"Pernicious vomiting" is spelled with the phonetic transcription /pərˈnɪʃəs ˈvɒmɪtɪŋ/. The word "pernicious" means harmful, destructive, or fatal. "Vomiting" refers to the act of ejecting stomach contents through the mouth, often due to illness or poisoning. This phrase is used to describe severe, persistent vomiting that may cause dehydration or other complications. The spelling of this word uses commonly used English sounds represented by the letters P, E, R, N, I, C, O, U, S, V, O, M, I, T, I, N, and G.
Pernicious vomiting refers to a persistent and severe form of vomiting that can have harmful effects on an individual's health. It is characterized by recurring episodes of uncontrollable and forceful expulsion of the stomach's contents, leading to significant discomfort and potential complications.
This medical condition can be caused by various factors, such as viral or bacterial infections, reactions to medications, gastrointestinal disorders, pregnancy-related conditions (such as hyperemesis gravidarum), or even psychological factors. Pernicious vomiting typically goes beyond the occasional bouts of nausea and vomiting experienced by most individuals and presents as a chronic and debilitating condition.
The consequences of pernicious vomiting can be grave, including dehydration, malnutrition, electrolyte imbalances, weight loss, and damage to the esophagus or tooth enamel from repeated exposure to stomach acid. Psychological health can also be affected due to the distress and disruption caused by the relentlessness of the vomiting.
To treat pernicious vomiting, a comprehensive approach is needed, which may include identifying and addressing the underlying cause, managing symptoms with antiemetic medications, and ensuring proper hydration and nutritional support. In some cases, hospitalization may be required to closely monitor the patient's condition and provide intravenous fluids and nutrition.
Overall, pernicious vomiting is a condition that requires prompt medical attention, as untreated persistent vomiting can have detrimental effects on an individual's physical and psychological well-being.
Uncontrollable v.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "pernicious vomiting" does not have a unique etymology of its own as it is a combination of two separate words, "pernicious" and "vomiting". Here are the etymologies of each component:
1. Pernicious:
The word "pernicious" comes from the Latin word "perniciosus", which means "destructive" or "deadly". It is derived from the noun "pernicies", meaning "ruin" or "harm". It entered English in the late 14th century, retaining its Latin origin.
2. Vomiting:
The word "vomiting" has its roots in the Latin verb "vomere", meaning "to spew forth". It can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*wem-" or "*wom-", which also gave rise to related words in various other languages.