What Does Throwing Up Mean? Causes, Treatment, and Prevention of Vomiting

Understanding Vomiting and Throwing Up

Vomiting, also known as throwing up, is the involuntary expulsion of contents from the stomach up through the esophagus and out the mouth. It is a protective reflex triggered by the brain in response to irritation or inflammation of the digestive tract, infection, toxin or poison ingestion, head trauma, severe pain, emotional stress, or even unpleasant smells.

While vomiting can make you feel miserable, it serves an important bodily function. Getting rid of stomach contents forcefully eliminates harmful substances or pathogens before they can be absorbed. It also relieves uncomfortable gastric distension from overeating, drinking too much alcohol, intestinal blockages, or illness. However, frequent or prolonged vomiting requires medical attention.

Common Causes of Vomiting

Viral Infections

Gastroenteritis, or stomach flu, from viruses like norovirus and rotavirus is a very common cause of nausea and vomiting. The infection triggers inflammation in the lining of the stomach and intestines, making it difficult to digest food properly. Vomiting helps clear the GI tract of viruses.

Food Poisoning

Consuming contaminated, undercooked, or spoiled foods and beverages can lead to food poisoning. Bacterial toxins produced by common culprits like E. coli, salmonella, and staphylococcus stimulate the vomiting reflex. This ejects the tainted substances from the body.

Medications

Many prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and dietary supplements can cause nausea or vomiting as a side effect. Chemotherapy drugs are notorious for severe vomiting from irritation of the GI tract. Opioid painkillers, antibiotics, and iron supplements commonly have this effect as well.

Morning Sickness

Nausea and vomiting, especially in the morning, affects up to 80% of pregnant women during the first trimester. Hormonal changes are believed to be the primary cause. Morning sickness usually resolves by weeks 12 to 14 of pregnancy.

Motion Sickness

Traveling by car, plane, boat, amusement park ride, or even just watching certain videos can trigger motion sickness with dizziness, cold sweats, and vomiting. It results from conflicting messages to the brain from the eyes versus fluid movement in the inner ear.

Concussions

A blow to the head that causes a concussion commonly leads to vomiting. The traumatic jarring of the brain activates the vomiting center. Vomiting is one of the key symptoms used to evaluate concussion severity and recovery time.

Intestinal Blockages

Twisting or kinking of the intestines, growths like polyps or cancers, impacted feces, hernias, and other obstructions can block digestion and stimulate vomiting. Forceful vomiting may help clear partial blockages.

Chronic Conditions

People with chronic health conditions like acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, adrenal insufficiency, and gastroparesis often experience recurrent nausea and vomiting. Treatment focuses on managing the underlying disease.

When to Seek Medical Care

Occasional, short-lived vomiting is usually not a major concern. However, ongoing vomiting with certain characteristics warrants medical evaluation:

• Lasting more than 24 hours
• Blood present in vomit
• Severe abdominal pain
• Dehydration symptoms like dizziness or dark urine
• High fever, stiff neck, or disorientation
• Projectile vomiting
• Green or yellow vomit if not due to food contents

Contact a doctor promptly if vomiting continues unabated without explanation, especially in young children and the elderly where dehydration risks are higher.

Diagnosing the Cause

To determine what is causing vomiting and how to treat it, the doctor will ask about symptoms, perform a physical exam, and may order tests such as:

• Bloodwork to check for infection, electrolyte imbalance, liver issues, etc.
• Urinalysis for signs of dehydration or infection
• Imaging like x-rays or CT scan to look for obstructions
• Endoscopy to view the upper GI tract
• Stool sample testing for pathogens

Identifying and addressing the underlying problem is necessary to get the vomiting and nausea to resolve.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the cause but may involve:

• IV fluids and electrolyte replacement for dehydration
• Medications like antiemetics, pain relievers, antibiotics
• Surgery to remove obstructions, tumors, etc.
• Dietary changes and antacids for acid reflux
• Reducing migraines, adrenal issues, or other chronic conditions

If vomiting results from a stomach bug or food poisoning, it will typically resolve on its own within 24 to 48 hours as the infection clears. The main priorities are preventing dehydration and managing discomfort.

Self-Care for Vomiting at Home

Control Nausea

There are many natural remedies and over-the-counter medications that can reduce feelings of nausea and calm the urge to vomit. Some options include:

• Ginger - Take ginger capsules or sip ginger tea.
• Peppermint - Smell peppermint oils or suck on mints.
• BRAT diet - Eat bland foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast.
• OTC anti-nausea medication - Use as directed.

Prevent Dehydration

Loss of fluids and electrolytes from excessive vomiting can become dangerous. Stay hydrated by:

• Drinking small, frequent sips of water, broth, or electrolyte drinks.
• Avoiding caffeinated, carbonated, sugary, or acidic drinks that can upset the stomach.
• Sucking on ice chips or popsicles can help too.

Record Symptoms

Note the time, frequency, quantity, color, consistency, and triggering events each time vomiting occurs. This information helps the doctor identify patterns and possible causes.

Rest and Restore Electrolytes

After any bout of vomiting, take it easy and allow the body time to recuperate. Consume something with electrolytes like broth or sports drinks. Apply a cool compress to the forehead for comfort.

When to Go to the Emergency Room

In most cases, vomiting will resolve on its own or can be managed with home care under a doctor's direction. However, immediate emergency medical attention is required if vomiting is:

• Persistent and uncontrollable
• Contains blood, green or yellow fluid, or looks like coffee grounds
• Accompanied by chest pain, difficulty breathing, or seizure
• Follows a head injury or change in consciousness
• Leading to severe signs of dehydration and weakness

The risks associated with dehydration escalate rapidly in infants, small children, the elderly, or those with compromised immune systems. Always err on the side of caution and seek prompt care with any concerning symptoms.

Preventing Vomiting When Possible

While vomiting serves a natural purpose, preventing it proactively can minimize misery. Strategies for avoiding vomiting episodes include:

• Practicing food safety habits like proper handwashing, cooking meats thoroughly, and refrigerating leftovers promptly to avoid food poisoning.
• Avoiding known trigger foods, drinks, smells, or activities like reading in the car if prone to motion sickness.
• Learning coping mechanisms like deep breathing for stress or anxiety that causes nausea.
• Taking anti-nausea medication as prescribed by your doctor or before activities that commonly induce vomiting for you.
• Staying hydrated, well rested, and maintaining a healthy gut with probiotics.

While vomiting cannot always be avoided, understanding what triggers it for you personally allows you to take steps to minimize episodes. Pay attention to patterns and take note when home care remedies do and do not provide relief. This will help you and your doctor determine when medical intervention may be beneficial.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.