What Causes Vomiting? What Helps with Vomiting?

Vomiting is a digestive system disorder that results in the involuntary expulsion of stomach contents. It is usually preceded by a feeling of nausea and can be a symptom of many pathological conditions. Causes include infections, head injuries, cancer treatments, certain medications, poisoning, medical procedures, and illnesses. After vomiting, it's crucial to ensure adequate hydration due to excessive loss of water and electrolytes from the body. Some methods can be used to prevent vomiting when feeling nauseous, and after vomiting, certain practices can help compensate for the losses and damage in the body. To minimize the effects on the body, consuming tolerable amounts of water after vomiting is important. If vomiting is frequent and persistent, consulting a specialist healthcare provider is essential.

What Causes Vomiting?

Vomiting is the involuntary expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth. This occurs when stomach muscles contract strongly, pushing the contents out. It serves as a reflex to remove harmful substances from the body. Vomiting is a symptom rather than a disease and can be acute or chronic, depending on its duration. Various medical conditions, such as infections, pain, stress, medications, and diseases, can cause vomiting.

Acute Causes of Vomiting
Acute vomiting lasts less than two days or occurs suddenly. Triggering factors include:

  • Infectious diseases like hepatitis, pancreatitis, meningitis, and gastroenteritis
  • Food poisoning
  • Motion and seasickness
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis
  • Appendicitis
  • Post-surgery
  • Conditions that increase intracranial pressure, such as brain injury, concussion, meningitis, and tumors

Chronic Causes of Vomiting
Chronic vomiting lasts more than two days and involves recurrent episodes. It typically requires medical intervention. Causes include:

  • Radiotherapy (cancer treatment based on radiation therapy)
  • Chemotherapy (cancer treatment based on drug therapy)
  • High-dose vitamin intake
  • Pregnancy
  • Migraine (severe headache)
  • Food allergies like celiac disease
  • Upper digestive system disorders like reflux
  • Gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying)
  • Kidney stones
  • Certain medications
  • Psychological conditions like anxiety and depression

What Helps with Vomiting?

Vomiting can occur as a symptom of illnesses or as a reflex. Particularly in cases of poisoning, vomiting helps remove harmful substances from the body. However, frequent vomiting can disrupt the body's water and electrolyte balance. Methods to prevent and minimize the effects of vomiting include:

  • Sitting down and restricting activities if experiencing nausea
  • Drinking ginger-infused beverages to soothe the stomach
  • Sucking on ice chips to alleviate nausea
  • Avoiding spicy and fatty foods and opting for milder foods
  • Avoiding difficult-to-digest foods to allow the stomach to rest
  • Eating slowly and in smaller portions to prevent nausea
  • Performing deep breathing exercises if nausea is stress-related

What Helps with Nausea and Vomiting in Children?

Nausea and vomiting are common in children, often due to infections or short-term illnesses. They usually resolve on their own, but maintaining the child's electrolyte and water balance is crucial since children are more prone to dehydration than adults. Recommended steps include:

  • Encouraging the child to drink water as tolerated
  • Introducing small amounts of food once the child feels better
  • Including easily digestible foods like cereals, crackers, and bread
  • Ensuring frequent hand washing to prevent infections
  • Avoiding sugary foods and drinks if diarrhea is also present
  • For babies, feeding in an upright position and avoiding lying down immediately after feeding
  • Ensuring proper sanitation of feeding utensils

 

What Helps with Vomiting in Pregnant Women?

Nausea and vomiting can occur at any time of day during pregnancy but are most common in the morning. This condition, often referred to as morning sickness, is due to physical and hormonal changes. Common during the first trimester, it usually improves after three months but can persist. Recommendations include:

  • Keeping a few crackers by the bed and eating them before getting up
  • Dividing meals into small portions and not skipping meals
  • Avoiding spicy and fatty foods
  • Opting for protein-rich snacks like nuts, apples, cheese, yogurt, and peanut butter
  • Avoiding exposure to strong, unpleasant odors
  • Ventilating the room and getting fresh air in the morning
  • Staying upright or walking after meals
  • Taking required vitamins with snacks to minimize stomach discomfort

When Should You See a Doctor?

Vomiting is usually harmless and a way for the body to feel better. However, frequent vomiting can lead to significant losses in the body, potentially becoming life-threatening. Seek medical attention if:

  • Vomiting persists for more than two days
  • Accompanied by chest or abdominal pain
  • Severe headache occurs
  • Dizziness and consciousness disturbances arise
  • Fever develops
  • Signs of dehydration appear (headache, dry mouth, excessive thirst)
  • Muscle cramps occur
  • Vomiting blood
  • Diarrhea
  • Inability to urinate for an extended period

In babies, frequent vomiting can indicate chronic issues affecting growth and development, reduced urine output, and lack of tears when crying. If these symptoms are present, consult a healthcare professional. Learn about steps to take if you feel nauseous or after vomiting.

 

Sağlık Merkezi
Anadolu Sağlık Merkezi

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department , Gastroenterology Department

Department Doctors

Gebze Ataşehir

Gastroenterology Department

Prof. Ahmet Melih Özel

Gebze Ataşehir

Gastroenterology Department

Assoc. Prof. Hasan Murat Gürsoy

Ataşehir

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

Prof. Cihan Top

Gebze

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

Prof. Çağatay Öktenli

Ataşehir

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

Prof. Nevrez Koylan

Gebze

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

Prof. Zülfikar Polat

Gebze

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

Prof. Zülfikar Polat

Gebze

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

Assoc. Prof. Enes M. Atasoyu

Gebze

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

MD. Ali İhsan Aker

Gebze

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

MD. Eyyüp Kenan Özok

Gebze

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

MD. Fatih Bünül

Gebze

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

MD. Sebahattin Erten

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

MD. Zahide Karaca

Gebze Ataşehir

Gastroenterology Department

Prof. Ahmet Melih Özel

Gebze Ataşehir

Gastroenterology Department

Assoc. Prof. Hasan Murat Gürsoy

Ataşehir

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

Prof. Cihan Top

Gebze

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

Prof. Çağatay Öktenli

Ataşehir

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

Prof. Nevrez Koylan

Gebze

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

Prof. Zülfikar Polat

Gebze

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

Prof. Zülfikar Polat

Gebze

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

Assoc. Prof. Enes M. Atasoyu

Gebze

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

MD. Ali İhsan Aker

Gebze

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

MD. Eyyüp Kenan Özok

Gebze

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

MD. Fatih Bünül

Gebze

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

MD. Sebahattin Erten

Internal Diseases (Internal Medicine) Department

MD. Zahide Karaca

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