Vomiting: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Vomiting?
A primary care doctor can usually check why you are vomiting and start treatment. If the cause is a stomach or bowel problem, you may see a gastroenterologist, a doctor who treats the stomach and bowels. Severe vomiting may need an emergency doctor. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is vomiting?
Vomiting is when you throw up. It forces the contents of the stomach up through the food pipe and out of the mouth. Doctors also call it emesis. Nausea is the feeling of being sick to your stomach, as if you are going to throw up. Vomiting is a symptom of many different conditions. It is common and is usually not serious.
Symptoms
Vomiting often comes with nausea. When you vomit a lot, your body can lose too much water. This is called dehydration. Signs of dehydration include:
- Dry mouth.
- Increased thirst.
- Eyes that look sunken.
- Urinating less often, or dark yellow urine.
- Crying without tears.
- Skin that does not bounce back when you touch or squeeze it.
Causes and who gets it
Many things can cause vomiting. Common causes include:
- Infections of the stomach or bowels, such as the stomach flu.
- Food poisoning and food allergies.
- Migraine headaches.
- Morning sickness during pregnancy.
- Seasickness or motion sickness.
- Acid reflux, which is stomach contents leaking upward, and slow emptying of the stomach, called gastroparesis.
- Medicines or medical treatments, such as cancer chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
- Severe pain, such as pain from kidney stones.
- Heavy use of marijuana.
Vomiting can also be an early warning sign of a more serious problem, such as appendicitis, a blockage in the intestines, a cancer or tumor, or an ulcer in the lining of the stomach or small intestine. Swallowing a medicine, drug, or poison can cause it too, especially in children.
How doctors diagnose it
Your provider will take your medical history, ask about your symptoms, and do a physical exam. The provider will look for signs of dehydration. You may be asked when the vomiting began, how often it happens, and whether you also have belly pain, fever, diarrhea, or headaches. You may also be asked what medicines you take and whether you could be pregnant.
Tests may include blood and urine tests. Women may also have a pregnancy test. Other tests can include an ultrasound or CT scan of the belly, an upper endoscopy, or a gastric emptying study.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause. Your provider may treat the underlying problem. You may need medicine. Your provider may also have you stop a medicine that is causing the vomiting. For severe vomiting, you may need extra fluids through an IV, which is a thin tube placed in a vein.
Things you can do to feel better include:
- Drink small amounts of clear liquids often if you have trouble keeping liquids down.
- Eat bland foods and stay away from spicy, fatty, or salty foods.
- Eat smaller meals more often.
- Avoid strong smells, since they can sometimes trigger nausea and vomiting.
- For morning sickness, eat crackers before you get out of bed, and ask your provider about treatments.
- For motion sickness, stay still. Over-the-counter antihistamines may also help.
When to see a doctor
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you think the vomiting is from poisoning, or if you see blood or dark, coffee-colored material in the vomit.
Contact your provider right away or get medical care if you or another person has:
- Vomited for longer than 24 hours.
- Been unable to keep any fluids down for 12 hours or more.
- Vomited 3 or more times in 1 day.
- Not urinated for 8 or more hours.
- A headache or stiff neck.
- Severe stomach or belly pain.
- Signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, infrequent urination, or dark urine.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can check for dehydration, look for the cause of the vomiting, and help you decide when you need urgent care or a specialist.
Common questions
What causes vomiting?
Vomiting has many causes, including infections of the stomach or bowels, food poisoning, migraine headaches, motion sickness, morning sickness in pregnancy, and some medicines. Sometimes it is an early warning sign of a more serious problem, such as appendicitis or a blockage in the intestines.
What helps with vomiting at home?
Drinking small amounts of clear liquids often helps you avoid dehydration. Eating bland foods in smaller meals more often can also help.
When should I get medical care for vomiting?
Contact your provider right away if you have vomited for longer than 24 hours, cannot keep any fluids down for 12 hours or more, or have vomited 3 or more times in 1 day. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you think the vomiting is from poisoning, or if you see blood or dark, coffee-colored material in the vomit.
Is vomiting serious?
Vomiting is common and is usually not serious. It can be serious if it lasts a long time, if you cannot keep fluids down, or if you see blood in the vomit.
How can I tell if vomiting has caused dehydration?
You can tell by signs such as dry mouth, increased thirst, sunken eyes, and urinating less often or having dark yellow urine. Crying without tears is also a sign.
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Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
