Menu
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result

Home / Digestive / Conditions

Vomiting: Causes, Treatment, and When to See a Doctor

May 26, 2020 - Updated on November 27, 2020
8 min read
By Maria Vila, D.O. | Family Physician

In this article:

  • How Common Is Vomiting?
  • Causes of Vomiting
  • Symptoms Associated With Vomiting
  • Standard Medical Treatment for Vomiting
  • Diagnosing Vomiting
  • Vomiting vs. Nausea
  • Risk Factors for Vomiting
  • Complications Associated with Vomiting
  • When to See a Doctor
  • Final Word

The forceful throwing up or discharge of the contents of the stomach and, at times, the proximal small intestine through the mouth is known as vomiting.

vomiting

It is a common symptom of various health conditions, many not pertaining to gastrointestinal problems.

A reaction to a particular activity or food may result in one-time vomiting, but vomiting caused by gastrointestinal problems or food poisoning can last up to a few days.

How Common Is Vomiting?

In population studies, around half of adults reported at least one episode of nausea and more than 30% reported an incident of vomiting in the past year. Nausea was more frequent among women than men. (1)

Advertisements

A study estimated that around 1.6% of consultations in a health care setting were for vomiting or nausea. (2)

Causes of Vomiting

what causes vomiting?

Vomiting is generally a result of the following conditions:

1. Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is a stomach and intestinal infection caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites which triggers vomiting, inflammation, and various other symptoms of differing severity.

2. Food poisoning

Leaving out food for too long can lead to toxin deposition by germs, which, upon consumption, causes rapid diarrhea and vomiting. For example, staph toxins develop quickly in egg salads.

3. Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy may cause vomiting and nausea, especially if it involves the liver, gastrointestinal tract, or brain. The chances of vomiting increase with the size of the area being treated and the dose of radiation.

4. Coughing

Violent coughing can often induce vomiting in children, especially if they have reflux.

Advertisements

5. Motion sickness

Constant motion, such as during sea travel or amusement park rides, can cause dizziness and vomiting.

6. Migraine

It is common for children and adults with migraine problems to vomit during an attack.

7. Pregnancy

Morning sickness is a common symptom of pregnancy, especially between the 6th and 14th weeks.

8. Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes vomiting as one of its symptoms.

9. Other causes

Some other health problems that can lead to vomiting include:

  • Acute hepatitis
  • Peptic ulcers
  • Genitourinary problems (urinary tract infections, pyelonephritis)
  • Drug use
  • Cancer or tumor
  • Metabolic or neurologic conditions
  • Appendicitis
  • Gallstones
  • Kidney stones
  • Vertigo
  • Ear infections
  • Accidental poison intake

10. Cyclic vomiting disorder

In this condition, the patient experiences severe vomiting every day at approximately the same time. This disorder is more common in children than in adults.

Advertisements

The triggers for cyclic vomiting differ from person to person and can be difficult to pin down. The most common ones include:

  • Menstruation
  • Emotional stress
  • Infections
  • Extreme excitement

Symptoms Associated With Vomiting

Because vomiting can be a result of various reasons, it is can be accompanied by various symptoms. Additionally, severe vomiting can cause several health problems. These include:

  • Dehydration
  • Reduced urination or dark urine
  • Irritability
  • Thirst
  • Lack of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Dry and dull skin
  • Sleepiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dizziness
  • Headache

Standard Medical Treatment for Vomiting

Various medical interventions are available to relieve vomiting.

1. Medications

Bismuth subsalicylate is the most common medicine used for vomiting which protects your stomach lining and helps manage ulcers, diarrhea, and upset stomach.

Other drugs used for vomiting include:

  • Ondansetron
  • Promethazine
  • Diphenhydramine
  • Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
  • Meclizine (Bonine)

Some of these medicines prevent the signals induced by motion sickness from reaching your brain, therefore preventing nausea and vomiting.

Advertisements

Your doctor will select the appropriate medicine for you depending on the cause of your vomiting.

2. Muscle relaxation with guided imagery

Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) involves the alternate relaxation and contraction of the muscles in the body. Different muscle groups are targeted progressively, starting from the head to the feet, or vice versa.

3. Biofeedback

Biofeedback helps relieve anxiety and stress, therefore helping treat vomiting induced by muscle tension.

Advertisements

This therapy involves the use of sensors to detect physiological changes such as temperature, pulse, brain wave pattern, and muscle tone.

Diagnosing Vomiting

how is the diagnosis of vomiting made?

To help the doctor determine the underlying cause of your vomiting, the following procedures and tests may be performed:

1. Medical history

The doctor will inquire about your previous health problems as well as those that run in your family to get insights into your present condition.

The use of recreational drugs or cigarette smoking and other relevant factors will also be accounted for.

2. Physical examination

The physical examination includes checking for signs of dehydration, hypotension (including orthostatic hypotension), and jaundice. The doctor will also test your skin turgor and take a look at your mucous membranes.

3. Lab tests

The doctor may order various tests to determine problems in the gastrointestinal tract, including:

  • Blood test: This test includes total blood count to detect infections or anemia, kidney function, and electrolyte panel tests to determine electrolyte imbalance and liver issues and albumin tests to assess your nutrient status.
  • Pregnancy test: This may be needed for females of childbearing age.
  • Gastric emptying study/scintigraphy: This procedure involves the consumption of bland meals such as eggs with a minute amount of radioactive material. Then, an external camera is used to scan the abdominal regions having the radioactive material.
  • Gastroduodenal manometry: In this test, a catheter is inserted through the mouth to measure duodenal-jejunal pressure levels for 6 hours, first in a fasting state, and then after a meal. The comparative pressure readings help evaluate the effect of prokinetic agents.
  • Wireless capsule gastrointestinal monitoring: In this video capsule endoscopy technique, a disposable capsule is ingested by the patient. The capsule transmits internal images of the gastrointestinal tract to a receiver worn by the patient.
  • Esophageal manometry: This test records the pattern of esophageal muscle (or sphincter) contractions along with their pressure. Any discrepancy in the muscle’s strength or contractions can result in heartburn, pain, and swallowing difficulties.

4. X-ray

An abdominal X-ray can help visualize the liver, stomach, spleen, intestines, and diaphragm.

This test is performed to detect the cause of vomiting, which could be kidney stones, blockage (obstruction) or hole in the intestine, a tumor, or severe constipation.

Vomiting vs. Nausea

People often use vomiting and nausea interchangeably. Although these terms may be related, they are not the same.

Vomiting involves a set of autonomic and motor responses that cause expulsion of the stomach contents, whereas nausea is only the discomforting, subjective feeling that you are likely to vomit.

ALSO READ: Relieving Nausea with Home Remedies and Self-Care Tips

Risk Factors for Vomiting

risk factors for vomiting

Vomiting is a common problem experienced by everyone, regardless of age or gender. However, the following factors can increase the risk of vomiting:

  • Gender: Women are more prone to nausea and/or vomiting than men may be due to the hormonal changes in women.
  • Alcohol and drug use: People who do not consume alcohol or prescription medications are not adapted to chemical alterations in the body, making them more prone to nausea and/or vomiting.
  • Age: Nausea and/or vomiting is found to be more common among people younger than 30 years of age.

Complications Associated with Vomiting

If left untreated, frequent vomiting may result in:

  • Dehydration (excessive loss of water, especially when vomiting is accompanied by diarrhea)
  • Electrolyte changes
  • Changes in mental status
  • Appetite loss
  • Torn esophagus
  • Headaches

When to See a Doctor

You should visit a medical practitioner if you experience repetitive vomiting or the vomiting is accompanied by:

  • Abdominal cramps or pain
  • Fever
  • Fatigue or faintness
  • Blood in the vomit
  • Blood or mucus in bowel movement
  • Inability to consume fluids
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Dehydration (marked by dizziness, dry mouth, dark-colored urine)
  • Confusion
What you may ask your doctor
  • Can vomiting indicate a health problem?
  • Can I take medicines to help stop the vomiting?
  • What steps should I take if I suspect that my child has food poisoning?
  • Should frequent vomiting be a cause for concern?
  • How long will the vomiting last?
  • Am I contagious to others?
What your doctor may ask you
  • Have you experienced this condition before?
  • Have you tried taking anti-nausea medications? Did they work or have any side effects?
  • Are there factors that trigger or alleviate the condition?
  • How often do you vomit?
  • Are you taking any medication?
  • Have you recently started a new medication?
  • Are your bowel movements normal?
  • Are you constipated?
  • Explain your current diet and fluid intake.
  • Are you experiencing excessive worry or anxiety?

Final Word

Occasional vomiting does not pose any health risk, but frequent or severe vomiting can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as aspiration pneumonia and dehydration.

If the condition persists despite preliminary self-care and rehydration therapy, seek medical evaluation to identify and treat the underlying cause.

Continue Reading Continue ReadingSelf-Care and Home Remedies to Stop Vomiting
References
  1. Singh P, Yoon SS, Kuo B. Nausea: a review of pathophysiology and therapeutics. Therapeutic advances in gastroenterology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4699282/. Published January 2016.
  2. Frese T, Klauss S, Herrmann K, Sandholzer H. Nausea and vomiting as the reasons for encounter in general practice. Journal of clinical medicine research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3194022/. Published on February 12, 2011.
  • Was this article helpful?
  • YesNo
Advertisements

READ NEXT

Acute Pancreatitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

By Marina Kim, DO

Acute pancreatitis is an irritation of the pancreas that can lead to serious inflammation throughout the body. It is very...

Read more

Colon Cancer Screening: Who Should Get Screened and How

By Kanwar Gill, MD

Cancer is regarded as a silent killer as it mostly shows symptoms in its advanced stages when it may be...

Read more

Acid Reflux in Children: What to Eat and What to Avoid

By Vasuki Wijendran, PhD, RDN

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive disorder that occurs when stomach contents frequently flow back up into the...

Read more

Stomach Ulcers: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Self-Care

By Marina Kim, DO

Ulcers refer to sores that develop on the inner lining of the stomach or intestine and cause pain. Peptic ulcers...

Read more

Pinworm Infection: How It Spreads, Treatment, and Complications

By Mark Travis, MD

Pinworms or threadworms are intestinal parasites that can trigger a highly contagious infection cycle once they find their way into...

Read more

You’ll Also Like

  • What Causes Indigestion and When to See a Doctor
  • Nausea: Causes, Symptoms, and Complications
  • Dehydration: Reasons, Symptoms, and Treatment
  • Diarrhea (Loose Stools): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
  • What Causes Strep Throat and When to See a Doctor
Advertisements

Newsletter

GET WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATES TO YOUR INBOX!

Categories

  • Nutrition
  • Wellness
  • Oral Care
  • Eye Care
  • Heart Health
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Women’s Health
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Respiratory Health

Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
eMediHealth

This site provides content for informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended for use as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In case of a medical concern or emergency, please consult your healthcare provider.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Nutrition
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Wellness
  • Yoga & Meditation
  • Women’s Health
  • Heart Health
  • Allergy & Immunology
  • Bones & Joints
  • Child Health
  • Digestive
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Eye Care
  • Glands & Hormones
  • Health News
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mental Health
  • Nervous System
  • Oral Care
  • Pain Management
  • Respiratory Health
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Urological Health

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.