Vomiting



There are several methods that the body uses to protect itself against irritants and foreign bodies. Sneezing, coughing, and diarrhea are just some of the natural methods by which the body expels any irritants, toxins or foreign objects that are responsible for a health condition. Vomiting also known as emesis is the process by which the stomach forcibly empties itself of all its contents through the mouth. Vomiting is a violent act and can occur in everyone from babies to adults. It is not an illness in itself but a symptom of some other condition or disease.

Vomiting Picture

Vomiting is a complex reflex action in response to signals received from either the stomach, intestines, mouth, inner ear, the bloodstream (if it’s been infected) and even the brain. The action of vomiting includes a strong downward contraction of the diaphragm muscles along with a tightening of the abdominal muscles and opening of the gastro esophageal sphincter. All this leads to the expulsion of the contents of the stomach out of the mouth.

 

Symptoms of Vomiting

Vomiting is a symptom of some other illness or disease affecting the body. The act of vomiting is at times preceded by nausea, but this is not always the case. Even after all the food has been expelled from the stomach, vomiting can continue. This is referred to as dry heaves.

Frequent bouts of vomiting can lead to severe dehydration. The affected person may have dry or cracked lips, a dry mouth, sunken eyes, and even rapid breathing. Urination may be infrequent, but there can be an increased feeling of thirst. Other symptoms associated with vomiting include weakness, dizziness and/or lightheadedness. Depending on the underlying cause of the vomiting, there may be other symptoms as well such as:

  • Stomach pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Gas and flatulence
  • Loss of appetite
  • Retching
  • Body ache and headache
  • Chills and fever
  • Referred shoulder pain

In some cases, symptoms that appear along with vomiting could indicate a life-threatening condition or illness that requires immediate medical attention. Keep a lookout for the following warning symptoms if they accompany vomiting:

  • Chest pain
  • Stools that are black or bloody
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Problems with breathing and a rapid pulse
  • Fainting spells or dizziness
  • High fever (especially in case of children)
  • Severe stomach pain
  • Yellow skin and eyes
  • Vomiting blood that is dark red or brown
  • A head injury that has preceded the vomiting
 

Causes of Vomiting

Vomiting can be caused due to a number of reasons. These include:

  • Gastritis: Acute gastritis is causes by an irritant that affects the lining of the stomach. Viral infections, bacterial infections and parasitic infections can often lead to gastritis characterized by symptoms such as vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, and fever. Food poisoning can also lead to gastritis and vomiting. A bacterial toxin causes food poisoning, and some common sources include Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella, E. coli, Listeria, or Botulism. The usage of certain medications may also cause vomiting. Peptic ulcers, smoking, and alcohol can also cause gastritis and lead to vomiting as well.
  • Headaches: Headaches and migraines can cause vomiting and nausea at times.
  • Inner Ear Imbalance: An imbalance in the inner ear that leads to conditions such as motion sickness, vertigo, Meniere’s disease and labyrinthitis can also cause vomiting.
  • Injury: There are times when a head injury may increase the pressure inside the skull and cause vomiting. The rise in intracranial pressure can also occur due to tumors, infections and an imbalance of electrolytes and water in the blood.
  • Certain Stimuli: Some people are affected by specific smells and sounds that can lead to a bout of vomiting. Feelings of anxiety or fear can also bring about spells of nausea and vomiting.
  • Heatstroke: Sunburn, dehydration and heat exhaustion can all lead to vomiting.
  • Medication: Some drugs and medications could also result in vomiting. Chemotherapy and cancer treatments in particular are known to cause vomiting and feelings of nausea.
  • Pregnancy: Many women suffer from morning sickness or nausea during pregnancy. In some cases, the nausea may lead to vomiting. This mainly happens in the first three months of pregnancy but may last the whole nine months as well.
  • Alcohol: Excessive consumption of alcohol increases the levels of toxins in the blood. Alcohol turn into a chemical called acetaldehyde in the blood and it is this chemical that causes the feeling of nausea and may induce vomiting.
 

Remedies for Vomiting

Irrespective of the causes, there are some cures for vomiting that offer immediate relief. The effectiveness of any home treatment for vomiting will quite naturally depends on the underlying cause, and the severity of the vomiting. Do keep in mind that suppressing vomiting is inadvisable, as this is a natural mechanism to rid your body of any toxins, impurities or germs that are responsible for the problem. Treatment should instead aim to control and restrict the effects of vomiting like fluid loss and dehydration. If you are vomiting:

  • Avoid solid food till the bout of vomiting has passed
  • Gradually increase your intake of water and clear liquids as your stomach’s capacity to retain increases
  • If you are on any oral medications, consult with your doctor, as their effects will be compromised and alternatives may be needed. Some medications also irritate the stomach lining and can cause more vomiting so they are best avoided.
  • If the vomiting continues for more than a day, prevent dehydration by having an oral rehydrating solution.
  • If your vomiting is due to pregnancy, speak to your doctor or health care provider about ways to reduce morning sickness such as eating small frequent meals and eating some dry crackers first thing in the morning.
  • If the vomiting is associated with chemotherapy or other cancer treatments, there are special drugs and medications that can offer relief.
  • Vomiting caused by motion sickness or vertigo can also be controlled with medication. Consult with your doctor before starting any treatment.

Some popular home remedies for vomiting include drinking coconut water or lime juice to rehydrate and soothe the stomach. Other liquids such as mint tea, peppermint tea, ginger tea, ginger ale, fresh fruit and vegetable juices can also help. Make sure you sip slowly and do not drink too much at a time. Avoid all solid foods until the vomiting abates for at least six hours at a stretch. Powdered cinnamon added to water and boiled can be drunk to relieve symptoms of vomiting. Drinking water mixed with equal amounts of honey and apple cider vinegar can help to prevent vomiting as well.

Another home remedy to stop vomiting is drinking a combination of activated charcoal and water. Stir well till the particles of charcoal settle down and drink. This is especially useful if vomiting has been caused by a stomach upset or food poisoning. Roasting cardamom seeds and powdering them before mixing with a teaspoon of honey or sucking on a sugar cube with a drop of peppermint oil are other effective home remedies for throwing up.

 

Diet for Vomiting

Once vomiting begins, the first thing to do is avoid any solid foods. This is not really difficult to do as vomiting is usually accompanied by a complete loss of appetite. The next step to take is to increase your liquid intake to prevent dehydration. If vomiting persists for more than 24 hours and no liquids can be retained, it is recommended that you have an electrolyte solution to maintain the balance in the body. If you cannot get your hands on a commercially available solution, you can prepare your own electrolyte solution by mixing 8 teaspoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt in one-quart of water.

Clear liquids such as water, clear soups, soda, herbal teas, and ginger ale can help calm the stomach and keep you hydrated. Ice chips, gelatin, and juices are also handy when suffering from nausea and vomiting.

Once the vomiting has stopped you can slowly introduce solid foods back into your diet in the form of clear broths, crackers and dry toast. Children can start with bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. At this point of time in your recovery, avoid multi-grain and high fiber foods, as they may be a little difficult to digest. Boiled potatoes, plain pasta, baked chicken, and white rice are easier to eat and retain. As you start to feel better, add cooked vegetables and meats back into your diet, but avoid using too much oil or spices. Dairy products should be avoided for a little longer as they can aggravate the stomach lining. Eat small meals throughout the day and avoid heavy, over-processed and fatty foods for sometime after your vomiting stops.

Suggestion for Vomiting

Many people prefer to treat nausea and vomiting with alternative treatments such as homeopathy, herbal supplements, aromatherapy, and acupressure. Make sure you consult with your doctor before starting any new treatment or alternatives, particularly if there are other symptoms present.

References

  1. Robert J. Naylor, Nausea and Vomiting, In: Editor-in-Chief: V. S. Ramachandran, Editor(s)-in-Chief, Encyclopedia of the Human Brain, Academic Press, New York, 2002, Pages 273-289, ISBN 9780122272103, 10.1016/B0-12-227210-2/00229-6.
  2. Vicki E. Keller, Management of nausea and vomiting in children, Journal of Pediatric Nursing, Volume 10, Issue 5, October 1995, Pages 280-286, ISSN 0882-5963, 10.1016/S0882-5963(05)80045-4.
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    Vomiting - Frequently asked questions
    12 Vomiting remedies suggested by our users
    gingerale and ice
    suggested by [unspecified] on Wednesday, December 10, 2008

    Sip on cold gingerale alternating with ice chips

    Remedy for Vomiting
    suggested by Bridget on Tuesday, December 11, 2007

    Take a small amount of regular cola product. Make sure it is at room temperature, and stir in a glass until most of the carbonation is removed. Sip lightly every 15 minutes until vomiting subsides. Once vomiting stops, drink small amounts alternating with room temperature water. Resume liquid diet for first 12-24 hours avoiding all dairy products.

    vomiting
    suggested by elizabeth on Monday, September 17, 2007

    marijuana helps stop vomiting and nausia. BELIEVE ME!

    Remedies
    suggested by Tessa on Friday, September 14, 2007

    Smell an orange peel or take a piece of hard candy.

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