Nausea and vomiting can occur following surgery. Let’s understand these symptoms and how they can be managed.
What are nausea and vomiting?
Nausea is the unpleasant feeling that makes you think you might throw up, while vomiting is the actual act of throwing up. Sometimes, people experience nausea without vomiting. These two symptoms often occur together.
Postoperative nausea and vomiting
After surgery, some individuals may experience postoperative nausea and vomiting, which is typically not severe but can still be uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are preventive measures and treatments available to alleviate these symptoms.
Causes of nausea and vomiting after surgery
The primary cause is general anesthesia, which renders patients unconscious during surgery. However, not everyone who undergoes general anesthesia experiences nausea or vomiting. Several factors increase the likelihood of post-surgical nausea and vomiting, including:
- History of nausea or vomiting before surgery
- Female gender
- Age below 50 years
- Non-smoking status
- Previous experience of postoperative nausea and vomiting
- Past motion sickness episodes
- Specific types of anesthesia or pain medications used during surgery
Certain types of surgical procedures also elevate the risk of nausea and vomiting.
Potential complications
Although postoperative nausea and vomiting usually resolve spontaneously or with treatment, complications can arise, such as:
- Incision reopening
- Dehydration due to excessive fluid loss
Prevention of nausea and vomiting
Doctors can take measures to reduce the risk of nausea and vomiting after surgery. Some preventive approaches include:
- Regional anesthesia: Blocking pain in specific areas of the body, like an arm or leg, using regional anesthesia instead of general anesthesia, is associated with a lower incidence of nausea and vomiting.
- Avoiding certain pain medications: Opioid pain medications post-surgery increase the likelihood of nausea and vomiting. Doctors can prescribe alternative medications to manage pain effectively.
- Medications to prevent nausea and vomiting: Various antiemetic medications are available to prevent and manage these symptoms. They can be administered through skin patches, IV infusion, or orally. Your doctor will determine the appropriate timing and route of administration.
- Acupuncture or acupressure: Some individuals find relief from nausea and vomiting by receiving acupuncture (tiny needle insertion) or acupressure (pressure on specific body parts, like the wrist).
Your doctor will discuss your risk factors and preferences before surgery. Together, you can decide which preventive measures to implement.
Treatment of nausea and vomiting
If you do experience nausea and vomiting, doctors can provide medications for treatment. These medications are the same as those used for prevention, but different options can be explored if the initial medications prove ineffective or wear off.
Duration of nausea and vomiting
The duration varies from person to person. In most cases, people who experience these symptoms after surgery start feeling better within 24 hours. However, in some instances, individuals may need an extended hospital stay if nausea and vomiting persist.
