If you need to make an appointment with a specialist, our team is ready to assist you.

Before anything else, take a moment to assess your symptoms.

Explaining the Basics

Vomiting happens when the stomach contents forcefully come up through the esophagus and out of the mouth, while nausea is that queasy feeling in the stomach. While adults and older kids might link the two, toddlers may not be able to articulate their discomfort. Generally, vomiting can be managed at home and isn’t a cause for alarm.

In babies, vomiting is different from spitting up as it tends to be forceful and repetitive. Spitting up, on the other hand, is effortless and occurs soon after feeding without causing any distress.

Common Reasons for Vomiting

Vomiting in babies often results from overfeeding, milk or formula intolerance, or inadequate burping post-feeding. For most kids, vomiting stems from a viral stomach bug that also includes symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and stomach pains. With home care, vomiting usually stops within 12 hours, but diarrhea may persist for several days.

Rotavirus, a virus known for causing severe vomiting and diarrhea, can be prevented through vaccination. Vomiting may also be linked to infections in other body areas like strep throat, pneumonia, or UTIs. In severe cases, it could point to conditions like pyloric stenosis, meningitis, or Reye syndrome.

It’s important to make sure toddlers haven’t ingested medications or toxins and to check for bruises if they’ve had a fall impacting their head or abdomen.

Monitoring Dehydration Risk

Babies and infants under 1 year old require special attention if they continue to vomit, as they can quickly become dehydrated. Watching for signs of dehydration like dry mouth, reduced urination, fussiness, fatigue, or dizziness is crucial. Additionally, the frequency and color of vomit can indicate the risk of dehydration.

Nausea and vomiting are among the top reasons parents bring their children for medical evaluation at the ER or clinic.

Understanding the Symptoms

Nausea is the uncomfortable sense of an impending vomit spell, often accompanied by dizziness and sweating. On the other hand, vomiting is the forceful expulsion of stomach or intestinal contents due to increased abdominal pressure.

Various factors trigger nausea and vomiting, involving a range of gastrointestinal, non-gastrointestinal, and environmental elements. These factors can lead to conditions like infections, neurological issues, metabolic imbalances, or toxic exposures.

Identifying the Cause

The underlying reasons for nausea and vomiting vary with age, including conditions like infections or gastrointestinal disorders. More severe symptoms like lethargy, fever, or weight loss require urgent medical attention.

Nausea, often a precursor to vomiting, is a common sensation that can occur even without the actual vomiting. Persistent or severe symptoms without a clear cause should prompt a consultation with a pediatric gastroenterologist for proper management.

Detecting Signs in Babies

Forceful vomiting in infants could signal a severe gastrointestinal blockage or infection. Babies may not verbalize nausea, but they might exhibit discomfort signs such as arching their back, clenching their fists, or grimacing. They may also cry before vomiting, distinguishing between reflux and vomiting. Other signs to watch for include decreased appetite, irritability, and frequent spitting up. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult a pediatrician for further evaluation and guidance.

Common Causes in Older Children

Infectious gastroenteritis is a frequent trigger for nausea in older kids, presenting abrupt symptoms lasting 24-48 hours. Other conditions causing nausea include GERD, peptic ulcers, or intestinal obstructions.

When to Seek Medical Advice

While most cases of nausea resolve on their own without medical intervention, persistent or severe symptoms warrant a doctor’s evaluation. Recognizing red flags like blood in vomit or stools, fever, or stomach pain is indispensable for identifying potential serious issues.

Nausea and vomiting are complex processes that can be triggered by various factors such as infections, motion sickness, pregnancy, or medication side effects. Nausea is a sensation of unease in the stomach that may or may not be accompanied by vomiting, which is the forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth. The brain, gastrointestinal tract, and nervous system all play a role in coordinating these processes.

Learn More Below

Gaining Insights on Nausea

Nausea, the feeling leading up to vomiting, is a common issue experienced by almost everyone at some point in life.

Experiencing nausea without vomiting can be uncomfortable, although nausea generally improves post-vomiting.

Unraveling the Causes

Nausea and vomiting stem from various triggers. Some common culprits include:

• Viral infections
• Stomach problems
• Metabolic issues

Conditions such as appendicitis, pancreatitis, kidney stones, stomach ulcers, and gallstones can induce severe pain along with nausea and vomiting. Seek immediate medical counsel if necessary.

Identifying Serious Underlying Issues

Gut blockages or increased brain pressure can result in severe vomiting. Liver disease and kidney problems may also be contributing factors.

Dealing with Acute Vomiting

Typically, acute vomiting subsides on its own. Prolonged vomiting lasting over 48 hours may hint at more serious problems. Seeking medical advice is recommended.

If you or someone you know is experiencing acute vomiting, it is important to stay hydrated. Sipping on clear fluids like water, sports drinks, or clear broths can help prevent dehydration. Avoiding solid foods until the vomiting has subsided is also recommended.

Resting in a comfortable position and avoiding sudden movements can help alleviate nausea and vomiting. If vomiting persists or is accompanied by other symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit, or difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical attention.

Preparing for Medical Consultation

When consulting for nausea and vomiting, be ready to discuss symptoms and potential triggers with your physician. They might conduct tests to pinpoint the root cause.

It is important to provide detailed information about your symptoms, such as when they started, how often they occur, and if there are any specific patterns or triggers that worsen the nausea and vomiting. This information can help your physician make an accurate diagnosis and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Recognizing Urgent Situations

Severe vomiting or stomach pain necessitates immediate medical attention. Contact emergency services if needed. Timely medical care is crucial for persistent symptoms.

Other symptoms that may indicate an urgent situation include difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, sudden numbness or weakness, confusion, severe headache, and severe burns.

If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, do not hesitate to seek medical help immediately. It’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to urgent medical situations.

Signs Requiring Urgent Assessment

Increasing weakness, continuous vomiting, or severe symptoms beyond 48 hours call for urgent medical evaluation. In children, vomiting without diarrhea could indicate another concern.

Managing Persistent Nausea

Long-lasting nausea, like that experienced during pregnancy or treatment, can be distressing. Debilitating nausea needs to be addressed by identifying the root cause.

Addressing Complications

Repeated vomiting can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, tooth damage, esophageal tears, and other severe complications. Seek medical help if experiencing recurrent episodes of vomiting.

References

• NICE Clinical Guideline (April 2009; updated October 2022).
• Scopolamine (hyoscine) for preventing and treating motion sickness. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Jun 15;(6):CD002851.
• Interventions for treating hyperemesis gravidarum. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;(5):CD010607. Published 2016 May 11. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010607.pub2
• NICE CKS, May 2024 (UK access only)
• NICE CKS, April 2025 (UK access only)
• NICE CKS, March 2021 (UK access only)
• Guidelines for the management of norovirus outbreaks in acute and community health and social care settings. J Hosp Infect. 2023 Jun;136:127-191. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2023.01.017. Epub 2023 Feb 15.

Expert Review

The details on this page have been written and reviewed by qualified healthcare professionals.

Next review due: 4 Aug 2027

5 Aug 2024 Latest version

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