Gagging throw up. Vomiting and Dry Heaving: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
What are the common causes of vomiting and dry heaving. How can you treat these conditions at home. When should you seek medical attention for persistent nausea and vomiting. What are effective prevention strategies for reducing the risk of vomiting and dry heaving.
Understanding Vomiting: Symptoms and Underlying Causes
Vomiting is a common bodily response that can be triggered by various factors. It’s characterized by the forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth. While unpleasant, vomiting often serves as the body’s defense mechanism against potential toxins or irritants.
What are the typical symptoms preceding vomiting? Common signs include:
- Nausea
- Gagging
- Retching
- Choking sensations
- Involuntary stomach reflexes
- Increased salivation
- An urge to move or bend over
Why does vomiting occur? The causes can be diverse, ranging from minor issues to more serious conditions:
- Viral or bacterial infections (e.g., gastroenteritis)
- Food poisoning
- Pregnancy (morning sickness)
- Motion sickness
- Certain medications
- Alcohol consumption
- Emotional stress
- Migraines
- Concussions or other head injuries
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Cancer treatments (e.g., chemotherapy)
Effective Home Remedies for Managing Vomiting
Can vomiting be treated at home? In many cases, yes. Here are some self-care measures that can help alleviate symptoms:
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of clear fluids to replace lost fluids and electrolytes.
- Follow a clear liquid diet: This allows the stomach to rest and recover.
- Avoid strong odors: Certain smells, including food and perfume, can trigger nausea.
- Gradually reintroduce solid foods: Start with bland, easily digestible options like rice, crackers, and toast.
- Steer clear of spicy and fatty foods: These can irritate the stomach and worsen symptoms.
Are there specific remedies for motion sickness-induced vomiting? Over-the-counter medications like dimenhydrinate and meclizine can be effective. For longer trips, such as cruises, doctors may prescribe adhesive patches.
Medical Interventions for Severe Vomiting Cases
When should you seek medical attention for vomiting? If home remedies don’t provide relief or if vomiting persists for an extended period, professional medical intervention may be necessary.
How do doctors treat severe cases of vomiting?
- Intravenous (IV) fluids: These combat dehydration caused by excessive fluid loss.
- Antiemetic medications: Prescription drugs can help control nausea and vomiting.
- Treatment of underlying causes: If vomiting is a symptom of another condition, addressing that condition is crucial.
For pregnant women experiencing severe morning sickness, are there safe treatment options? Yes, doctors may recommend:
- Vitamin B6 supplements
- Doxylamine
- A combination drug of doxylamine and pyridoxine
It’s important to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen, especially during pregnancy.
Dry Heaving: Causes and Management Strategies
What is dry heaving? Dry heaving, also known as retching, occurs when your body attempts to vomit without actually expelling any stomach contents. It can be just as uncomfortable as vomiting and often accompanies or precedes actual vomiting episodes.
What causes dry heaving? Common triggers include:
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Pregnancy
- Anxiety or stress
- Certain medications
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Dehydration
How can you manage dry heaving at home? Try these remedies:
- Stay hydrated: Take small, slow sips of water or suck on ice chips.
- Replenish electrolytes: Once vomiting subsides, drink electrolyte-rich beverages.
- Rest and relax: Lie down with your head elevated and practice deep breathing.
- Eat bland foods: When you’re ready to eat, start with easily digestible options.
- Try ginger: Ginger supplements or drinks may help reduce nausea.
- Use aromatherapy: Inhaling certain essential oils might alleviate nausea.
Preventing Vomiting and Dry Heaving: Practical Tips
Can vomiting and dry heaving be prevented? While not always possible, there are strategies to reduce their occurrence:
- Maintain proper hygiene to avoid infections
- Practice food safety to prevent food poisoning
- Manage stress through relaxation techniques
- Avoid known triggers, such as certain foods or strong odors
- Stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet
- If prone to motion sickness, take preventive measures before traveling
For pregnant women experiencing morning sickness, what preventive measures can help? Try these strategies:
- Eat crackers before getting out of bed
- Consume a high-protein snack before bedtime
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day
- Avoid strong odors and foods that trigger nausea
When to Seek Medical Attention for Vomiting and Dry Heaving
While most cases of vomiting and dry heaving resolve on their own, there are instances when medical attention is necessary. When should you consult a doctor?
- Vomiting persists for more than 24 hours in adults or 12 hours in children
- Signs of severe dehydration appear (e.g., dark urine, dizziness, rapid heartbeat)
- Blood is present in vomit
- Severe abdominal pain accompanies vomiting
- You suspect poisoning
- Vomiting occurs after a head injury
For pregnant women, when is medical attention crucial? Seek help if:
- You’re unable to keep any fluids down for 24 hours
- You experience signs of dehydration
- You notice a decrease in urination
- You feel dizzy or faint when standing
Understanding the Complications of Prolonged Vomiting and Dry Heaving
While often temporary, persistent vomiting and dry heaving can lead to complications. What are the potential risks?
- Dehydration: Excessive fluid loss can lead to electrolyte imbalances and other health issues.
- Malnutrition: Frequent vomiting can prevent proper nutrient absorption.
- Esophageal damage: Stomach acid can erode the esophageal lining over time.
- Tooth decay: Exposure to stomach acid can damage tooth enamel.
- Aspiration: Vomit can be inhaled into the lungs, potentially causing pneumonia.
How can these complications be prevented? Proper management of vomiting and dry heaving, staying hydrated, and seeking timely medical attention when needed are key strategies.
Special Considerations for Pregnancy-Related Vomiting
Why is it crucial to manage vomiting during pregnancy? Severe and prolonged vomiting, known as hyperemesis gravidarum, can lead to:
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Weight loss
- Nutritional deficiencies that could affect fetal development
How is severe pregnancy-related vomiting typically managed? Treatment often involves:
- Ensuring proper hydration, possibly through IV fluids
- Nutritional support and vitamin supplementation
- Anti-nausea medications deemed safe for use during pregnancy
- In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary
The Role of Diet in Managing and Preventing Vomiting Episodes
Can dietary changes help manage vomiting and dry heaving? Absolutely. A well-planned diet can play a crucial role in both prevention and recovery.
What foods should you eat when recovering from a vomiting episode?
- Bananas: Easy to digest and rich in potassium, which helps replace lost electrolytes.
- Rice: A bland, easily tolerated carbohydrate that can help firm up stools.
- Applesauce: Provides easily digestible carbohydrates and pectin, which can help with diarrhea.
- Toast: Another bland food that’s easy on the stomach.
- Clear broths: Help replace fluids and electrolytes while being easy to digest.
How should you approach eating after a bout of vomiting?
- Start with clear liquids in small amounts.
- Gradually introduce bland, easily digestible foods.
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals rather than large ones.
- Avoid fatty, spicy, or heavily seasoned foods initially.
- Stay hydrated by sipping water or electrolyte solutions between meals.
Foods to Avoid During and After Vomiting Episodes
Which foods should you steer clear of when dealing with nausea and vomiting?
- Dairy products: Can be hard to digest and may worsen symptoms.
- Caffeine: Can irritate the stomach and increase dehydration.
- Alcohol: Irritates the stomach and can lead to further dehydration.
- Fatty or greasy foods: Difficult to digest and may trigger nausea.
- Spicy foods: Can irritate the digestive system.
- Acidic foods: May cause discomfort and worsen symptoms.
The Impact of Lifestyle Factors on Vomiting and Dry Heaving
Can lifestyle choices influence the occurrence of vomiting and dry heaving? Indeed, various aspects of your daily life can play a role in either triggering or preventing these unpleasant symptoms.
What lifestyle factors can contribute to nausea and vomiting?
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Lack of sleep or irregular sleep patterns
- High stress levels
- Poor dietary habits
- Lack of physical activity
How can you modify your lifestyle to reduce the risk of vomiting and dry heaving?
- Limit alcohol intake and avoid binge drinking.
- Quit smoking or reduce tobacco use.
- Establish a regular sleep schedule and aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
- Practice stress-management techniques like meditation or yoga.
- Maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Engage in regular physical activity, but avoid intense workouts if you’re prone to nausea.
- Stay hydrated throughout the day.
The Connection Between Stress and Digestive Issues
How does stress impact your digestive system? Chronic stress can lead to various gastrointestinal problems, including:
- Increased stomach acid production
- Slowed digestion
- Heightened sensitivity to stomach discomfort
- Alterations in gut bacteria balance
What strategies can help manage stress-related digestive issues?
- Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation.
- Engage in regular exercise, which can help reduce stress levels.
- Consider cognitive-behavioral therapy to develop coping strategies.
- Ensure adequate sleep, as lack of sleep can exacerbate stress.
- Maintain a balanced diet and avoid skipping meals.
Understanding the Link Between Medications and Vomiting
Can certain medications cause nausea and vomiting? Yes, various medications can trigger these symptoms as side effects. Some common culprits include:
- Antibiotics
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Opioid pain medications
- Some antidepressants
- Certain blood pressure medications
What should you do if you suspect your medication is causing nausea or vomiting?
- Don’t stop taking the medication without consulting your healthcare provider.
- Keep a log of when symptoms occur in relation to taking the medication.
- Discuss your concerns with your doctor, who may adjust the dosage or prescribe an alternative.
- Ask about taking the medication with food or at a different time of day to reduce side effects.
- Inquire about anti-nausea medications that can be taken alongside your current prescription.
Managing Nausea and Vomiting from Cancer Treatments
How common are nausea and vomiting in cancer patients undergoing treatment? These symptoms are frequent side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, affecting a significant number of patients.
What strategies can help manage treatment-related nausea and vomiting?
- Antiemetic medications prescribed by oncologists
- Eating smaller, more frequent meals
- Avoiding strong odors and triggering foods
- Staying hydrated with clear liquids
- Using relaxation techniques like guided imagery or acupressure
- Considering complementary therapies like ginger supplements or acupuncture (with doctor’s approval)
By understanding the causes, symptoms, and management strategies for vomiting and dry heaving, individuals can better navigate these unpleasant experiences. Remember, while many cases can be managed at home, persistent or severe symptoms warrant medical attention. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment options.
What Is Vomiting? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Treatment for nausea and vomiting depends on the underlying cause.
Most episodes of vomiting can be treated at home. Self-care measures you can take to treat vomiting include:
- Drink plenty of liquids to avoid dehydration.
- Adhere to a clear liquid diet to rest the stomach.
- Avoid strong odors, including food and cooking smells, perfume, and smoke, that could possibly trigger vomiting.
- When you begin eating solid food again, stick to bland foods that are easily digestible, like cereal, rice, and crackers.
- Avoid spicy and fatty foods.
If you are planning a trip and have a history of motion sickness, try over-the-counter medications to treat the condition, like dimenhydrinate and meclizine. For longer journeys like cruises, your doctor may prescribe an adhesive patch to treat motion sickness.
Vomiting associated with cancer treatments can often be treated with another type of drug therapy.
There are also prescription and nonprescription drugs that can be used to control vomiting associated with pregnancy. These include vitamin B6 supplements, doxylamine, and a combination drug of doxylamine and pyridoxine.
Consult with a doctor before using any of these treatments.
Severe dehydration caused by vomiting may require treatment with intravenous fluids. (6)
Prevention of Vomiting
A person with nausea has the sensation that vomiting may occur. Other signs that you are about to vomit include gagging, retching, choking, involuntary stomach reflexes, the mouth filling with saliva (to protect the teeth from stomach acid), and the need to move or bend over.
If you feel nauseous, resting either in a sitting position or in a propped lying position can help; activity may worsen nausea and may lead to vomiting.
Pregnant women experiencing morning sickness can eat some crackers before getting out of bed or eat a high protein snack before going to bed (like lean meat or cheese). (6)
Dry heaving: Causes, treatment, and prevention
Although it can be unpleasant, most cases of dry heaving only last for a short time and resolve with basic care.
For cases caused by excessive alcohol consumption, a person should immediately stop drinking alcohol and switch to clear fluids.
Moderate to severe cases of nausea and dry heaving, however, can cause serious dehydration and potentially damage the tissues and organs.
The most common medical treatment options for severe dry heaving are intravenous fluid (IV) fluids and anti-nausea medications (antiemetics).
If dry heaving is related to a specific condition, the underlying cause will also require specific treatment.
Common home remedies for mild to moderate cases of dry heaving include:
- Hydration. Taking very small, slow, sips of plain water can help a person rehydrate. It is often easier to start with ice chips or popsicles.
- Electrolytes. When the vomiting slows, a person should drink beverages rich in crucial hydration salts called electrolytes. These include many sports drinks and soup broths. Oral rehydration salt preparations can also be purchased premixed or prepared at home. Always start with small sips and increase the amount as tolerated.
- Relax and rest. If possible, a person can lie down with their head elevated and breathe deeply. Relaxing breaths can help minimize the symptoms of dry heaving.
- Food as tolerated. Once the vomiting has stopped, resume eating what appeals to you. Some find that plain foods such as porridge, toast, applesauce, broth, and bananas are easier to digest and reduce nausea. The key is to keep portions small.
- Ginger. Ginger supplements, chews, gums, and drinks have long been used to reduce nausea. Ginger is now an ingredient in some brand name anti-nausea medications, such as Gravol Ginger Tablets.
- Isopropyl alcohol. A 2015 study found that smelling a packaged alcohol pad from 2.5 centimeters away for up to 4 minutes may help reduce nausea.
- Plain carbohydrates. Saltines, dry toast, plain rice, and oatmeal are often relatively easy to digest.
- Antiemetics. Over-the-counter anti-nausea medications block the neurotransmitters that trigger nausea, dry heaving, and vomiting. Follow package instructions for use.
- Antacids. Over-the-counter antacids contain compounds, such as calcium carbonate, magnesium, and baking soda, that help neutralize stomach acids.
- Aromatherapy. One small study has shown that inhalation of essential oils with ginger or a combination of ginger, spearmint, peppermint, and cardamom may lessen nausea after surgery.
It is essential to treat or resolve cases of dry heaving during pregnancy
to avoid dehydration, malnutrition, weight loss, and potential harm to the woman and baby.
The first line of treatment for dry heaving with pregnancy is typically hydration, eating a more balanced diet, and taking supplements.
Lifestyle changes, such as eating smaller meals spread evenly throughout the day may also help reduce symptoms.
Eating a high-protein snack before bed, or a few dry saltines first thing in the morning may reduce nausea and dry heaving during pregnancy.
For more severe cases, a doctor may also prescribe anti-nausea medications and vitamins. These can include:
- pyridoxine(vitamin B6)
- thiamine(vitamin B1)
- antihistamines
- dopamine or serotonin blockers
Though less supported by scientific study, several natural treatment options have been proposed and occasionally used to treat nausea, especially during pregnancy.
Alternative therapeutic options for nausea include:
- acupuncture
- acustimulation, which uses mild electrical currents
- acupressure or acupressure bracelets
Share on PinterestOver-exertion, such as exercising intensively without warming up properly, may cause dry heaving.
Dry heaving generally serves to prepare the body for vomiting by helping reverse the movement of contents in the stomach and food pipe (esophagus).
Dry heaving may also occur when the brain continues to send the signal to clear the stomach even though it is already empty.
Dry heaving involves the contraction of the abdominal walls and diaphragm, which allows the lungs to expand while the stomach and esophagus relax. This forces the contents of the stomach and esophagus upward.
When there is nothing left in the stomach to throw up, the body may continue to undergo the physical motions of vomiting but cannot expel anything except occasional mucous or clear fluid. This is dry heaving.
In some cases, dry heaving can also be triggered when there is no actual reason to empty the stomach, such as in response to a smell or a sight.
Dry heaving is often caused by a combination of factors. Vomiting and nausea often accompany dry heaving, so they share many of the same risk factors.
But there are medical conditions, medications, and certain situations that can specifically increase the risk of dry heaving.
Common situations associated with dry heaving include:
- excessive alcohol consumption
- dehydration
- low blood sugar
- intense exercise, especially after skipping a warm-up period or attempting exercise well beyond one’s normal level
- anxiety and stress
- motion sickness
- overeating
Other conditions known to cause dry heaving include:
Pregnancy
Pregnancy commonly causes nausea, vomiting, and may lead to dry heaving. Nausea is typically most severe during the early stages of pregnancy and is especially common early in the morning when the stomach is empty, but it can occur anytime throughout the day.
A 2016 study surveying more than 5,000 women during early pregnancy found that 33. 6 percent reported daily nausea and 9.6 percent experienced vomiting daily.
Researchers are not exactly sure why pregnancy causes nausea, but it is likely due to a combination of immune, hormone, and anatomical changes.
Gastrointestinal conditions
Conditions that interfere with digestion, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastritis, Crohn’s disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are common causes of nausea and dry heaving.
Dry heaving may be especially common during flare-ups when symptoms are more severe.
Acid reflux
Indigestion can cause stomach acids to travel back up the food pipe, which may be uncomfortable or painful. This sensation can also cause nausea.
Infection
Regardless of the location in the body, severe infection may cause the immune system to initiate nausea and vomiting in response to the problem.
The physical presence of parasites tends to cause the intestines and stomach to feel either very full or very empty, triggering unnecessary retching.
Food allergies or poisoning
Food allergens or toxins can cause intense, sudden vomiting and a complete emptying of the stomach contents and bowels.
This severe response often continues for some time after the allergen has been cleared from the stomach, resulting in dry heaving.
Liver, kidney, or pancreas disorders
Nausea and a loss of appetite are some of the most common early warning signs of chronic disease and liver, kidney, and pancreas disorders.
Migraine headaches
Migraine headaches are a well-known cause of nausea, vomiting, and dry heaving. This is often in response to severe pain, disorientation, and light-sensitivity.
Cyclic vomiting syndrome
An estimated 80 percent of children and 25 percent of adults with cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) also have migraine headaches.
The condition is characterized by seemingly random, sudden spells of intense vomiting, nausea, and physical exhaustion that occur every few weeks to months.
Medications
Share on PinterestCertain medications may cause dry heaving as a side effect, including antidepressants.
Some medications known to cause dry heaving include:
Inner ear conditions
Infection, inflammation, or pain in the inner ear can cause vertigo, motion sickness, and nausea.
Severe pain or shock
The body may respond to severe pain or shock by causing nausea and often dry heaving.
Intracranial conditions
Any injury or brain condition, such as trauma, bleeding, a tumor, or viral infection, can increase pressure in the brain and cause nausea and dry heaving.
The Important Difference Between Choking , Gagging & Coughing in Babies — Oh Baby Nutrition
When starting solids with your baby, choking and gagging are always the biggest concern. Choking is probably the number one reason why parents don’t give baby-led weaning a chance and decide against introducing finger foods from the start. This is an incredibly important topic and I wanted to cover everything you need to know so you can keep baby safe and have more confidence with solids.
Staying calm & confident at mealtime
You want to cultivate a pleasant experience for your baby at mealtime so they develop a healthy relationship with food. You and your baby are very connected, so your baby will be able to sense if mealtime is not a relaxed experience for you. Whether you decide to introduce finger foods right from the start, or after a few months of purees, knowing and understanding the components of safe eating is crucial so that you’re able to stay calm and confident while starting solids with your baby.
The difference between choking, gagging & coughing
Choking is silent
Choking is completely silent and happens when something is completely blocking the airway. I’ve actually never heard of a baby choking with baby-led weaning when the parents and caregivers are well educated on the safety of food size, shape and texture.
Gagging & coughing can actually be beneficial
Gagging and coughing, on the other hand, can be very noisy and quite dramatic. Babies might gag and cough often when starting finger foods because the gag reflex in younger babies mouths is quite far forward and moves back as they age. This serves as a safety mechanism against choking while they’re learning to eat and helps them eject anything quickly if they need to. A baby’s gag reflex begins moving further back around 6-8m, and should be completely back to where an adults would be around 12m.
Babies also have more taste buds further back in their mouths, which move forward as they age, because that’s where milk get delivered by breast or bottle, exclusively the first half year of their lives.
Gagging can be scary, but it’s safe
Gagging can be quite scary for parents to witness because it can be so dramatic, but it’s actually a very common occurrence and is part of a baby’s learning process. Gagging helps babies begin to understand the size and shape that food must be so that they can safely swallow.
Safe eating
Baby should always be sitting upright and have complete control of all food that goes in and out of their mouth. It’s advised not to try to take any food out of your baby’s mouth when they’re gagging. Instead, it’s best to let your baby’s natural gag reflex push the food out. The same applies if they eat a piece of food that you feel is too big for them, or if they put too much food in their mouth at once. This is because if you put a finger in their mouth to try and help them get the food out, you could potentially push the food further back past their gag reflex, increasing the potential risk of choking. This is why it’s crucial to only offer baby safe foods.
READ: Baby’s First Finger Foods: Size, Shape, Texture & Flavor
Vomiting while eating
Some babies may vomit when learning to eat and this could happen for a few reasons. If baby is gagging quite strongly, vomiting is the next natural reflex which helps them completely clear food from their passageway. Vomiting acts as a safety mechanism and is a very beneficial reflex.
It can be quite concerning to see baby throw up because when adults throw up, it’s associated with being nauseous or feeling sick. Although if you’ve seen a baby throw up while eating, you’ve probably noticed that they are generally unfazed by it. You’ll witness them throw up in one breath, then turn around and continue eating in the next breath, as if nothing ever happened.
Why I don’t suggest chunky purees
Babies are often fed smooth runny purees first, and then introduced to chunky purees before moving on to finger foods. However chunky purées may not be necessary and could potentially delay the developmental benefits of self-feeding.
Babies suck purees off of a spoon without being chewed, in the same way they suck breast milk. So a chunky puree could potentially trigger a baby’s gag reflex, making it more likely that they’ll gag or possibly even vomit.
Parents are then led to believe that baby must not be ready for finger foods yet because they can’t even consume chunky purées without gagging. But the truth is, chunky purees are more likely to make baby gag than safe finger foods would be, it’s just the chunky purees that are problematic in the early stages. For babies with a sensitive gag reflex, it may be best to wait to offer purees with a chunkier consistency until after baby is comfortable with finger foods and can successfully manipulate food in their mouth.
Babies storing food in cheeks
One last point I’ll make is about ‘squirreling’. I think I’ve made this term up as I haven’t heard anyone else reference it, but it’s when babies store food inside their cheeks after eating.
Squirreling can happen for a few reasons, but one of the most common reasons is if food is too tough or fibrous. Babies will sometimes store food in their cheeks to soften it, but you may not know they still have food in their mouth.
If you lie them down for a diaper change after a meal, the food from the side of their mouth may make its way further back in their mouth, which could cause coughing, gagging and possibly vomiting or choking. So after a feed, just give baby’s cheeks a little squeeze to see if they’re storing any food in there.
In review
Coughing and gagging are normal and safe – but choking, which is silent, is not.
And it’s important you know the difference.
To gain more confidence
CPR COURSE: You may gain confidence from taking an infant CPR course, although choking is completely unlikely if feeding baby safe foods. However, the knowledge gained through a CPR course would be beneficial if baby was to pick something up off the floor that could potentially block their airway.
BABY KNOWS BEST: Discover more about proper food preparation to ensure you’re offering your baby the safest foods possible. Baby Knows Best features video of babies coughing, gagging and even vomiting while eating, to help you gain confidence and easily recognize what’s considered safe.
Vomiting and Retching – Feeding Tube Awareness Foundation
Illness
If vomiting only occurs occasionally, it may be due to illness. Young children get sick as frequently as once a month, and children who need feeding tubes are often more prone to vomiting during respiratory illnesses. Motility (meaning how food moves through the GI tract) slows down with illness, which can lead to increased vomiting even as a child is starting to get sick. It can remain slow for a week to 10 days (or more) after the illness has cleared, if the illness was significant. Coughs and congestion may also cause young children to vomit. For detailed information on handling illnesses, see our page on Illness.
Reflux Versus Vomiting
Often, vomit gets blamed on reflux or GERD. But, when you see a lot of vomit, it is likely that it is more than reflux going on. It is also important to try to determine if a child is actually refluxing (passive regurgitation of stomach contents) or vomiting. Air in the stomach needs to be expelled in the form of a belch, and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that serves as the gate between the esophagus and stomach must open up to allow air out. In some people, this sphincter opens too far, stays open too long, or opens too frequently, allowing stomach contents to be refluxed repeatedly and causing symptoms such as spitting up in babies or heartburn in older children and adults. While children with reflux do vomit occasionally, chronic and forceful vomiting, especially when accompanied by symptoms like paleness, sweating, salivation, or retching, is probably more than straightforward reflux.
While reflux is thought to be related to the belch reflex, in which stomach contents are expelled as if the body was going to belch, vomiting is triggered by the “vomiting center” of the brain, setting off a series of events involving muscles and nerves. Salivation in the mouth, narrowing of blood vessels, a fast heartrate, and paleness or sweating may occur. Then the muscles in the abdomen and diaphragm contract while the glottis (area where the vocal cords are) closes, creating retching. Finally, pressure inside the abdomen forces the contents of the stomach out through the mouth. Clearly, this is a much more complicated process than simple reflux, involving multiple body systems.
To complicate matters, reflux can sometimes trigger the gag reflex, which sets off vomiting. Children with neurological disorders may be extra sensitive, and may vomit as a result of gut hypersensitivity, an overactive gag reflex, an extra sensitive emetic or vomiting reflex in the brain, or motility problems in the gut.
For more information on the types of kids who tend to vomit, see Solutions for Vomiting and Solutions for Retching from Complex Child for suggested treatments for various causes.
Medical Conditions
Does your child have a condition that is linked with vomiting? Has she been tested for these conditions? Has his anatomy been checked for any abnormalities such as pyloric stenosis or a fistula? A lot of things mimic reflux or cause vomiting. Here are some of the chronic conditions that can cause repeated vomiting:
- Motility Disorders, especially Esophageal Motility Disorders, Delayed Gastric Emptying or Gastroparesis, and Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction
- Anatomical or Structural Problems
- Food Allergies and Intolerances
- Autonomic Nervous System Issues or Dysautonomia
- Celiac Disease
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Mastocytosis
- Eosinophilic Esophagitisand other Eosinophilic Disorders
- Endocrine Disorders
- Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
- Abdominal Migraines
- Functional Abdominal Disorders, such as Visceral Hyperalgesia, Dyspepsia, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Abdominal Epilepsy
- Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
- Brain Tumor
- Medications
Constipation
Constipation is one of the most common causes of vomiting in young children. Constipation backs up the whole GI tract, so that food that is coming in moves more slowly. It can cause the stomach to empty more slowly, and can lead to additional vomiting. Addressing constipation can improve feed tolerance considerably. See our page on Constipation for more information.
How To Stop Yourself From Throwing Up When You Are Nauseous: Best Solutions For Nausea And Stomach Pain 2021
Everyone has experienced it at least once in their lives: you suddenly feel nauseous and ready to vomit. Sometimes, there is an obvious reason such as food poisoning or the flu, but people can often feel nauseous from stress, anxiety, a bad smell, or seeing someone else vomit. When nausea is caused by a psychological trigger, it can be difficult to diagnose. However, if you are continuously having episodes of nausea or vomiting when you feel stressed or anxious, it may be a mental health issue.
Source: rawpixel.com
Some of the reasons for nausea and vomiting include:
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Some types of stomach bugs such as the flu or food poisoning.
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Pregnancy can cause nausea and vomiting in the first few months.
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Stress or anxiety can cause nausea in many people.
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Seeing someone else vomit can trigger the same response.
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Gag reflexes to food textures that you can’t stomach.
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Psychogenic vomiting is a psychological condition that is caused by either conversion disorder or major depression.
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Conversion disorder is a psychological disorder caused by neurological symptoms during stress and may include other physical manifestations such as paralysis of a limb, deafness, blindness, and even seizures.
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Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is repeated attacks of vomiting and nausea that may last for weeks, years, or even decades. The cause of CVS is unknown.
How to Stop Yourself from Throwing Up When You are Nauseous
If you feel like you are about to get sick, especially when you are in a public place, you want to do anything possible to stop it from happening. But, often times the more you think about the fact that you feel sick the sicker you begin to feel. Sometimes people even work themselves up so much that they end up making themselves get sick when they might not have if they just stopped thinking about it.
The good news is there are many interesting (and even strange) ways to stop yourself from throwing up. Some of the most common include:
Source: rawpixel.com
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Getting some fresh air. This is one way to control the urge to vomit. Take a walk outside or just open a window. This can be helpful if you are driving in a car and feel sick as well. The sudden cold on your skin can cause the nauseous feelings to subside.
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Eat some crackers. According to many medical studies, dry crackers, toast, or rice can settle your stomach.
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Ginger ale is another famous remedy for nausea that really works because of the ginger that is in the soda. Many people prefer to mix the carbonation out of the soda before drinking it. You could also try chewing raw ginger.
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Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing can help. When you focus on your breathing you are removing your mind from the fact that you feel sick and giving it something else to think about. When you get nervous about throwing up it also can cause your heart rate to increase and you to start taking shallow quick breathes. When you focus on your breathing you help to settle and regain control of your body.
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Pinch yourself or bite your lip, or do some other activity that distracts you from thinking about your nausea by causing you to focus on something else.
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Run cool water on your wrists and the back of your neck. If you feel like your temperature is rising as you start to feel sick this can help to cool you down and distract your mind from the fact that you feel nauseous.
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Inhale some alcohol Nasal inhalation of isopropyl alcohol was proven to stop vomiting twice as much as a placebo. While it might seem that the strong smell of the isopropyl would cause you to actually get sick the positive results of this study make it worth a try.
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Humming works by stopping the gagging reflex.
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Acupuncture is also a proven deterrent to vomiting. Press on the insides of your wrists or you can try motion sickness bands, which do the same thing.
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Chew some mint gum. Mint is known for helping to settle an upset stomach. Chewing gum also gives you something to do with your mouth which when mixed with the mint of the gum can distract your mind, your mouth, and settle your stomach. If you have peppermint tea you can also try drinking that, smelling peppermint essential oils, or sucking on a candy cane or breath mint.
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Turn on the television. A lot of times when we feel sick it can be hard to focus on something like reading a book. However, laying on the couch or sitting back in a chair, closing your eyes, and listening to a television show can be just the thing that you need to distract you.
Source: nellis.af.mil
Determining the cause of it
One way to find out if your nausea is physical is to see your doctor. However, if there is no concrete physical connection you can talk to a mental health professional to find out what they think. There are many different reasons that a mental health challenge could be causing you to feel like you are going to be sick.
People that are dealing with high levels of anxiety can suffer from feeling nauseous. As your mind races with all the things that you have to worry about it can make your stomach feel like it’s in knots. You can also have this feeling when experiencing symptoms of other anxiety disorders, panic disorder, and depressive disorders among others. Many times your ability to eat is thrown off along with your digestive system.
Find Some Help
You can talk to someone online so you do not have to wait for an appointment. After all, nobody wants to go out when they are nauseous, right? And, even if you are not nauseous at the moment the fear that it will return can cause you to feel a lot of anxiety and panic when you are in a public place. There are licensed professionals online that you can talk to that may be able to help you sort out your problems right away. In addition, if you prefer, they can find a professional in your area that will see you. Either way, it is good to talk to someone that is experienced in this type of issue.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About How To Stop Throwing Up When You’re Nauseous
Is there a way to not throw up?
If you’re feeling sick, you can prevent throwing up by not eating foods that make you want to throw up. You can also try eating foods that are cool and cold.
If you feel like you’re about to get sick, try propping your body upwards and keep your head above the rest of your body. If you are propped up, usually, it can help keep the queasy feeling from bothering you.
You can also avoid vomiting by not moving around too much. Physical activity tends to make this worse. If your stomach is upset after eating certain foods, don’t do much for a bit, and try to have drinks with sugar in them to calm the stomach, but try to avoid acidic drinks. Gatorade and ginger ale are usually the best, but fluids to avoid are anything that has acid in it since it can irritate the stomach lining to make it worse.
Sweet treats can also help prevent vomiting since they can help to settle the stomach naturally.
If you’ve been dealing with vomiting for several days or are trying to get over a stomach bug, and are struggling to calm the stomach, you may want to try eating bland foots such as the BRAT diet. This includes Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. You may also find that something like mashed potatoes is easy on your stomach.
There are also some medications that can help, such as Pepto Bismol. If you continue to struggle with your stomach, find a doctor. You may even want to call the doctor the discuss medications with your doctor before taking anything. While you may be able to find helpful information about health topics on websites like familydoctor.org, it’s not a replacement for talking with your actual physician.
How do you know if you are going to throw up?
Usually, if your stomach is upset, that’s a sign you’re going to throw up. But, abdominal pain, lightheadedness, a rapid pulse, dry mouth, sweating, and you’ll notice you’re producing a lot more saliva. Usually, a churning stomach is the most obvious sign, but if you notice that you feel like you’re about to retch, or maybe your body is trying to force something up, that’s usually a sign that you’re going to throw up.
Can you throw up if you don’t have a gag reflex?
You can, but it takes a little bit of practice. It’s a bit different from normal people. If they need to throw up, usually three fingers against the gag reflex will trigger this, but for the most part, you will need to push your face forward so that you can press the food upwards.
WebMD does not provide much on this, but it’s recommended that you don’t try to throw up if you don’t have a gag reflex unless, of course, you’re in serious pain, and you need help throwing the food back up. Instead of trying to jump to action on your own, it might be best to call the doctor first. They can talk to you about your symptoms: nausea, vomiting, fever, or pain. There may be a more serious cause of why you’re feeling ill and it will be best to find a doctor that can help.
Why do I feel like puking?
Sometimes you feel like puking because you ate something that didn’t agree with your stomach or it was hard to digest. Or, it could be that you were acting too fast after eating, can also be a trigger for this, especially if you overfill the stomach, and it doesn’t have enough time to process the food and digest it. This can also happen if you reduce the size of your stomach, whether naturally through eating less or via gastric surgery.
Another reason is that sometimes the smell of foods may trigger this. Unpleasant memories or other associations might happen.
You also may feel like puking due to food poisoning. This is a common problem many people face, especially if they eat uncooked, questionable food.
Finally, you might feel like puking because of too much physical activity. Puking is also a sign of pregnancy. Sometimes, during menstruation, the pain of your period might also trigger the urge to throw up. If you’re puking first thing in the morning, or randomly puking for no reason and you’re not sick, it’s recommended you take a pregnancy test to see what’s happening.
What is the fear of throwing up?
The fear of throwing up is called emetophobia, and it can even include subcategories that talk about the anxiety, the fear of vomiting in public, the fear of seeing vomit, or even the fear of watching someone throw up. It also can include the fear of feeling nauseous. When someone has a fear of throwing up, it can cause them to avoid foods or activities that they believe could lead to vomiting. It can also cause the person a lot of anxiety. If you struggle with a fear of throwing up or trouble with your stomach, feel free to reach out to a therapist along with your doctor to explore what the cause could be and best strategies for overcoming it.
Is it okay to make yourself throw up?
There are certain instances where this is okay. If you swallowed something poisonous and you need to throw it up, your body will do it automatically. If you ate some bad food that made you feel sick and terrible, sometimes it’s okay to throw up. If you took too much of a medication, it’s sometimes better to throw it up than to keep it down, which might put your life in danger. If it’s an order from the doctor or from the poison control center, it can be used.
But, if you’re forcing yourself to throw up because you eat too much, or if you’re struggling with an eating disorder, it isn’t okay to throw up. You should contact the doctor, and also a licensed therapist to get help whenever you feel like throwing up, or you want to make yourself throw up due to an eating disorder.
What to do if you feel like vomiting?
First and foremost, if you’re doing rigorous physical activity, try to stop doing it, and lay down with your head above your feed. Drink some drinks that are ice cold and clear.
You should try to eat foods that are light and bland. Bread and saltines are your best friends. Try to avoid any greasy, fried, or sweet foods, since it can make this worse. You should try to avoid too many hot beverages.
Don’t mix foods that are hot and cold, and also, try to eat only a little bit. Wait for the feeling to go away. It might take a little bit, but if you feel sick, you relax and let it naturally go away.
If it’s really bad, try to avoid pushing your stomach together, but instead sit upright and try to meditate and take deep breaths. Ideally, if you can get your mind off the feeling of throwing up, it’ll help you a whole lot.
Can you train your gag reflex away?
You can gradually do this by getting the soft palate used to being touched. That’s the area you touch in order to induce vomiting. One way to do it is to use a toothbrush against your tongue. You can slowly move to where it gags, and from there, you can lightly press there. It takes a lot of time, but it is possible to reduce it slowly.
This is something that should be considered if you’re someone who tends to gag a lot or throw up a lot, or various touches make you sensitive. If it hampers you from swallowing medicine or even getting dental work, you may want to work on slowly reducing the presence of your gag reflex.
Stopping your body from throwing up isn’t easy, but working to prevent it from happening will make you feel better, and can help settle your stomach after eating something that disagreed with it.
How do you know if you’re going to throw up?
There’s no single answer to this question. If you’re feeling nauseous, you may throw up and you might not. If you feel nauseated, that’s the first clue that you might throw up. If you’re gagging, retching, or feel like your stomach is tightening, those are stronger signs that could lead to vomiting. Also, you may feel like you need to bend over or get up from sitting or lying down. You may also start to salivate which is your body’s way of protecting your teeth from the stomach acids that come up when you have nausea and vomiting.
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend over-the-counter drugs, supplements, or other things you can do to help the nausea subside. Antacid tablets are often helpful in reducing stomach upset. Dimenhydrinate and meclizine are good solutions for motion sickness. You could also try taking vitamin B6 as a supplement to reduce nausea. Certain foods like ginger, peppermint, and lemon may also help to relieve mild symptoms of nausea.
Should I throw up if I feel like I’m going to vomit?
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of something else that’s going on in your body. The sensation you feel when you’re nauseous can make you feel terrible. It’s common to think that if you throw up it will relieve nausea. That may or may not be true depending on the cause of your nausea and vomiting. Vomiting isn’t a conscious choice, rather, it’s a bodily reaction to something else that’s going on. If you’re nauseous, your stomach may empty the contents of your stomach whether you want it to or not. You may experience temporary relief from your symptoms after you vomit, and you may not feel well again until sometime later but throwing up in and of itself doesn’t worsen nausea.
Does throwing up make you lose weight?
Throwing up may make you lose weight, but unless there is some underlying problem, you will regain the lost pounds once the nausea and vomiting subside and you begin eating again. If you pay attention to health news, you know that if someone is experiencing weight loss and there is no reasonable or medical reason for the related nausea, the person could be suffering from an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. These are medical conditions that can have serious side effects such as shortness of breath, lethargy, or even a heart attack.
Why am I afraid of throwing up?
The medical term for the fear of throwing up is emetophobia, which isn’t a disorder. It’s just the medical term that describes your fear about it. The reality is that throwing up is highly unpleasant. It makes you feel bad. It hurts your stomach. It tires you out and it smells bad. Under certain circumstances, it can also be extremely embarrassing. It’s common to be afraid of throwing up because you don’t want to have to experience all those terrible symptoms. On a positive note, once you throw up, it’s over.
What happens when you throw up every day?
It’s not normal to have nausea and vomiting every day. If you chronically feel sick to your stomach, it’s crucial to seek medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The American Academy of Family Physicians states that daily symptoms of nausea and vomiting may be due to infections, inflammation, or illness. You should always talk to your doctor if you’re having nausea and vomiting daily or discover something that will always worsen nausea.
If you’re throwing up every day, you should also review your diet for causes of related nausea. Certain foods can worsen nausea. If you’re over-indulgent with fried foods, ultra-sweet foods, spicy foods, foods with strong odors or you drink lots of alcohol or caffeine, it can certainly make nausea worse. Stay away from foods and drinks that make you feel worse. At the same time, certain foods can work to help reduce nausea. Apples, crackers, nuts, chicken broth sports drinks, bananas, and mint all work to help settle an angry stomach.
Doctors and nutritionists often recommend eating a small amount of ginger root as a natural anti-nausea remedy. Ginger root and ginger tea are common remedies to help quiet an upset stomach. Add a little mint to your ginger tea and get twice the benefit.
Once you feel like eating again, it’s wise to take things slowly. Start by eating small amounts of food and only eat small meals until your system can readjust itself. Stay away from foods that are hard to digest like dairy products, fried foods, acidic foods, and foods that are highly processed. If you’ve had a bad bout of vomiting and you’re ready to start eating again, it’s best to eat some protein to get your energy back to normal. Many types of meats are fibrous which makes them difficult to digest, so stick with lean meat or cheese until you feel up to eating a greater variety of foods.
Mayo Clinic advises taking over-the-counter drugs, supplements, or other natural remedies for people that suffer from nausea related to motion sickness. If you’re taking a trip, it’s also wise to get out into the fresh air as often as possible. If you’re prone to motion sickness and you’re taking a long trip such as a cruise, it might be wise to be proactive and check with your doctor about drugs, supplements, or motion sickness patches that contain scopolamine for reducing nausea.
Is it bad to drink water after you throw up?
Actually, it’s a good idea to drink water after you throw up. Long bouts of throwing up can harm you in a couple of different ways. First, several days or longer of vomiting can cause dehydration. Take small sips of cold water as often as you can. Drinking Pedialyte is also a way to prevent dehydration.
The second reason for drinking water after you throw up is that it helps to clear away harmful stomach acids that can wear away at your tooth enamel.
Is it okay to make yourself throw up if you feel sick?
In most cases, you shouldn’t make yourself throw up if you’re feeling sick. If you’re experiencing nausea due to pregnancy-related nausea, it’s normal. You just have to let it run its course.
If your nausea is related to something you ate, it’s best to let your body determine if it needs to empty the contents of your stomach. Nauseous feelings will eventually subside and there’s no reason to put your body through unnecessary trauma.
If the feelings of nausea persist, talk to your doctor to see if you’re a candidate for anti-nausea drugs, supplements, or over-the-counter remedies.
Should I brush my teeth after I vomit?
Yes, it’s always a good idea to brush your teeth after you vomit, even if you only vomit one time. When you vomit, it leaves harmful acids on your teeth that can erode your tooth enamel away. Toothpaste and the act of brushing will help to wash away the stomach acids that could be coating your teeth and protect them. Brushing is especially important if you’re experiencing long bouts of nausea and vomiting.
Therapy Is Personal
Therapy is a personal experience, and not everyone will go into it seeking the same things. Keeping these things in mind can ensure that you will get the most out of online therapy, regardless of what your specific goals are. If you’re still wondering if therapy is right for you, and how much therapy costs, please contact us at [email protected]. BetterHelp specializes in online therapy to help address all types of mental health concerns. If you’re interested in individual therapy, please reach out to [email protected]. For more information about BetterHelp as a company, please find us on:
If you need a crisis hotline or want to learn more about therapy, please see below:
For more information on mental health, please see:
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SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) SAMHSA Facebook, SAMHSA Twitter
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Mental Health America, MHA Twitter, MHA Facebook, MHA Instagram, MHA Pinterest
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WebMD, WebMD Facebook, WebMD Twitter, WebMD Pinterest
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NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health), NIMH Facebook, NIMH Twitter, NIMH YouTube
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APA (American Psychiatric Association), APA Twitter, APA Facebook, APA LinkedIN, APA Instagram
Get Help Now
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Emergency: 911
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National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1- 800-799-7233
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
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National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
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Crisis Text Line: Text “DESERVE” TO 741-741
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Lifeline Crisis Chat (Online live messaging): https://suicidepreventionlifeline. org/chat/
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Self-Harm Hotline: 1-800-DONT CUT (366-8288)
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Family Violence Helpline: 1-800-996-6228
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Planned Parenthood Hotline: 1-800-230-PLAN (7526)
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American Association of Poison Control Centers: 1-800-222-1222
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National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency Hope Line: 1-800-622-2255
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National Crisis Line – Anorexia and Bulimia: 1-800-233-4357
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LGBTQ+ Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
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TREVOR Crisis Hotline: 1-866-488-7386
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AIDS Crisis Line: 1-800-221-7044
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TransLifeline: https://www.translifeline.org – 877-565-8860 APA Youtube
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Suicide Prevention Wiki: http://suicideprevention.wikia.com
Further Reading
How to Deal With Frequent Vomiting in Toddlers
Is your child frequently throwing up several times a week but does not appear to be feeling ill otherwise? Surprisingly, this is a common occurrence in younger children. Some toddlers vomit when having a tantrum or just crying. Others vomit when they have too much food in their mouth. And some vomit for no known reason at all.
Possible Causes
Here are some other possible causes for vomiting in young children:
- Sensitive gag reflex: Your child may have a sensitive gag reflex.
- Food allergy or intolerance: A food allergy or intolerance might be another cause, especially if you can link the vomiting to a specific thing that your child is eating.
- Delayed gastric emptying: Foods move more slowly through the stomachs of children with delayed gastric emptying. That means that the things that they eat and drink stay in their stomach longer and explains why they may vomit the previous night’s dinner the next morning. This condition is sometimes treated with the medication Reglan, although many parents report that their children have side effects when taking it. Another option is a low dose of the antibiotic erythromycin, which can increase the rate of gastric emptying in children.
Diagnosis
If you are concerned about your child’s vomiting, it is good to discuss it with your child’s pediatrician.
Warning signs that the vomiting needs further diagnosis are if your child isn’t gaining weight well or is losing weight, is eating less or choking when eating, is often fussy, isn’t developing normally, or if symptoms begin occurring more often.
Keep a Symptom Diary
This is a paper or digital log in which you record the date and time that your child vomits, what they were doing just before it happened (like eating or crying), what they last had to eat and drink, and the date and time of their last feeding.
Ask About Testing
Ask your child’s pediatrician if it’s a good idea for some further testing to be done, like an upper-GI series barium X-ray. During this type of exam, the child swallows a liquid that contains barium, which spreads onto the walls of the esophagus and stomach. This coating then shows up on an X-ray and enables a doctor to look for any abnormalities, like strictures, ulcers, hiatal hernias, erosions, or tumors.
Get a Second Opinion
If you are not comfortable with what your kid’s pediatrician is saying, you might consider getting a second opinion from a pediatric gastroenterologist. This is especially important if the warning signs are worsening.
Why is my dog heaving?
Any disease that results in vomiting can cause dry heaves if the patient’s stomach is empty, but some disorders that only rarely cause vomiting are known to frequently cause gagging, retching, and heaving.
Foreign Object in the Throat
Foreign objects that get caught in the throat don’t always obstruct the entire airway and can induce gagging and dry heaving. If you suspect that your pet has an object caught in their throat, they should be taken to a veterinarian right away.
Gastric Dilation-Volvulus
This potentially fatal disorder is more commonly known by the name of bloat. This condition is caused when food and gasses are trapped in the stomach, causing it to expand. Eventually, this expansion will lead to the rotation of the stomach which cuts off the blood supply to the organ. Canines that are suffering from bloat may also have a tender or bloated abdomen, increased heart rate and may have difficulty moving or standing.
Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is a contagious upper respiratory illness that is characterized by a dry, hacking cough and nasal discharge. In moderate to severe cases, dry heaving is a frequent sign of the infection. Dogs with kennel cough should be quarantined from other canines to prevent the spread of this disease.
Tonsillitis or Pharyngitis
Tonsillitis is the swelling of the tonsils, located far back in the throat. When these glands get swollen, they can interfere with the dogs breathing as well as triggering the gag reflex, leading to dry heaves.
Tumor Partially Obstructing the Throat
Any tumor that is located the throat area may have the effect of interfering with both breathing and diet. Growths in this area of the body may need to be removed before the dry heaving behavior can be eliminated.
90,000 Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting
Nausea is a painful sensation in the stomach and throat, which may be accompanied by weakness, increased salivation, sweating, and often precedes vomiting.
Vomiting is a sudden involuntary emptying of the stomach.
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of many diseases and conditions, from pregnancy to serious pathologies such as brain tumors, epilepsy and myocardial infarction.
In most cases, nausea and vomiting do not pose a danger to the body. However, prolonged vomiting, often in combination with diarrhea, can lead to severe dehydration and, as a result, to disruption of the cardiovascular system, brain, kidneys and other organs. This is especially true for young children who cannot control their own dehydration. Pregnant women may experience so-called excessive vomiting of pregnancy, which disrupts the balance of electrolytes in the blood and threatens the life of the mother and fetus.
There are medications that can reduce nausea. However, in any case, it is necessary to find out its cause.
English synonyms
Nausea, emesis, vomiting, vomitus, distaste, sickness, retching, bdelygmia.
Symptoms
The duration of nausea and vomiting, the time of their occurrence, the effect of food intake on them depend on their underlying cause. For example, nausea and / or vomiting almost immediately after eating may indicate gastritis (inflammation of the gastric mucosa), within 1-8 hours after eating – about poisoning.
With prolonged vomiting, signs of dehydration may occur:
- dry mouth;
- rare urination, decreased amount of urine, dark urine;
- in children, the fontanelle can sink – a soft area at the junction of the child’s cranial bones, which normally closes by 12-18 months of life.
90,029 thirst;
90,029 sunken eyes;
There are also a number of symptoms that are signs of dangerous, life-threatening conditions and require immediate medical attention:
- admixture of blood in vomit;
- severe headache, disorientation, impaired consciousness;
- abdominal pain;
- vomiting that lasts longer than a day (for children – if it lasts several hours, especially in combination with diarrhea and fever).
90,029 signs of dehydration;
90,029 shortness of breath;
Most often, vomiting and nausea disappear within 6-24 hours. If these symptoms recur within a week and if you suspect a possible pregnancy, you should also seek the advice of your doctor.
General information about the disease
Nausea occurs with a decrease or absence of gastric motility with simultaneous tension of the initial part of the intestine – the duodenum, which is accompanied by the throwing of part of the contents of the duodenum into the stomach.With vomiting, there is a strong contraction of the diaphragm and muscles of the anterior abdominal wall, holding of breath and a sharp release of stomach contents into the esophagus and further into the oral cavity. This may be accompanied by increased salivation, sweating, weakness, and dizziness.
Specific centers in the brain are responsible for the occurrence of nausea and vomiting, which receive information from the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, vestibular apparatus, other parts of the brain, kidneys, and also respond to the chemical composition of the blood, including toxins, drugs, metabolic products.These centers trigger and control the activity of the muscles involved in nausea and vomiting.
The reasons for nausea and vomiting may be as follows.
- Irritation of the gastric mucosa. In this case, nausea and vomiting are the body’s defensive reactions aimed at eliminating the damaging agent.
- Intestinal infections – rotavirus, salmonellosis, botulism, dysentery, etc., in addition to nausea and vomiting, are accompanied by abdominal pain and fever. The most common infection is rotavirus.It is especially common among children attending kindergartens and nurseries, and proceeds with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, which usually last 1-2 days. After the disease, immunity is formed.
- Food poisoning. In this case, vomiting occurs within a few hours after eating.
- Stomach ulcer – damage to an area of the gastric mucosa due to the action of gastric juice. May be accompanied by belching, heartburn, abdominal pain.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic disease in which there is a regular reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus with damage to the esophageal mucosa with acidic gastric juice.
- Irritation of the stomach by other substances: alcohol, nicotine, aspirin.
- Effects on the central nervous system and vestibular apparatus. In this case, nausea and vomiting are caused by irritation of certain centers of the brain.
- An increase in intracranial pressure in brain injuries, tumors, infections (meningitis, encephalitis) may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
- Stimulation of the vestibular apparatus. Includes labyrinthitis (inflammation of the inner ear), motion sickness in transport and other diseases and conditions in which excessive irritation of the organ of balance occurs.
- Headache, in particular with migraine. Migraine is a neurological disorder accompanied by severe headache, often on one side, which can be aggravated by bright light or loud sounds and be associated with nausea and vomiting.
- Sunstroke. A condition that occurs with prolonged exposure to sunlight on the head. Common in children. May be accompanied by lethargy, weakness, nausea, vomiting, pallor, disorientation, loss of consciousness.
- Diseases of other organs – diabetes mellitus, urolithiasis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, some malignant neoplasms, mental illness (depression, anorexia, bulimia) and other diseases.
- Medicines used for the treatment of cancer, radiation therapy.
- Pregnancy (first trimester).
- In children under one year old, vomiting can be a sign of pyloric stenosis, intestinal intussusception, and often accompanies viral diseases (influenza, ARVI).Pyloric stenosis is a narrowing or complete obstruction of the opening between the stomach and duodenum. Intestinal intussusception is a condition in which a piece of intestine is inserted into the lumen of a nearby section of the intestine, which leads to the development of intestinal obstruction.
In adults, the most common causes of vomiting and nausea are intestinal infections, food poisoning, motion sickness in transport, in children – intestinal infections, food poisoning, overeating, as well as severe cough and any illness with severe fever.
Who is at risk?
- Preschoolers.
- Pregnant.
- Undergoing a course of anticancer therapy.
- People with chronic diseases of the digestive system.
- People with mental illness.
Diagnostics
When determining the cause of nausea and vomiting, their duration, the time of their occurrence, the presence of signs of other diseases and conditions matter.Laboratory and instrumental studies are also important.
Laboratory diagnostics
- Complete blood count. An increase in white blood cell counts may indicate the presence of infection as a possible cause of nausea and vomiting. An increase in the number of red blood cells indicates a thickening of the blood due to dehydration.
- ESR. Sedimentation rate of erythrocytes. Normally, red blood cells repel each other. With inflammation, the protein composition of the blood changes, electrolytes stick together more easily, and the rate of their sedimentation increases.Thus, an increase in ESR may indicate infection or chronic inflammation as a possible cause of nausea and vomiting.
- Blood electrolytes
- Serum potassium and sodium. Participate in the transmission of nerve impulses, muscle contraction, maintenance of the acid-base balance of the blood. Decreased serum potassium and sodium levels may indicate blood clotting and dehydration. Sodium levels can increase with kidney disease, adrenal gland disorders.
- Serum calcium. Calcium is involved in the formation of bone tissue, nerve impulse conduction, and the work of certain enzymes. A change in its level is a sign of diseases of the kidneys, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, and some neoplasms.
- Serum glucose. Glucose is the body’s main source of energy. An increase in its concentration is characteristic of diabetes mellitus. A significant increase in its level may indicate diabetic ketoacidosis – a serious, life-threatening condition that forms with a lack of insulin.Without insulin, cells in the body cannot use glucose for energy. As a result, the body begins to use fats, the breakdown of which produces toxic substances – ketones. Thus, blood glucose and ketone levels rise. Diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to coma or even death if left untreated.
- Amylase total in serum. It is an enzyme that is produced in the pancreas and salivary glands. Essential for the digestion of carbohydrates.An increase in amylase levels may indicate a pathological process in the pancreas.
- Lipase. An enzyme that is produced in the pancreas and is involved in the digestion of fats. An increased concentration of lipase is the most specific sign of damage to the pancreas.
- β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) is a hormone that is produced by the membrane of the embryo and is involved in maintaining pregnancy. A beta-hCG blood test is used to diagnose pregnancy.Home pregnancy tests are also based on determining its amount in the urine, however, determining its level in the blood is more reliable and can reveal pregnancy as early as 6-8 days after fertilization.
- General urine analysis with sediment microscopy. Dark, concentrated urine is a sign of dehydration.
- Sowing feces for flora. Used when an intestinal infection is suspected.
Other research
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound), X-ray of the abdominal organs.They are used to assess the condition of internal organs and identify the cause of nausea and vomiting.
- X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the skull. It is used to diagnose injuries, diseases of the brain.
- Endoscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract. This is an examination of the digestive system using an endoscope – a special device in the form of a tube equipped with an optical system. During the endoscopy process, you can take a tissue sample of the wall of the digestive tract for subsequent microscopic examination.
- Lumbar puncture for suspected central nervous system diseases. This is taking a sample of the fluid that washes the spinal cord. It is carried out after anesthesia. For research, a needle is used, which is inserted between the second and third or third and fourth lumbar vertebrae. At this time, the patient sits or lies on his side, his back is bent as much as possible.
- Audiometry and electronystagmography. It is used to diagnose diseases of the vestibular apparatus. Audiometry is a test performed by an audiologist to determine hearing acuity.For this, a special audiometer device is used. Electronystagmography is a method of recording involuntary movements of the eyeballs during head movements, temperature changes, which provides information about the state of the vestibular apparatus.
- Electroencephalography (EEG) is a study of the electrical activity of the brain using sensors that are placed on the head. It is carried out if there is a suspicion of neurological or mental pathology. This is how the state of the brain is assessed, its response to stimuli.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the nausea and vomiting. There are also ways to help reduce these symptoms and prevent dehydration:
- Drink slowly, in small sips;
- eat in small portions, do not mix cold and hot foods, exclude fatty, spicy, sweet, fried foods;
- do not eat during a nausea attack;
- do not brush your teeth immediately after eating;
- Avoid physical activity immediately after eating.
In addition, there are antiemetic drugs, but they should only be used as directed by a doctor after the cause of the unpleasant symptoms has been identified.
Prevention
- Eat only fresh, properly processed foods.
- Correct diet, especially for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Recommended analyzes
90,000 Examination and treatment for vomiting of bile at the Clinical Hospital on Yauza, Moscow
The Clinical Hospital on Yauza will quickly and accurately identify the disease that caused vomiting of bile, and help get rid of the unpleasant symptom.The qualifications of our gastroenterologists and specialists in diagnostic departments equipped with modern equipment (endoscopy, endo ultrasound, CT and MRI, all laboratory diagnostics, etc.) guarantees the patients of our hospital an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of diseases that caused vomiting.
Vomiting is a reflex eruption of stomach contents, which is most often associated with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). In this case, vomiting of bile or with the content of bile in the vomit is most often observed.
Vomiting that occurs with pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, as a rule, is accompanied by nausea, painful sensations in the upper abdomen, it is repeated. After vomiting, an unpleasant and / or bitter taste in the mouth persists for a long time.
More rare causes of vomiting can be pathology of the vestibular apparatus, disturbances in the activity of the central nervous system – from increased intracranial pressure to injuries and brain tumors, intoxication (in case of poisoning, infections, liver and kidney diseases).
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, manifested by vomiting of bile
- Acute poisoning, infectious diseases (for example, hepatitis, salmonellosis, etc.), acute gastritis.
- Diseases of the gallbladder – cholecystitis, including calculous (with the formation of stones), helminthic lesions of the gallbladder (opisthorchiasis).
- Liver diseases.
- Diseases of the pancreas – pancreatitis.
- Diseases and situations where the normal patency of the gastrointestinal tract is impaired:
- narrowing of the stomach, most often its outlet (gatekeeper), which is possible with stomach ulcers, tumors, after surgery,
- blockage of the biliary tract (cholestasis) stone, tumors, adhesions,
- intestinal obstruction, and vomiting of bile can occur when the passage is disturbed in both the small and large intestines.
Diagnostic steps
- Consultation of a specialist – a gastroenterologist, and, if necessary, other specialists, since vomiting can be a symptom of various diseases.
- Laboratory examination, including blood tests, stomach contents, gall bladder and feces. Biochemical testing, bacterial culture and immunological tests may be required, for example, to detect hepatitis.
- Investigation of the shape, structure and function of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract.For this purpose, the Clinical Hospital on Yauza uses endoscopic, ultrasound X-ray diagnostic methods, CT and MRI, as well as their combinations. Research is carried out on modern equipment of an expert level, the results are evaluated by experienced specialists.
- In the diagnosis of diseases that are accompanied by vomiting of bile, the exclusion of oncological processes and formations is of great importance. In the Clinical Hospital on Yauza, for this purpose, it is possible to conduct a specialized oncopic MRI scan (MR – whole body diffusion), genetic studies that reveal a patient’s predisposition to tumors of various parts of the gastrointestinal tract, and blood tests for tumor markers.
Treatment of vomiting with bile
Effective relief from bouts of vomiting of bile depends entirely on the successful treatment of the disease that causes it.
Specialists of the Clinical Hospital on Yauza will quickly identify the cause of the unpleasant symptom – vomiting of bile. In a hospital, it is possible to carry out both conservative therapy and high-tech surgical treatment for most of the diseases that cause this unpleasant symptom.
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90,000 Viral Gastroenteritis (Children 2-5 Years)
In most cases, the cause of diarrhea and vomiting in children is a virus. This is a viral gastroenteritis. Many people call this “stomach flu,” but it has nothing to do with the flu. This virus infects the stomach and intestinal tract.The disease lasts 2 to 7 days. Diarrhea means loose or watery stools that are different from your baby’s normal bowel movements.
The child may also have the following symptoms:
Abdominal pain or cramps
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of stool control
Fever and blood chills 29
stool
The main danger of this disease is that it leads to dehydration.This is the loss of a large amount of water and mineral salts by the body. In such cases, the loss of fluid by the body must be replenished. This is done with Oral Rehydration Solution . These solutions are available from pharmacies and most grocery stores without a prescription.
Antibiotics are ineffective for this disease.
Home care
Follow your pediatrician’s directions.
If you are giving medicines to your child:
Do not use over-the-counter diarrhea medicines unless prescribed by your doctor.
For pain and fever, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used. Or another medicine as prescribed.
Aspirin as an antipyretic agent is contraindicated in children under 18 years of age. Taking it can lead to severe liver damage and a life-threatening condition called Reye’s syndrome.
To prevent the spread of disease:
Remember that alcohol-based soaps and disinfectants are the best way to prevent the spread of infection.
Wash your hands before and after caring for your sick child.
Clean the toilet after each use.
Dispose of contaminated diapers in an airtight container.
Keep your child out of contact with others until the doctor says it is okay.
Wash your hands before and after cooking.
Wash your hands and utensils after using cutting boards, countertops and knives that have come into contact with raw food.
Keep raw meat away from cooked and ready-to-eat foods.
Keep in mind that people with diarrhea or vomiting should not prepare food for others.
How to Water and Feed Properly
The main goal in treating vomiting or diarrhea is to prevent dehydration. To do this, the child should often consume liquids in small portions.
Keep in mind that liquid is more important than food now.Give a small amount of fluid at a time, especially if the child has stomach cramps or vomiting.
For diarrhea: If you are giving milk to your baby and the diarrhea persists, give up milk. In some cases, milk can make diarrhea worse. If this happens, use oral rehydration solution. Cut out apple juice, soda, sports drinks, or other sweetened drinks. Sugar drinks can worsen diarrhea.
If vomiting: Start with room temperature oral rehydration solution.Give 1 teaspoon (5 ml) every 5 minutes. Even if the child is vomiting, keep giving the solution. Most of the fluid will be absorbed despite vomiting. After 2 hours without vomiting, start with a small amount of milk or formula and other liquids. Increase the amount depending on your tolerance. Do not give your child plain water, milk, formula, or other liquids until the vomiting has stopped. Give more oral rehydration solution as vomiting decreases. Increase the interval between meals.Continue until the child has urine and is no longer thirsty (no interest in drinking). If there is no vomiting within 4 hours, resume feeding with solid food. After 24 hours without vomiting, resume your normal diet.
Gradually, you can resume your child’s normal diet as they feel better. Don’t force your child to eat, especially if they have stomach pain or cramps. Do not feed your baby in large portions at a time, even if he is hungry.Tobacco smoke can make your baby feel worse. Over time, the child can be given more food, provided it is tolerated. Foods that are permitted include cereals, mashed potatoes, applesauce, banana puree, crackers, dry toast, rice, oatmeal, bread, noodles, pretzels, rice or noodle soups, and cooked vegetables.
If symptoms return, return to a simple or no liquid diet.
Follow-up
See or follow your pediatrician’s instructions.If a stool test or culture smear is taken, see your doctor for results as directed.
Call 911
Call 911 if your child has any of these symptoms:
Difficulty breathing
Confusion
Extreme sleepiness or loss of consciousness
Walking problems
Rapid heart rate
Chest pain
Stiff neck
Convulsions
When to seek medical attention
In the following cases, see your doctor immediately:
Abdominal pain increases
Constant pain in the lower right abdomen
Recurrent vomiting after the first 2 hours of fluid intake
Occasional vomiting for more than 24 hours
Prolonged severe diarrhea for a long time for more than 24 hours
Blood in stool or vomit
Decreased ability to eat orally
Darkening or no urine for 6-8 hours in older children, 4-6 hours for babies
Whims or crying when the child cannot be calm
Unusual sleepiness
New skin rashes
Diarrhea lasts more than 10 days
Temperature (seeTemperature & Children below)
Temperature & Children
Always use a digital thermometer to measure your baby’s temperature. Never use a mercury thermometer.
For babies and toddlers, use a rectal thermometer properly. A rectal thermometer can accidentally puncture (perforate) the rectum. It can also carry germs out of the stool. For proper use, always follow the manufacturer’s directions. If you feel uncomfortable taking rectal temperature, try another method.At the pediatrician appointment, tell him which method you used to determine the temperature of the child.
Temperature recommendations. Ear temperature is inaccurate until 6 months. Do not take oral temperature measurements until your child is 4 years old.
Infants up to 3 months:
Ask your doctor about the correct temperature measurement.
Rectal or frontal (temporary artery) temperature 38 ° C (100.4 ° F) or higher or as directed by a physician
Armpit temperature 37.2 ° C (99 ° F) or higher or as directed by a physician
Baby, 3 to 36 months old:
Rectal, frontal (temporal artery), or ear temperature 38.9 ° C (102 ° F) or higher, or as directed by a physician
Temperature underarms 38.3 ° C (101 ° F) or higher or as directed by a physician
Child of any age:
Repeated temperature 40 ° C (104 ° F) or higher or as directed by a physician
Temperature that lasts more than 24 hours in a child under 2 years of age.Or a temperature that lasts 3 days in a child aged 2 years and older.
What prophylaxis is performed to avoid vomiting and nausea? How can nausea and vomiting be relieved?
author: Maria Yiallouros, Dr. med. habil. Gesche Tallen, erstellt am: 2009/07/29,
editor: Maria Yiallouros, Permission to print: Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. Günter Henze, Translator: Dr. Natalie Kharina-Welke, last modified: 2019/08/09
After forms of treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, children may experience nausea and vomiting.How strong they will be, how long and how often they will last depends on what kind of cytostatic the child receives and in what dose; if irradiation was carried out, then in what dose it was given to the child.
Doctors say that different cytostatics differ from each other in their “emetogenic action” or “emetogenic potential”. This means that they can induce vomiting to varying degrees. In addition, each child reacts differently to a particular drug.Often, vomiting and nausea appear about four hours after receiving cytostatics.
A chemical called serotonin plays a key role in why nausea and vomiting occur. In our body, it is a neurotransmitter, that is, it works as a chemical transmitter of impulses between the nerve cells of the human brain. Serotonin is produced in the cells of the gastrointestinal tract. And if it is released, it activates the vomiting center in the brain. For example, this happens when a person becomes infected with an infection [infection] of the gastrointestinal tract.In this case, nausea and vomiting help to remove dangerous pathogens or toxic substances from the body as quickly as possible. When a person receives chemotherapy, serotonin is released because cytostatics damage cells in the gastrointestinal tract.
Especially for older children and adolescents, it is typical when only the memory of previous vomiting and nausea can trigger new bouts of nausea. In this case, experts talk about “anticipatory vomiting”, that is, such a reaction of the body is like a “warning” vomiting.
Good to know: To cope with this side reaction of the body to treatment, there are effective drugs, the so-called antiemetic, etc. They can completely suppress the gag reflex, or they are given for prophylaxis so that nausea and vomiting do not appear.
Basically, we are talking here about those drugs that work as an “enemy” of serotonin, doctors call them serotonin antagonists (for example, a drug such as ondansetron). These drugs prevent the vomiting center from activating.They either neutralize the mediator of the neurotransmitter serotonin, or block the places in the brain where the receptors bind to the stimulus.
Antiemetics are given already a few hours or a few days before the start of treatment with cytostatics. When the course of treatment with cytostatics is over, antiemetics continue to give for some time, because some medications can cause vomiting after treatment.
What to do if a child starts vomiting: instruction for parents
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What to do if a child starts vomiting: instructions for parents
What to do if a child starts vomiting: instructions for parents
Vomiting in a child is a protective process that starts when various circumstances and diseases in the body. How to provide first aid – in the material of RIA … RIA Novosti, 18.12.2020
2020-12-18T20: 58
2020-12-18T20: 58
2020-12-18T20: 58
Evgeny Komarovsky
health – society
children
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MOSCOW, Dec 18 – RIA Novosti. Vomiting in a child is a protective process that is triggered under various circumstances and diseases in the body. How to provide first aid – in the material RIA Novosti. How to behave to parents if the child has vomiting If the child’s vomiting was one-time, mild, and there is reason to believe that it was caused by overeating, motion sickness or stress, then perhaps a direct need see a doctor no.In all other cases, medical advice is required. Causes of vomiting in children It should be borne in mind that the vomiting center in a minor is more sensitive than in an adult. A growing body can react to different smells, unfamiliar tastes, and nervous tension. Types of vomiting in a child Different circumstances can cause vomiting in children. Based on them, several types of symptoms are distinguished. Most often, parents note vomiting with bile in a child. This happens if he overeats, becomes poisoned, or unhealthy food is included in his diet – fried, spicy, fatty.In this case, there may be vomiting and diarrhea in the child at the same time. Vomiting mixed with mucus may be a sign of infection, diseases of the central nervous system, exacerbation of gastritis. But the most dangerous thing is when there is blood in it. Probably, the child’s gastrointestinal mucosa is affected, which means that he urgently needs hospitalization. Only a qualified doctor can determine for sure the type of vomiting and what causes it, therefore, if symptoms appear, you should consult a specialist. What to do and how to stop vomiting in a child. the child has vomiting and fever, a stomach or head hurts, a rash and signs of dehydration appear, then an urgent need to call a doctor.According to the expert, the violation of water-salt metabolism is the most dangerous in vomiting and poses a particular threat to children under one year old. The body of a newborn is 75% water, over 1 month – 60%, so vomiting can lead to dehydration and, together with the loss of electrolytes (potassium, sodium). Severe dehydration leads primarily to a violation of the central nervous system: the child becomes irritable, and then lethargic, disoriented. On examination, you will notice that the skin and mucous membranes are dry, and the pulse is weak.In this case, you need to urgently call an ambulance team. During bouts of vomiting, the child should lie on his side or be in another convenient position for him, which will not allow him to choke on the emerging masses. After vomiting, the mouth needs to be rinsed. As noted by the children’s doctor Evgeny Komarovsky, when vomiting, the child should be given to drink often and in small portions – several sips. Only a qualified doctor can tell parents how and how to stop vomiting in a child, and prescribe the necessary medications and procedures for this …It is better not to decide on your own what to give the child against vomiting. And although traditional medicine offers several ways to stop vomiting at home, they can only make the situation worse. For proper treatment, you need to contact a specialist. Prevention In order not to “pick up” bacterial or viral infections that can provoke fever and vomiting in a child, you must follow the rules of hygiene: wash your hands, fruits and vegetables, do not eat expired products. It is also important to limit access of a small child to a first-aid kit, household chemicals and to wean the baby from putting foreign objects in his mouth.In addition, you need to limit children in the use of chips, crackers, popcorn and sweets in large quantities. In case of complaints of abdominal pain, abnormal stool, it is important to consult a doctor and not self-medicate.
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Evgeny Komarovsky, health – society, children
MOSCOW, December 18 – RIA Novosti. Vomiting in a child is a protective process that is triggered under various circumstances and diseases in the body. How to provide first aid – in the material RIA Novosti.
How to behave for parents if the child has vomiting
– If we are talking about a baby, then you must definitely seek medical help. If about an older child, then you need to pay attention to whether there are other symptoms (fever, headaches, abdominal pain, rash) that indicate the occurrence of a serious illness. If they are available, you also need to call doctors, – told RIA Novosti Associate Professor of the Department of Propedeutics of Internal Diseases of the Medical Institute of TulSU, Candidate of Medical Sciences, pediatrician Victoria Sobolenkova.
If an attack of vomiting in a child was one-time, mild, and there is reason to believe that overeating, motion sickness or stress was the cause, then there is probably no direct need to see a doctor. In all other cases, medical advice is required.
Causes of vomiting in children
– Vomiting is a common symptom of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Most often it is associated with an infection – viral or bacterial. However, it can also be with fever, increased blood pressure, acute pyelonephritis.Also, vomiting in a child without fever can occur in acute surgical pathology (for example, appendicitis), motion sickness, intoxication after taking medications, ” noted Victoria Sobolenkova.
It should be borne in mind that the vomiting center in a minor is more sensitive than in an adult. A growing organism is capable of reacting to various odors, unfamiliar tastes, and nervous tension.
September 16, 2020, 14:31
The doctor named the symptoms of a rare disease in children
Types of vomiting in a child
Various circumstances can cause vomiting in children.Based on them, several types of symptoms are distinguished.
– Regurgitation syndrome is characteristic of infants. It can be accompanied by vomiting without symptoms of an acute illness and not lead to upsetting the baby’s general condition, the expert noted.
Most often, parents note vomiting with bile in a child. This happens if he overeats, becomes poisoned, or unhealthy food is included in his diet – fried, spicy, fatty. In this case, the child may have vomiting and diarrhea at the same time.
December 11, 2020, 16:13 The spread of coronavirus The doctor spoke about the features of the coronavirus in children
A sign of infection, diseases of the central nervous system, exacerbation of gastritis may be vomiting mixed with mucus. But the most dangerous thing is when there is blood in it. Probably, the child’s gastrointestinal mucosa is affected, which means that he urgently needs hospitalization.
Only a qualified doctor can determine for sure the type of vomiting and what causes it, therefore, if symptoms appear, you should consult a specialist.
What to do and how to stop vomiting in a child
If a child has vomiting and fever, a stomach or headache, a rash and signs of dehydration, then an urgent need to call a doctor.
– Before the arrival of doctors, it is important to carry out oral rehydration: to drink it off with water or means to restore the water-electrolyte balance, for example, “Regidron” or “Adiarin Regidro”, – explained Victoria Sobolenkova.
According to a specialist, a violation of water-salt metabolism is the most dangerous in vomiting and poses a particular threat to children under one year old.The body of a newborn is 75% water, over 1 month old – 60%, so vomiting can lead to dehydration and together with the loss of electrolytes (potassium, sodium).
December 3, 2020, 15:01
Dr. Komarovsky named the stupidest tips for treating coronavirus
Severe dehydration leads primarily to a violation of the central nervous system: the child becomes irritable, and then lethargic, disoriented. On examination, you will notice that the skin and mucous membranes are dry, and the pulse is weak.In this case, you need to urgently call the ambulance team.
During bouts of vomiting, the child should lie on its side or be in another comfortable position for him, which will not allow him to choke on the emerging masses. After vomiting, rinse your mouth.
As the children’s doctor Yevgeny Komarovsky notes, when vomiting, the child should be given to drink often and in small portions – a few sips.
Only a qualified doctor can tell parents how and how to stop vomiting in a child, and prescribe the necessary medications and procedures for this.It is better not to decide on your own what to give the child against vomiting. And although traditional medicine offers several ways to stop vomiting at home, they can only make the situation worse. For the correct treatment, you need to contact a specialist.
13 October 2020, 11:00 This is for a long time “This is for a long time”: what can be done so that children have less colds? What do parents need to know in order to survive the autumn with their children? How to “strengthen” the immunity of a preschooler and why frequent snot is normal? What to do with adenoids? What is the harm of “useful herbs” and herbal preparations? Will immunomodulators, humidifiers, vitamin D and hardening save you from frequent colds? We analyze (not) myths about child immunity.
Prevention
In order not to “pick up” bacterial or viral infections that can provoke fever and vomiting in a child, you must follow the rules of hygiene: wash your hands, fruits and vegetables, do not eat expired products.
It is also important to restrict a small child’s access to a first-aid kit, household chemicals and to wean the baby from putting foreign objects in his mouth.
In addition, children should be limited in the use of chips, crackers, popcorn and sweets in large quantities.In case of complaints of abdominal pain, abnormal stool, it is important to consult a doctor and not self-medicate.
Treatment of vomiting in children in the clinic
What is vomiting.
Vomiting is a symptom characterized by rapid, abrupt reflex emptying of the stomach and small intestine through the mouth and nose. The brain is responsible for the occurrence of vomiting, where there is a special vomiting center.
Vomiting is not an independent disease – this symptom is a signal for parents that the child needs to be shown to the doctor.There are many conditions and diseases associated with vomiting. Even if it seems to adults that they know exactly why the child is vomiting, it is better to get confirmation of their assumptions from a specialist.
How to behave for parents if the child has vomiting:
- The child must not be left unattended if he has vomited. Vomiting may recur. There is a risk that vomit will enter the respiratory tract.
- If the child is the first year of life, he must be held in his arms vertically, slightly tilted forward.
- If a child is older than one year old, lay him on the side, put his head on the pillow.
- After vomiting, you need to help the child – rinse the mouth with water, drip drops with sea water or a small amount of saline into the nose, while keeping the child’s head in a semi-vertical position. If the child is older than a year, you need to give a few sips of water. An older child can be asked to rinse out their mouth with water.
- There is no need to immediately give the child medicine and drink plenty of water.Do not feed until the cause of vomiting is determined.
Age is very important in determining the possible causes of vomiting in a child.
Repeated profuse vomiting in children of the first 2 months of life may indicate the presence of an abnormality in the development of the digestive or respiratory tract, as well as congenital metabolic diseases. Gastroesophageal reflux can be another cause of frequent vomiting in children during the first months of life. The attending doctor will exclude precisely these reasons.
The most favorable cause of vomiting in newborns is overeating.The child in the first months of life does not know the feeling of satiety, he is worried about colic, which is the norm of physiological development. When a baby suckles breast milk, intestinal motility improves, gases pass more easily. In the first months of a child’s life, a nursing mother has a fear that there is not enough milk, and when the child is worried, screams, he immediately receives breast milk. If the stomach is full, vomiting may occur. After such vomiting, the child is cheerful, active. Stool, appetite are not disturbed. The child is actively gaining weight.However, it is up to the child’s doctor to decide whether to worry about such vomiting.
Vomiting in a young child without fever can be a single reflex reaction to some stimulus: the baby choked, coughed heavily or ate something tasteless, was very frightened and cried for a long time. If the reaction to food, taste stimuli is repeated, the doctor observing the child should be aware of this, it may require additional examination of the baby in a planned manner.
The baby is rocked in the car – try not to feed or water the baby 2 hours before leaving. It should not be hot in the cabin while traveling. Be prepared to stop on demand and take a walk – take a break. If vomiting during trips is repeated, the attending physician will select a drug for motion sickness that is allowed for children at a given age, and will select a dose.
Vomiting in acute intestinal infectious disease.
One of the most common causes of vomiting in children of different ages can be an acute intestinal infection.It can be caused by a virus (rotavirus, norovirus, and other enteroviruses) or bacteria (Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, Campylobacter, and other bacteria that cause acute gastroenteritis). These diseases are transmitted by airborne droplets, by contact, through unwashed hands. Bacterial intestinal infection – it also enters the body with poor-quality, unwashed food. It is often difficult for parents to determine that a child has an infectious disease. Usually the day before the child looks healthy, he may have a great appetite.If a child attends kindergarten or school, you need to find out if there are any sick children with the same symptoms in the past 7 days, perhaps one of the adults in the family has recently had nausea and diarrhea – in adults, viral intestinal diseases can proceed more easily.
Acute intestinal infection may be accompanied by an increase in temperature before the first attack of vomiting, and in some cases the temperature rises after repeated vomiting. Abdominal pain and diarrhea with these diseases can join sweat, as well as weakness.
It is important that in children of the first 3 years of life, dehydration can occur very quickly, after 2-3 times vomiting in a short period of time. All recommendations for drinking the child are given by the doctor. He assesses the degree of dehydration and draws up a schedule for drinking with saline solutions and sorbents. An older child, after vomiting, will ask for a drink, you need to drink in small portions of 1-2 sips and take breaks between drinks for 15-20 minutes until the doctor assesses the child’s condition.
In addition to infections that cause intestinal infection, any acute infectious diseases, which are accompanied by intoxication and a sharp increase in temperature, may be accompanied by vomiting, which may be against the background of chills, headaches, after vomiting, relief of the child’s condition is not noted.
In a child in the first three years of life who suffers an acute respiratory infection, accumulation of nasal secretions can cause a single vomiting of mucus. This is a spontaneous cleansing of the upper respiratory tract. If you rinse the nose with drops with sea water, nasal breathing becomes free, such vomiting brings relief to the child.
With whooping cough and para-whooping cough, vomiting in children occurs at the height of a prolonged dry paroxysmal cough
Multiple vomiting without nausea, against the background of a headache, is an alarming sign.Vomiting can be caused by a brain disorder.
In a child who has hit his head, vomiting may occur immediately or within several hours, and sometimes within the first or 2 days after the injury. The child must be examined by a pediatrician, neurologist and ophthalmologist as needed. Additional examination is prescribed depending on the severity. Inspection should be on the first day after the fall.
Vomiting may accompany diseases requiring surgery.In such conditions, abdominal pain occurs primarily, after vomiting, the pain does not go away.
From the moment they start to crawl, children enjoy exploring the world around them through their taste sensations. It is very interesting to try everything that glitters and is left on the shelves and on the floor. Therefore, if a healthy young child suddenly vomits, it may be caused by a foreign body in the esophagus. Most often these are children under 5 years old, while the child is restless, crying, may complain of pain without specifying where it is, or point to the chest.
What to do if your child is vomiting.
If a child has vomiting, first of all, it is necessary to determine whether it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance or whether the parents have time to get to the doctor themselves with the child.
Warning signs, upon the appearance of which, it is necessary to call an ambulance:
- The admixture of blood in vomit, or company masses of the color of “coffee grounds”,
- In children of the first months of life, an admixture of yellow or green in vomit
- Vomiting against a background of high fever, headache, weakness, a pronounced decrease in the child’s activity
- Vomiting that occurs within the first 2 days after the child falls, head trauma
- Multiple vomiting – 3-4 times within 2 hours , especially in children of the first 3 years of life.In young children, dehydration develops very quickly.
- Vomiting against the background of severe abdominal pain or sudden pronounced anxiety, a sharp cry of the child.
We accept children from birth to 18 years old.
Vomiting – causes, symptoms, types, diseases
February 26, 2003
Vomiting is a forced uncontrolled expulsion of the contents of the stomach or intestines through the mouth with the participation of the abdominal muscles and diaphragm.Vomiting is also accompanied by weakness, drooling, watery eyes, and dizziness. Both the feeling of nausea and vomiting are triggered by a special nerve center located in the brain stem. In the center of “nausea and vomiting” signals come from sensitive receptors in the digestive tract, so stimulation of these receptors triggers the gag reflex. Irritation of sensitive receptors of the gag reflex occurs, for example, when the walls of the stomach are strongly stretched, when eating foods with an irritating effect, when, inflammation of the walls of the stomach and intestines (gastritis, gastroenteritis).
Direct irritation of the “vomiting center” can also induce vomiting, even if there is no irritation from the digestive tract. This phenomenon is observed in various diseases of the nervous system.
Causes of nausea and vomiting
Vomiting does not always indicate a disease of the digestive tract, but nevertheless, most often the cause of vomiting and nausea is found in the digestive system.
- Gastroenteritis, or inflammation of the stomach and intestines, due to the ingestion of poor-quality food, contaminated water, leading to the development of food poisoning.
- Long-term (chronic) diseases of the stomach (chronic gastritis, stomach ulcer, gastroparesis – complete lack of mobility and contractions of the stomach), stomach spasm (persistent tension of the stomach muscles, with the inability to pass food further), duodenal ulcer, duodenitis.
- Diseases of the gallbladder and liver, cholelithiasis, gallbladder dyskinesia, cholecystitis, blockage of the bile ducts, hepatitis.
- Emergency conditions: acute appendicitis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, intestinal obstruction, perforation of a stomach or duodenal ulcer, gastric bleeding, etc.
- Anomalies in the development of the digestive system: diverticulum (blind process) of the esophagus, intestines usually lead to recurrent nausea and vomiting.
- Stenosis (narrowing of the lumen) of the esophagus or pylorus.
- Tumors of the stomach and intestines.
Suddenly developing nausea and vomiting, accompanied by rumbling in the abdomen, diarrhea, mild fever, weakness are most often a sign of food poisoning .If you suspect food poisoning, you need to flush the stomach with plenty of liquid. You can also drink activated charcoal.
Nausea and vomiting against the background of severe diarrhea (possibly mixed with blood), a significant increase, the temperature of severe weakness may be a sign of an intestinal infection. Severe nausea and vomiting, accompanied by discoloration of feces, dark urine, and jaundice, is a clear sign of viral hepatitis. If you suspect hepatitis or an acute intestinal infection, you need to urgently show the patient to a doctor.
Nausea and vomiting occurring periodically (often) accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal pain, stomach pain, sour belching, bitter taste in the mouth, fecal discoloration, chronic diarrhea, constipation, usually a symptom of gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, cholecystitis, chronic hepatitis, chronic pancreatitis. In these cases , treatment of nausea and vomiting is possible only after the underlying disease has been eliminated.
Since the start and the process of vomiting is controlled by the “vomiting center” of the brain, some diseases of the nervous system can cause vomiting and nausea.
Increased intracranial pressure is characterized by a persistent increase in cerebrospinal fluid pressure and compression of the brain. A slow increase in intracranial pressure is observed, for example, with brain tumors. In such cases, nausea and vomiting occur either in the morning, or slight nausea is observed throughout the day. Along with nausea, the patient may complain of headache, balance disorder, blurred vision, gait or sensitivity disorders, weakness in any part of the body.
A sharp increase in intracranial pressure (cerebral edema, traumatic brain injury, concussion, contusion) is accompanied by severe vomiting, impaired consciousness.
Attention! Persistent headaches accompanied by nausea or occasional “unreasonable” vomiting may be a sign of brain tumors or other diseases characterized by a slow increase in intracranial pressure! If you find this symptom, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Infectious diseases of the nervous system (meningitis, borelliosis), lesions of the nervous system in syphilis or AIDS are also accompanied by vomiting. Of the conditions described, meningitis is most often observed. Nausea and vomiting can be some of the first symptoms of meningitis.
Attention! In addition to nausea and vomiting, meningitis has a high fever, severe headache, and severe tension in the occipital muscles. If you find these signs, you should immediately call a doctor!
Lesions of the vestibular apparatus (vertigo, motion sickness, motion sickness) are often accompanied by nausea and vomiting, combined with severe dizziness, loss of balance.In benign vertigo, nausea and dizziness occur suddenly at the moment when the patient abruptly changes the position of the body and head (for example, turns on the other side in bed). With seasickness or motion sickness, nausea and vomiting occurs when traveling by sea or land. If you find such symptoms, you should contact a neurologist, otoneurologist!
Migraine is a special type of headache that affects 15-20% of the population. With migraine, nausea and vomiting occur against a background of severe (sometimes throbbing) headache.In addition to nausea and vomiting, during a migraine attack, photophobia is observed (the patient does not tolerate bright light), noise intolerance. Migraine attacks recur periodically and can be triggered by foods such as wine, chocolate, cheese, and strong odors. If you suspect a migraine, you should consult a neurologist!
Other causes of vomiting
- Myocardial infarction, arterial hypertension. With increased pressure, vomiting is combined with a severe headache.With a heart attack, vomiting occurs at the same time as severe chest pain.
- Diabetes mellitus with non-adherence to treatment and diet regimens. In this case, vomiting is combined with severe thirst, frequent urination. Severe vomiting in diabetes can be a sign of impending ketoacidosis.
- Diseases of the kidneys in the last stages (renal failure).
- Some medications can have the side effect of vomiting. If vomiting occurs during treatment with any drug, you should consult with the doctor who prescribed this drug.
- Mental factors: stress, fear, anorexia excitement, severe pain, individual unpleasant associations with any food, smell, taste, situation can also provoke nausea and vomiting. Recurrent vomiting can be a symptom of hysteria.
Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy
Nausea and vomiting are possible signs of pregnancy. In pregnant women, nausea usually occurs in the morning and is accompanied by mild dizziness, weakness, and drowsiness.Nausea and vomiting in pregnant women are symptoms of early preeclampsia (toxicosis) The occurrence of nausea and vomiting in a pregnant woman can be a sign of exacerbated pancreatitis, gastritis, gastric ulcer, treatment with iron preparations, therefore, in all cases of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women, this problem should be discussed with a doctor.
Vomiting in children
Vomiting in children occurs more often than in adults, as their structures of the stomach and brain, which prevent the expulsion of food through the mouth, are not fully developed.In a child, any infections, including ENT organs, fever, rotavirus infection, food poisoning can cause nausea and vomiting. In addition, children are more emotionally susceptible, so often a child’s vomiting can be associated with a dislike for a particular food, which is associated with unpleasant memories.
In newborn babies, vomiting should not be confused with regurgitation. A healthy child normally regurgitates 5-10 ml of stomach contents several times a day, regurgitation is associated with food intake and can be a sign of overeating, as well as occur as a result of rapid feeding and swallowing air.However, if a child regurgitates too often and is accompanied by the expulsion of a large amount of stomach contents (vomiting), the baby does not gain weight well – the child should be shown to a doctor, as this may serve as a symptom of esophageal or pyloric stenosis. In older children, vomiting may result from acute appendicitis or gastroenteritis, in which case the child will vomit and diarrhea with fever and severe abdominal pain. Vomiting, restlessness, a crying baby, no stool, or jelly-like, raspberry-colored stools may indicate intussusception (intestinal obstruction), which is a medical emergency.Worms can be a common cause of recurrent nausea and vomiting in children. In all cases of episodic nausea and vomiting in a child, a feces test for parasite eggs should be taken and, if necessary, treated. Migraine headaches in children can cause recurrent bouts of vomiting. It is important to note that, unlike adults, migraine in children does not always manifest itself as a headache and for a long time can only manifest itself as episodes of vomiting or dizziness. Nausea and vomiting can occur in girls during the onset of menstruation.
Attention! Call a doctor if:
- Nausea or vomiting occurs several times and you are not sure what is causing these symptoms.
- If you suspect food poisoning may be causing the nausea, try to give your child a gastric lavage before the doctor arrives.