Understanding Vomiting: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Vomiting is a symptom of an underlying disease. It's a forceful discharge that makes the stomach content. The causes of vomiting may include:
- Food poisoning
- Motion sickness
- Ear infection pregnancy
- Stress
- Acid reflux
- Gastroenteritis
- Dizziness
Some of the illnesses may also cause vomiting like pneumonia and sepsis. It can also be a side effect of different medications, including drugs that are used during cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
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Get A Second OpinionWhat are the Types of Vomiting?
Projectile Vomiting
This involves forcefully expelling stomach contents rapidly and powerfully. It often occurs with conditions like gastroenteritis, pyloric stenosis, or increased intracranial pressure.
Dry Heaving
Dry heaving, also known as retching, involves vomiting without expelling stomach contents. It's often associated with nausea and can occur due to various reasons, such as overeating, alcohol intoxication, or gastrointestinal irritation.
Bilious Vomiting
This type of vomiting involves the expulsion of bile from the stomach. It often occurs when there's an obstruction in the intestines or if a person hasn't eaten for a prolonged period, leading to bile refluxing into the stomach.
Coffee Ground Vomiting
Coffee Ground Vomiting involves the expulsion of partially digested blood, which appears coffee ground like in color and texture. It can indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as from peptic ulcers or esophageal varices.
Projectile Vomiting
This is characterised by vomiting that occurs with such force that it can travel a significant distance away from the person vomiting. It is often seen in infants with conditions like pyloric stenosis.
Fecal Vomiting
In rare cases of severe gastrointestinal obstruction, fecal matter can back up into the stomach and be expelled through vomiting.
What are the Causes of Vomiting?
Some common causes of vomiting & nausea are:
- Food Poisoning
- Indigestion
- Infections
- Motion Sickness
- Pregnancy
- Headaches
- Medications
- Anesthesia
- Chemotherapy
Symptoms of Vomiting
Common symptoms associated with vomiting include:
Vomiting During Pregnancy
- During pregnancy, vomiting can be caused due to hormonal changes in the bloodstream.
- Most women experience morning sickness during the first month of pregnancy.
- The symptoms of vomiting and morning sickness can be resolved within four months of pregnancy.
How is a Diagnosis of Vomiting Done?
Your doctor will check your body, ask how you feel, and look for signs of dehydration to determine why you're feeling sick. If they need more information, they might order tests to determine what's making you feel nauseous.
These tests could include:
- Physical Examination
- Medical History
- Blood Test
- Urine Test
- Pregnancy Test (if applicable)
- Upper GI Endoscopy
What are The Types of Vomiting Colors?
| Type of Vomiting | Color | Possible Causes |
|---|---|---|
| Clear or Watery | Clear | Early vomiting, stomach flu, bile reflux |
| Yellow or Greenish | Yellow/Green | Bile reflux, gallbladder issues, food poisoning |
| Bright Red | Red | Fresh blood, bleeding in the upper digestive tract |
| Coffee Grounds | Dark Brown | Partially digested blood, bleeding in stomach |
| Black or Tarry | Black | Digested blood, gastrointestinal bleeding |
| Brown or Dark Red | Brown/Dark Red | Old blood, slow gastrointestinal bleeding |
| White or Gray | White/Gray | Liver or pancreatic disorders, bile duct obstruction |
What are Vomiting Emergencies?
Vomiting is a very common thing but if there is an emergency then medical attention is required.
- Vomiting that is caused for more than one day
- Food poisoning
- Severe headache and stiff neck
- Abdominal pain
- Blood vomiting
What are the Treatments for Vomiting?
Some primary treatments that can be taken to avoid vomiting are:
- Drinking plenty of liquids to get rid of dehydration
- Take a liquid diet to give some rest to your stomach
- Avoid using strong perfumes
- If you are taking solid food, prefer digestible food like cereal and rice.
- Avoid eating spicy foods someday.
- Avoid physical activities
- Eating light and bland foods
- Eat slowly and take smaller bites
- Avoid activity after eating
- Do deep breathing exercises
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Book an AppointmentWhen to Visit a Doctor?
- If vomiting lasts for more than two days in adults
- When experiencing sudden weight loss due to vomiting
- If you get blood vomiting
- Due to vomiting if you get severe chest pain
- Severe stomach cramps or abdominal pain
- If home treatment is not working you can visit a Doctor
- Due to dehydration or any head injury or infection which causes vomiting
- A fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit can cause vomiting
- If you get food poisoning due to contaminated food
- Stomach pain due to infection or the presence of bacteria.
What are Home Remedies to Stop Vomiting Immediately?
- Hydration: Drink small amounts of clear fluids like water, broth, or herbal tea about 30 minutes after the vomiting stops. Rehydration is crucial to prevent dehydration, especially for children.
- Avoid Certain Beverages: Stay away from alcohol and carbonated drinks as they can worsen nausea and dehydration.
- Soothing Remedies: Try sucking on hard candies like lemon drops or mints to ease unpleasant tastes. Ginger tea, ginger ale, or hard ginger candies can also help alleviate nausea due to their natural anti-nausea properties.
- Aromatherapy: Certain scents like lavender, chamomile, lemon oil, peppermint, rose, and clove can reduce nausea when smelled.
- Acupressure: Applying pressure to point P-6, located on the inner wrist below the index finger, may help relieve nausea.
- Seek Medical Advice: If vomiting persists for more than a day or if there's blood in the vomit or it looks like coffee grounds, it's important to seek immediate medical attention.
