301 N + V Flashcards
Aetiology of N + V
Medulla oblongata - vomiting centre results in trigger of vomiting when activity reaches threshold
CTZ - located outside BBB and detects harmful toxins and compounds in blood
Involves CNS, ANS, gastric dysrhythmias & endocrine system
Why does chemotherapy cause N + V?
Body wants to expel it as it is killing body’s cells
Symptoms of N + V
Nausea, retching and emesis
Causes of N + V
Pregnancy
Motion sickness
Gastroenteritis
Migraine
Appendicitis
Cholecysitis
Cholelithiasis
Peptic or duodenal ulcers
N + V in pregnancy
Nausea affects 70% of women and vomiting 60%
Most common in 1st trimester
Occurs early morning
Caused by surge in hormone levels
Most much OTC due to licensing, refer to GP
Motion sickness
Nausea, pallor, vague abdominal discomfort & occasional vomiting
More common in children
Symptoms improve after prolonged exposure (habituation)
Inability of brain to process conflicting information from sensory nerve terminals regarding movement & position
Migraines
5 million sufferers in UK
Affects adolescence
Headache, visual disturbances, N + V
Headache and N + V treated separate
Gastroenteritis
Caused by virus or bacteria
Vomiting, diarrhoea, systemic illness
Vomiting precedes diarrhoea (do not treat diarrhoea as infection last longer and no vomiting)
Self limiting (up to 10 days)
Advise electrolytes for dehydration
Conditions to eliminate in N + V
Gastritis
Infants
<1 month (Hirschsprung’s disease)
1 month - 1 year
Children 1-12 years
Medicine induced
Excess alcohol consumption
Pregnancy
Medicine induced N + V
Cytotoxic meds
NSAIDs
Opiates
Iron
Antibiotics
SSRIs
Theophylline
Digoxin
RED flag symptoms in N + V
Suspected pregnancy
Vomiting under 1 for >24 hours
Children who fail to respond to OTC
Unexplained N + V in any age
Moderate to severe abdominal pain
Haematemesis
N + V management
Eat cold food
Drink plenty of fluids
Ginger products
Avoid laying down after eating
Eat small regular meals
Fresh air
Sir in front of car/bus
Choose window seat on planes/trains
Try to lay down, shut eyes, sleep or look at horizon
Distract yourself
Flavoured lozenges
N + V OTC management
Domperidone - no license
Prochlorperazine - only licensed in migraines
Antihistamines - motion sickness
Anticholinergics - motion sickness
Antihistamines used OTC for motion sickness
Cyclizine
Cinnarizine
Promethazine
Anticholinergics used OTC for motion sickness
Hyoscine
Scopolamine