Frequent vomiting is a symptom that signals the presence of some kind of pathology. It is impossible to consider vomiting as a separate disease. What could be the causes of frequent vomiting in an adult or a child? What are the accompanying symptoms of diseases? How is their treatment going?
Mechanism of occurrence
Despite the fact that vomiting seems to be a simple emptying of the contents of the stomach, in fact, many more organs are involved in this process. The condition occurs due to the excitation of the activity of the vomiting center in the brain. The presence of this kind of reflex in a person is determined by the body's ability to urgently eject toxic and poisonous substances.
Frequent vomiting cannot be ignored, as it is the result of some disorder in the body. This condition can occur with a large number of diseases, among which all kinds of food and chemical poisoning occupy a separate place.
Classification
By type of impact, the following types of vomiting are distinguished:
- Gastric,which occurs when the walls of the stomach are directly irritated by medications, poor-quality food, or other factors.
- Central when caused by non-gastric causes. It comes on suddenly, without nausea, and can be difficult to stop.
According to the factors of origin, frequent vomiting can be divided into the following categories:
- Conditional reflex. Occurs with mechanical irritation of the soft palate, the root of the tongue, the abdominal cavity.
- Brain. Is the result of increased intracranial pressure.
- Toxic. Occurs when poisoned.
- Medical. Appears when exposed to certain drugs on the vomiting center in the brain.
In addition, you should pay attention to the structure and smell of vomit. They may contain impurities that have led to poisoning. If the vomiting is due to other conditions, then this information is of little value.
Why does it occur
Causes of frequent vomiting in both adults and children can be as follows:
- Acute conditions such as peritonitis, appendicitis, acute pancreatitis, acute intestinal obstruction, bleeding in the abdomen or gastrointestinal tract.
- Such chronic diseases: gastritis, duodenitis, cholelithiasis, gastric or duodenal ulcers.
- Anomalies in the development of some organs of the gastrointestinal tract, such as infection of the gastrointestinal tract, narrowing of the pylorus. Also for gaggingmay result in some defects in the development of the pancreas.
- Infectious diseases such as helminth infections, food poisoning, some viral diseases.
- Presence of foreign bodies in the abdominal cavity, gastrointestinal tract.
- Some disorders that are characterized by decreased or impaired gastrointestinal motility.
- Benign or malignant neoplasms.
- Brain injury.
- Infectious diseases of the brain, such as meningitis or encephalitis.
- Increased intracranial pressure.
- Myocardial infarction.
- Acute heart failure.
- Diabetes mellitus and diseases that develop against it, such as ketoacidosis.
- Hormonal disorders, as well as failures in metabolic reactions.
- Situations of a psychogenic nature, such as acute stress, fear, anxiety, hysterical states.
Vomiting is typical for toxicosis during the first trimester of pregnancy, as well as motion sickness while traveling in vehicles.
Types of vomit
According to the characteristics of frequent vomiting in an adult or a child, one can assume the cause of its occurrence. Indication of this fact during the examination provides additional information to the doctor and may affect the final diagnosis and treatment. Frequent vomiting can be of the following types:
- With impurities of bile. Characteristic for poisoning, exacerbation of gastritis, pancreatitis, cholelithiasis, stress, nervous tension. Define vomiting withbile impurities can be due to the characteristic bitter taste remaining in the mouth and a greenish tint. Also, this condition is typical for severe alcohol intoxication, when at first a person is sick of what he has eaten, and then of bile.
- Vomiting blood. It can occur in such pathological conditions: peptic ulcer of the stomach or intestines, cirrhosis of the liver, trauma to the digestive tract. Frequent vomiting and diarrhea in an adult can also occur with poisoning, intoxication, and infection.
- Masses that resemble curdled milk often occur in infants when large amounts of air are swallowed, as well as in bowel obstruction. This vomit also smells sour.
- The presence of mucus indicates rotavirus, damage to the gastric mucosa, problems with the central nervous system, appendicitis, gastritis, intestinal obstruction. Such vomit is also characteristic of alcoholics and heavy smokers.
In rare cases, the so-called "fecal vomiting" can occur, when the masses resemble digestive waste in color and smell. This pathological condition is characteristic of a fistula between the wall of the stomach and the transverse colon.
Associated symptoms
The causes of frequent vomiting in a child or adult can also be determined by the symptoms that accompany this unpleasant condition. These include the following:
- Nausea that occurs before vomiting. This sensation may appear due to irritation of the celiac and vagus nerve. It should be remembered that nausea preceding the release of vomit,does not always occur.
- Frequent vomiting in a child, which is accompanied by loose stools, may be evidence of food poisoning, irritation of the intestinal or stomach walls, inflammation in the digestive organs. With this symptom, a person loses a fairly large amount of fluid, so there is a risk of dehydration.
- Frequent vomiting and fever, which in some cases reaches 39 degrees, may be a manifestation of some infectious diseases caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
- Pain and spasms may indicate acute attacks of cholecystitis, appendicitis, peritonitis. In addition, such a symptom can develop against the background of mechanical damage to internal organs caused by injuries to the abdomen, chest or head.
- Incessant vomiting, which is difficult to stop even after the introduction of medications, may be caused by cerebral edema or severe intoxication of the body.
In addition, other symptoms include bloating, headache, dizziness, fever.
Diagnosis
If a child has frequent vomiting, what should I do? If this process is repeated several times, you need to call an ambulance. In cases where vomiting was single, and the general condition of the child is satisfactory, you should make an appointment with a pediatrician. At home, you can give the baby a little warm tea to calm down. The doctor will examine the child and prescribe the following laboratory tests.investigations for correct diagnosis:
- General and biochemical blood test, which can show the presence of an inflammatory process in the body or identify infectious diseases.
- Fibrogastroduodenoscopy to assess the state of the gastrointestinal tract.
- X-ray of the gastrointestinal tract using contrast fluid to identify lesions.
In addition, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound diagnostics may be prescribed.
Smell
To determine the exact diagnosis, it is important to pay attention to any little things, for example, the smell of vomit. It could be:
- Sour (with obvious problems with the formation of acid in the digestive tract).
- Rotten (when food stagnates in the stomach).
- Smell of stool (with intestinal obstruction).
- Acetone smells like diabetes and a number of other pathologies.
- The characteristic smell of ammonia occurs in kidney failure.
When poisoned by alcohol or other chemicals, vomit will have a pronounced chemical or alcohol odor.
First Aid
What should be done if vomiting starts? If poisoning is suspected, do not try to stop it. Thus, the intestines are trying to cleanse themselves of the toxins that have got inside. In addition, it is recommended to drink a large amount of water, slightly tinted with potassium permanganate, and induce vomiting. This is to cleanse the stomach.
Frequent vomiting in a child is alwaysis an excuse to call an ambulance. This symptom should not be ignored as it may be a sign of a more serious condition requiring surgery.
If vomiting is single (for example, caused by a headache, but not associated with eating any food), the person should be given some clean water or tea to drink, put to bed, cover, and ensure peace. It is better not to give painkillers, as they can cause a new attack of nausea. You can put a compress on your forehead, smear whiskey and the back of your head with Asterisk. You also need to measure the patient's blood pressure, because a significant deviation from the norm can cause headache and vomiting.
Treatment of intestinal diseases
Frequent vomiting without fever in a child or adult can be caused by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. They require this treatment:
- Appendicitis is subject to surgical therapy with the removal of the inflamed organ.
- Gastritis can be treated with a strict diet, as well as the use of enveloping agents to restore the mucosa, antispasmodics, cytoprotectors, enzymes and hormonal drugs.
- In case of gallstone disease, surgery is performed or the problem is solved with the help of medications that dissolve stones. In addition, hardware methods of treatment with a laser or ultrasound can be used. The patient is also shown a diet.
Anomalies in the development of the digestive tract more oftenall are solved surgically.
Treatment of infectious diseases
If vomiting turned out to be a symptom of infectious diseases, then such conditions require immediate medical attention:
- For meningitis, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, antihistamines, diuretics are prescribed (with the development of cerebral edema).
- Encephalitis is treated with antipyretics, anti-inflammatory drugs, anticonvulsants, antibiotics, detoxification therapy.
In case of food poisoning, gastric lavage is indicated to cleanse it of the remnants of poor-quality food, taking sorbents, as well as restoring the water-s alt balance.
Trauma Therapy
With various kinds of mechanical damage to the head or abdominal cavity, vomiting may occur. If injuries of the peritoneum are accompanied by abundant internal blood loss, then the task of doctors is to stop it, as well as thoroughly wash the internal organs and set up a drainage system.
For head injuries (concussion or head injury), which are also accompanied by severe vomiting and other unpleasant symptoms, bed rest, analgesics, sedatives, diuretics, and drugs against dizziness are recommended.
Treatment of heart problems
Myocardial infarction or acute heart failure can be very dangerous for a person. They require treatment for the followingscheme: relief of pain, restoration of heart rhythm, reduction of the necrosis zone. It is also important to avoid unpleasant consequences. To do this, a person is prescribed antipsychotics, diuretics, anticoagulants, cardiac glycosides, as well as antispasmodics and painkillers.
Treatment of hormonal disorders
If vomiting is a sign of the presence of pathologies that are considered complications of diabetes, then the following therapy is prescribed:
- In diabetic ketoacidosis, insulin therapy, correction of acid-base balance, administration of anticoagulants, infusion therapy.
- Thyrotoxicosis is treated with surgery, radioactive iodine, and treatment aimed at normalizing the level of hormones produced by the thyroid gland.
- If adrenal insufficiency requires hormone replacement therapy. Acute condition needs urgent resuscitation.
To avoid these problems, you need to carefully monitor your he alth, and also do not ignore the therapy that was prescribed for the treatment of diabetes, against which there are side diseases.
Stress treatment
Vomiting, which is caused by strong nervous tension, fear or anxiety, needs treatment, which consists in relieving symptoms, as well as revising lifestyle, allocating time for quality rest, talking with a psychologist and psychotherapist, and physical activity. In some cases, sedatives are indicated.
