Involuntary vomiting occurs when the contents of one's stomach are forced out of one's mouth, sometimes through the nose. Vomiting may be caused by many factors, but some of the most common causes are:
Motion sickness: This is a condition that occurs when the inner ear, which helps with balance and orientation, is disturbed by movement. Motion sickness can cause nausea, dizziness, and vomiting.
Food poisoning: This is an illness that results from eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Food poisoning can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.
Pregnancy: This is a condition that occurs when a woman has a fertilized egg growing inside her uterus. Pregnancy can cause hormonal changes that can affect the digestive system and cause nausea and vomiting, especially in the first trimester.
Migraine: This is a type of headache that causes severe pain, usually on one side of the head. Migraine can also cause nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Gastroenteritis: This is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, usually caused by a virus, bacteria, or parasite. Gastroenteritis can cause abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.
Medications: Some medications can have side effects that can cause nausea and vomiting, such as chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, painkillers, and antidepressants.
Other conditions: There are many other conditions that can cause vomiting, such as appendicitis, pancreatitis, gallstones, kidney stones, liver disease, ulcers, gastritis, reflux, and more.
Vomiting is a symptom itself, but it can also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
Nausea: This is a feeling of discomfort and unease in the stomach that can precede or accompany vomiting.
Dehydration: This is a condition that occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in. Dehydration can cause dry mouth, thirst, decreased urine output, dark urine, headache, dizziness, and weakness.
Electrolyte imbalance: This is a condition that occurs when the levels of minerals and salts in the body are too high or too low. Electrolyte imbalance can cause muscle cramps, twitching, irregular heartbeat, confusion, and seizures.
To diagnose the cause of vomiting, a doctor may ask about the following:
The frequency and duration of vomiting: How often and how long has the vomiting been occurring?
The appearance and smell of vomit: What does the vomit look like and smell like? Is it clear, yellow, green, brown, or bloody? Does it contain food particles, bile, or mucus?
The triggers and relievers of vomiting: What makes the vomiting worse or better? Is it related to food, motion, stress, or medication?
The associated symptoms: What other symptoms are present along with vomiting? Are there any signs of dehydration or electrolyte imbalance?
The medical history and medications: What are the current and past medical conditions and medications of the person who is vomiting?
The doctor may also perform a physical examination and order some tests, such as:
Blood tests: These can check for signs of infection, inflammation, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, liver function, kidney function, and more.
Urine tests: These can check for signs of dehydration, infection, kidney problems, pregnancy, and more.
Stool tests: These can check for signs of infection, parasites, blood, and more.
Imaging tests: These can include X-rays, ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI, which can show the structure and function of the organs in the abdomen and chest.
Endoscopy: This is a procedure that involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light at the end through the mouth or nose into the stomach and intestines. This can allow the doctor to see the lining of the digestive tract and take samples of tissue if needed.
The treatment of vomiting depends on the cause and severity of the condition. Some general measures that can help with vomiting are:
It is important to rest and avoid activities or substances that can worsen vomiting, such as physical exertion, spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, and smoking.
In order to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, it is important to drink small amounts of clear fluids, such as water, broth, or sports drinks. A solution for oral rehydration, such as Pedialyte, can also help restore minerals and fluids lost.
Avoid eating large, heavy meals and eat bland, soft, and easy-to-digest foods like crackers, toast, rice, bananas, or applesauce. Eat small, frequent meals rather than large, heavy ones.
A number of medications, such as antihistamines, antacids, antiemetics, or prokinetics, can help reduce nausea and vomiting. As these medications may have side effects or interact with other drugs, they should only be taken under the direction of a doctor.
If vomiting is caused by a specific condition, such as food poisoning, gastroenteritis, migraine, or pregnancy, the treatment may also include:
It is important to understand that antibiotics are drugs that can kill or stop the growth of bacteria that cause infections. Antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial food poisoning or gastroenteritis, but they do not work for viruses or parasites.
For parasitic food poisoning or gastroenteritis, such as giardiasis or amoebiasis, antiparasitics are prescribed to kill or stop the growth of parasites.
Painkillers are drugs that can relieve pain and inflammation. Painkillers may be prescribed for migraines, appendicitis, pancreatitis, gallstones, kidney stones, and other conditions that cause abdominal pain.
In surgery, an incision is made to remove or repair a part of the body. Surgery may be necessary for appendicitis, pancreatitis, gallstones, kidney stones, and other digestive tract obstructions or perforations.
Pregnant women may benefit from vitamin supplements, especially folic acid, iron, and vitamin B6, which can reduce nausea and vomiting as well as help prevent birth defects.
Some ways to prevent vomiting are:
Practicing good hygiene and food safety: It is important to wash hands frequently, especially before and after handling food, and to cook and store food properly, avoiding cross-contamination and spoilage.
Avoiding motion sickness: It is helpful to sit in the front seat or near the window, avoid reading or watching screens, and focus on the horizon when traveling by car, boat, or plane. Taking ginger, peppermint, or motion sickness medication before traveling can also help prevent nausea and vomiting.
Managing stress and emotions: It is beneficial to practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or massage, and to seek counseling or therapy if needed. Stress and emotions can affect the digestive system and cause nausea and vomiting.
As far as the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of vomiting and the underlying condition are concerned, following the doctor's advice and instructions is essential. It is important to take medications as prescribed, follow dietary and lifestyle recommendations, and report any changes or complications to prevent vomiting and improve outcome.
