DEALING WITH NAUSEA AND VOMITING

Nausea and Vomiting is the body's response to manythings,including contaminated food, viral infections, and severe pain. It also occurs as an adverse effect of some drugs and as result of drug overdose.Do not attempt to provoke vomiting by pushing the finger down the victim's throat. When vomiting does occur, remember the following:

- Vomiting can be a sign of poisoning- Vomiting due to drugs is usually as result of an overdose rather than a side effect.Check in the relevant drug profile wether vomiting is a possible as adverse effect of the suspected drug. If vomiting appear tobe due to an overdose, get medical help urgently.

- Even if vomiting has stopped, keep the person under observation in case he or she losses consciousness or has a fit.- If the person is unconscious and is vomiting ,place him or her in the Recovery Position .

1.Ensure that the victim leans well forward to avoid either choking or inhaling vomit. If the victim appears to be choking, encourage chocking.

2.Keep the vomit for later analysis. Things to remember: effective treatment of drug poisoning depends on the doctor making a rapid assesment of the type and amount of drug taken. Collecting evidence that will assist the diagnosis wil help. After you have carried out first aid, look for empty or opened medicine (or other) containers. Keep any of the drug that is left, together with it's container (or syringe), and give these to the nurse or doctor.

3. Give water to rinse the mouth. This water should be spat out; it should not be swallowed.



Reference;

- New Guide To Medicines & Drugs; Dorling Kindersley
- The Harvard Medical School; The Familiy Guide