Vomiting
What Is Vomiting?
Vomiting is the forceful throwing up of stomach contents. Most kids vomit from time to time, but it normally does not last long and frequently gets better on its own.
What Causes Vomiting?
Many different things can make kids vomit. Most of the time, it is due to gastroenteritis, an infection of the stomach and intestines. Gastroenteritis, frequently called the "stomach flu," is normally caused by viruses. Other germs, such as bacteria and parasites, can also give rise to gastroenteritis. Besides vomiting, people with gastroenteritis can also have nausea, belly pain, and diarrhea. Vomiting due to gastroenteritis generally lasts less than 24 hours and other symptoms get improve in a few days.
What Else Can Cause Vomiting?
People can sometimes vomit from:
food poisoning
motion sickness
migraine headaches
pregnancy
Rarely, vomiting can be a sign of a serious problem, including:
a blocked intestine, like pyloric stenosis in infants
other problems of the stomach and intestines, such as gallstones, pancreatitis, or appendicitis grows pressure in the brain that can occur after a head injury or as a symptom of meningitis or a brain tumor.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Vomiting?
Kids frequently feel nauseous and have belly pain before throwing up. Other symptoms can include:
fever
loss of appetite
diarrhea
Frequent vomiting can give rise to dehydration (not having sufficient water in the body). Signs of dehydration include peeing less frequently crying with few or no tears, having a dry mouth or cracked lips, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, acting very sleepy or less alert.
How Do Doctors Find the Cause of Vomiting?
Doctors normally can tell if vomiting if part of a stomach flu by hearing about the symptoms. Commonly, no tests are required. If a child is vomiting frequently or is very sick, the doctor can order a urine test, blood test, or other tests to check for dehydration and to find out the reason what is causing the vomiting.
How Is Vomiting Treated?
Treatment for vomiting depends on the cause. Vomiting from gastroenteritis commonly goes away on its own in less than 24 hours.
If your child has vomiting, help cure dehydration by giving an oral rehydration solution (like Pedialyte, Enfalyte, or a store brand). It has the right amounts of water, sugar, and salt to help with dehydration. You can buy it without a prescription at drugstores or supermarkets. If you can not get oral rehydration solution, talk to your doctor.
If your child has lenient dehydration and your doctor says it’s OK to start treatment at home:
Start with small sips of the oral rehydration solution, about 1 or 2 teaspoons in every few minutes.
Babies can persisit to breastfeed or take formula as long as they are not throwing up repeatedly.
Do not give babies plain water instead of oral rehydration solution. It does not have the right nutrients for babies with dehydration.
Older children can have frozen electrolyte popsicles.
Do not give medicines for vomiting unless your doctor suggest it.
When your child stops vomiting, you can give small amounts of solid foods, like toast, crackers, rice, or mashed potatoes. Yogurt, fruits, vegetables, and lean meat, like chicken, can also be given.
Kids who continue to vomit or have more serious dehydration require treatment in the ER or hospital.
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