PATIENT INFORMATION
I had severe nausea or vomiting after anaesthesia before
Tell the anaesthesiologist. A previous history of postoperative nausea and vomiting is one factor that can increase the risk of it happening again.
Other factors that can increase the risk
- Motion sickness or travel sickness
- Being a non-smoker
- Some types of surgery
- Strong painkillers (opioids) after surgery
- Longer operations
What the team may consider
The anaesthesia plan can often be adjusted and preventive anti-nausea medicines can be considered. Options may include:
- Giving more than one type of anti-nausea medicine
- Choosing anaesthetic medicines less likely to cause sickness
- Using local anaesthetic techniques or nerve blocks where suitable
- A pain-relief plan that reduces the need for opioids
What to tell the team
- What happened last time, and how long it lasted
- The operation you had, if you remember
- Any anti-sickness medicine that did or did not help
- Whether you get motion sickness
After surgery, tell the nursing staff as soon as you start to feel sick, rather than waiting until you vomit.