Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of various medical conditions and can be quite debilitating. Antiemetics are medications that are used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of antiemetic in detail.
Definitions
An antiemetic is a medication that is used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting. It works by blocking the signals that trigger nausea and vomiting in the brain. Antiemetics are commonly used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and motion sickness.
Origin
The word antiemetic is derived from the Greek words “anti” which means against and “emesis” which means vomiting. The term was first used in the early 20th century to describe medications that could prevent or treat nausea and vomiting.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, an antiemetic is “a drug that is used to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines antiemetic as “a drug or other substance used to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting.”
Associations
Antiemetics are commonly associated with the treatment of cancer and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. They are also used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting associated with surgery, radiation therapy, and motion sickness.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of antiemetic include anti-nausea medication, anti-vomiting medication, and antiemetic drug.
Antonyms
There are no specific antonyms for antiemetic as it is a medical term used to describe a specific class of medication.
The same root words
The root words of antiemetic are “anti” which means against and “emesis” which means vomiting. Other medical terms that use these root words include antidiarrheal (against diarrhea) and antitussive (against coughing).
Example Sentences
- The doctor prescribed an antiemetic to prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery.
- The patient was given an antiemetic to manage the side effects of chemotherapy.
- The cruise ship provided antiemetic medication to passengers who were prone to motion sickness.