Nobody wants to vomit voluntarily. Individuals with eating disorders may force themselves to do so, but it is a compulsion rather than something they can control. However, there are times when a person may need to induce vomiting, such as when they ingest a substance that could make them ill if they do not get it out of their stomach quickly. Before attempting to induce vomiting, what should a person know so they can complete this task safely?
Why Do People Vomit?
There are many reasons why a person may vomit. This action is a natural defense of the human body to protect it from poisons, drugs, and germs. However, there are times when it’s not safe to induce vomiting. For instance, ingesting certain poisons can cause more harm than good if an attempt is made to remove them from the body using this method.
A person must know about inducing vomiting safely. In the past, parents were told to help their child vomit if they had swallowed poison. Today, experts say it is best to take the child to the emergency room or reach out to a poison control center for further guidance. If the child vomits before these actions are taken, the treatment may not be as effective, and the child could actually be at a greater risk of complications.
How People Induce Vomiting
People typically induce vomiting by using their fingers or another object to trigger the gag reflex. They insert two fingers into the throat to trigger this reflex, which will lead to vomiting. When a person must induce vomiting for any reason, they should drink water beforehand. The water can help minimize the damage to the teeth that comes with vomiting. Immediately after vomiting, the individual should rinse with water to reduce the damage caused by the vomit.
When Should a Person Induce Vomiting
A person should only induce vomiting when they have been instructed to do so by a medical professional. Self-induced vomiting can lead to an electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. Furthermore, vomiting can damage the teeth, gums, and throat. The steps should only be taken when a medical professional his determined that no other options are available.
Risks of Inducing Vomiting Without Medical Guidance
A person may be putting their health at risk if they induce vomiting without medical guidance. Some poisons are acidic. If a person vomits these poisons, they are at higher risk of burns and damage to the throat, mouth, and esophagus.
When a person is nauseous, they may try to induce vomiting. They believe doing so will make them feel better. Again, this can lead to damage to various parts of the digestive system, so it should be avoided at all costs.
What many people don’t realize is that vomiting will not empty the stomach. Some content will remain and could cause them harm. For example, vomiting will not remove all poisons that have entered the stomach. For this reason, the individual will still need medical attention to resolve the issue.
Medicines or drugs that are used to induce vomiting can actually be poisonous themselves. If a person takes ipecac syrup because they have ingested a poison, they will still need to go to the emergency room to empty their stomach. Sadly, the activated charcoal that may be provided at the hospital will not be as effective because the ipecac syrup was taken.
Risks of Vomiting
There are other risks associated with the induced vomiting. The individual may become dehydrated or malnourished. Vomiting can lead to electrolyte imbalances in the body that might harm the heart, kidneys, and other organs. Individuals with eating disorders often injure their throat, teeth, gums, and esophagus with repeated vomiting. Individuals who only vomit when they feel nauseous also sustain this damage. Induced vomiting can also lead to pancreatitis, hospitalization, death, and severe cases.
Alleviating Nausea Without Vomiting
There are ways to alleviate nausea without vomiting. A person struggling with a stomach bug should avoid food until they are no longer nauseous. Sipping a glass of water or an electrolyte drink may help relieve the nausea.
Eating several small meals rather than a few large ones may help alleviate nausea. Many people find relief with peppermint hard candies or ginger. However, the best way to avoid nausea is to determine which foods trigger it and avoid them whenever possible. It is always best to try to prevent nausea and vomiting rather than attempting to treat it once it occurs. If vomiting lasts more than a few days, an individual should see a doctor for prescription medications to minimize their nausea and vomiting rather than trying to treat it at home.
What to Do When Someone Ingests a Poison
If a person is poisoned, the first thing others should do is contact Poison Control immediately or take them to the emergency room. The more information that can be provided about this poison, the easier it will be to treat the individual. Provide the container for the doctor, if possible, and share how much the person swallowed, if this information is known. The doctor will also need to know what else the person ate or drank in the previous hours and any medications they are taking.
Eating Disorders
An individual with an eating disorder needs professional help. They have a compulsion that forces them to vomit after each meal. A psychiatrist or psychologist can assist them in overcoming the need to vomit after eating, so they can improve their physical and mental health. If help is needed in finding a mental health professional, the individual’s doctor can direct the family to valuable resources.
Vomiting is never enjoyable. Nobody likes regurgitating the contents of their stomach. When a person feels like they must induce vomiting for any reason, they need to ensure this is the right step to take. Vomiting certain substances can actually make a person very ill, particularly when they have consumed a poison, whether intentionally or unintentionally. The best thing a person can do in this situation is seek medical guidance. Contact the medical professional via telehealth or visit a local urgent care center or emergency room. Doing so will ensure the individual gets the proper treatment for their needs.