments involve self-care at home. These treatments include:

  • Drinking clear fluids (starting with small amounts)
  • Bed rest
  • Eating bland, light foods (and avoiding anything spicy or greasy)
  • Avoiding brushing your teeth after eating
  • Avoiding physical activities after eating
  • Avoiding known triggers (not reading in a moving vehicle if you get motion sickness, avoiding smells that make you gag, etc.)
  • Only eating foods that you know you can tolerate
  • Eating slower and in smaller portions more frequently
  • Avoiding solid foods until vomiting episodes have passed
When to see a doctor for nausea and vomiting?

Most nausea and vomiting will pass on its own. However, if your nausea and vomiting symptoms become severe or persistent, you should talk to a doctor.

They will be able to suggest any additional testing that may be necessary to provide you with a clear diagnosis for your nausea and vomiting.

You may require prescription nausea and vomiting medications in order to treat your underlying condition. The doctor will also be able to refer you to a gastroenterologist, if they believe you require further evaluation.

What is Maple?

With Maple, you can start talking to a doctor about your nausea and vomiting symptoms in a matter of minutes. We’re a healthcare app for fast, convenient 24/7 access to Canadian doctors.

You simply log in, tap a button to request a consultation, and we’ll immediately connect you to a doctor via live chat or video. You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.

Our doctors can assess symptoms, and provide treatment, including prescriptions as necessary.

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A fantastic way to get medical advice when you are unable to see someone in person. The app is so simple to use. Highly recommend. I am not a tech savvy person but the doctor was kind enough to patiently walk me through every step of the process. Thank you.

— Google Play Store

This app is amazing! The doctor was so professional. I just waited 1-2 mins to get served! I highly recommend this app.

— Google Play Store

The service has been amazing for our family. The doctors are kind, thorough, and ask all the right questions. As a busy family of five, this app has been a life saver

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Super impressed with this service. Without a family doctor, it’s easy to feel alone with no care. Very thankful to have options.

— Google Play Store User

So fast and efficient. A process that would have ordinarily involved a referral and a six months wait was completed in less than 72 hours. Wholeheartedly recommend Maple.

— Google Review

At 1:30 am, I realized I had a UTI and was desperate for help. I went online and within ten minutes, I had my prescription faxed to my pharmacy. This service gave me peace of mind.

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Amazing service! It was great being able to connect with a doctor from the comfort of home late at night.

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