Vomiting
While not pleasant, vomiting is a common symptom that can be caused by various conditions, most often viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”) or food poisoning. Usually, vomiting can be managed with home care and a check-in with your primary care doctor.
Head to the ER if… there is blood in the vomit, significant stomach pain, or dark green bilious vomit which could suggest bowel obstruction. Another important factor with vomiting is dehydration. “If you are unable to keep anything down, you will need to get medication or treatments to help you stay hydrated,” explains Stanton. “Young children can become dehydrated rather quickly, but most healthy adults can go several days before significant dehydration becomes an issue.”
