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Nausea and vomiting can be a side effect of drugs like epoprostenol,
treprostinil, and bosentan. They can also be caused by the heart
failure common in PH. Vomiting is how our body gets rid of food
it thinks should not be in the stomach. It is stimulated by sensory
receptors in the wall of the stomach including stretch receptors
that indicate when the stomach is too full, and chemoreceptors
that detect possible toxins and poisons. The emetic center in
the brain responds by causing a wave of reverse peristalsis in
the stomach muscles, expelling the contents.
While vomiting is unpleasant, it is only dangerous when it is
severe or prolonged. The main danger is loss of fluids and minerals
(magnesium, calcium and potassium). This can cause dehydration,
weight loss, and an electrolyte imbalance. If too much fluid is
lost, the situation can become dangerous and intravenous fluids
and electrolytes may be needed to reverse the imbalances. If you
have prolonged nausea or vomiting, contact your doctor.
Here are ways to avoid nausea:
- Don’t eat large meals that fill your stomach, drink
large amounts of liquids with meals, or drink too many carbonated
beverages.
- Avoid greasy and fatty foods: fat causes food to remain in
the stomach longer, increasing the chance you may vomit.
- When you feel nauseated, nibble on high-carb foods such as
crackers, pretzels, dry toast, and soft bread.
- Cold non-acidic liquids often help to settle a stomach (try
small sips of ice
water, ice chips, iced herbal teas, ice tea, and small tastes
of fruit sorbets).
- Sit up when you eat and don’t lie down immediately after
eating.
- Avoid any food that you know causes gas or “repeats”
on you (makes you burp).
- Place an ice pack on the back of your neck. The gel pacs
used to cool Flolan
work well.
- Open windows and let in fresh, cool air. Stale or smoky air
makes nausea worse.
- Keep you teeth and tongue brushed, your teeth flossed, and
your mouth rinsed. This will help keep bad flavors and odors
from developing.
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