Vomiting

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The spasmodic ejection of matter from the stomach through the mouth.

It would be a rare individual indeed who went through life without experiencing vomiting — the forceful and uncontrollable expulsion of stomach or intestinal contents — whether due to illness, turbulent travel, or extreme disgust.

Vomiting may be preceded by nausea, which is often accompanied by increased autonomic nervous system activity, involving salivation, sweating, pallor, and low blood pressure. Just before vomiting occurs there are retrograde contractions in the upper small intestine and in the stomach which propel their contents up the oesophagus and into the mouth.

There is a vomiting ‘centre’ in the mid-brain which co-ordinates the complex neural reflexes that occur during vomiting. The centre may be activated by incoming fibres in the vagus nerves from the gut, by the vestibular system via auditory nerves, by higher centres in the central nervous system, and also by input from a ‘trigger zone’ in the brain stem that is responsive to chemical stimulation by drugs, acidosis, and hypoxia.

Causes, investigation, and management of vomiting

Intestinal infections from food poisoning, particularly that due to Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus, produce vomiting soon after ingestion of contaminated food. Other infections can cause vomiting along with diarrhoea — particularly acute viral gastroenteritis due to rotavirus and bacterial diarrhoeas. There is often a clue to the source of infection, especially if there are several sufferers after a common meal or a sequence of contacts. The diagnosis can usually be made by microbiological examination of faeces. These acute infections are usually self-limiting, although in some instances antibiotics may be appropriate.

Gastrointestinal obstruction The outlet of the stomach may be obstructed, particularly following chronic duodenal ulceration or as a result of gastric cancer, and this often produces vomiting. Gastric emptying may also be impaired when there is nerve damage or muscle damage, such as in the neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus. Obstruction of the small bowel can occur as a result of adhesions, fibrotic strictures associated with intestinal inflammation (Crohn's disease), or radiation enteritis. Obstruction can usually be confirmed by X-ray, although more detailed investigation may be required to identify the precise site of the obstruction, and surgery may then be required to relieve it.

Causes arising in the central nervous system Vomiting may be stimulated by excessively unpleasant perceptions — distressing sights, disgusting smells, or extreme anxiety are well known causes; motion sickness is produced by neural mechanisms involving the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear. Disorders in the brain itself can cause vomiting, for example migraine, meningitis, and any of the causes of increased intracranial pressure. When the history of the illness and other signs and symptoms indicate raised intracranial pressure, a brain scan is usually required to search for a cause; lumbar puncture and examination of cerebrospinal fluid may be necessary if meningitis is suspected.

Metabolic disorders A variety of produce vomiting, particularly those associated with acidosis, including kidney failure and uncontrolled diabetes with ketoacidosis. These can usually be diagnosed with appropriate blood tests.

Anti-cancer drugs and radiotherapy commonly produce nausea and vomiting, as do other drugs active in the central nervous system, including opiate pain killers (morphine, heroin) and also alcohol. Progress has been made in the development of new anti-emetic drugs (emesis = vomiting), particularly the serotonin antagonists which are potent inhibitors of chemotherapy-induced vomiting.

The eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia, are frequently associated with vomiting, usually self-induced.

The vomiting which may accompany early pregnancy is a common experience, so far largely unexplained.

Whatever the cause, the effects of vomiting on the body follow from the loss of fluid and of the acid which the gastric juices normally contain. There can therefore be dehydration and disturbance of acid-base homeostasis, which have to be corrected if vomiting is persistent or severe.

— Michael Farthing, Anne Ballinger

The forcible voluntary or involuntary emptying of the stomach contents through the mouth.

Definition

Vomiting is the forceful discharge of stomach contents through the mouth.

Description

Vomiting, also called emesis, is a symptomatic response to any number of harmful triggers. Vomiting is a forceful expulsion, and is different from regurgitation—the effortless return of stomach contents to the mouth. Although unpleasant, vomiting is an important function because it rids the body of harmful substances.

Vomiting is a complex process resulting from the coordinated interaction of nerve pathways, the brain, and muscles of the gastrointestinal system. The primary vomiting trigger point in the brain is called the area postrema. This structure is exposed to chemicals in the bloodstream and the cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid found in the brain and spinal cord). Scientific studies have shown that stimulation of the area postrema by a wide variety of drugs as well as bacterial toxins, radiation, and physiologic conditions, induces vomiting.

Certain nerve pathways (called afferent neural pathways) induce vomiting when triggered by motion, ear infections or tumors, Ménière's disease (a disease characterized by recurrent vertigo), odors, visual stimulation, pain, and bad tastes. Still other nerve pathways (peripheral afferent neural pathways) induce vomiting in response to stomach irritants, distension of the intestines and bile ducts, abdominal inflammation, and myocardial infarction (heart attack).

The physical act of vomiting is controlled by multiple sites of the brain stem. When activated, these structures send signals to the throat, diaphragm, and abdominal muscles. These signals result in the simultaneous contraction of these muscles, which brings the stomach contents up through the esophagus (the tube between the stomach and the throat) and out the mouth. During vomiting, breathing is inhibited, except for short breaths between discharges. Bradycardia (decrease in the heart rate) and changes in blood pressure may occur during retching and vomiting.

Causes & Symptoms

Vomiting can be caused by many different things. Vomiting that lasts only one or two days is usually caused by infection, a reaction to medication, a toxin, uremia (accumulation of protein breakdown products in the bloodstream), and diabetic ketoacidosis (accumulation of toxins resulting from uncontrolled diabetes). Vomiting that lasts longer than one week can be caused by a long-term medical or psychiatric condition. Causes of vomiting include:

• Medications. Drugs are the most common cause of vomiting, especially during the first days of use. Drugs can induce vomiting by stimulation of the area postrema or by direct stimulation of peripheral nerve pathways. Medications that commonly cause vomiting include cancer drugs, pain relievers (especially opioids), heart medications, diuretics, hormones, antibiotics, antiasthmatics, gastrointestinal drugs, and medications that act on the brain.
• Infections. Infections of the gastrointestinal system or whole body can cause vomiting. Gastrointestinal infections are more common in infants, toddlers, and young adults (20–29 years old) who usually get 1.2 infections each year. Infections that can cause vomiting include bacterial, viral, and parasitic gastrointestinal infections, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), otitis media (ear infection), meningitis (infection of the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord), and hepatitis (infection of the liver).
• Gastrointestinal and abdominal disorders. Disorders of the gastrointestinal system that can produce vomiting include blockage of the stomach or small intestine, motility disorders (muscles in the esophagus become discoordinated or weak, causing difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, and sometimes pain), indigestion, radiation therapy-induced changes, Crohn's disease (chronic recurrent inflammation of the intestines), peptic ulcer, worm infestations, or inflammation of the appendix, gall bladder, or pancreas.
• Nervous system disorders. Cancers, infarction (an area of dead tissue caused by an obstruction in the artery supplying the area), bleeding (hemorrhage), birth defects, ear disorders, motion sickness, weightlessness, ear tumors, Ménière's disease, unpleasant memories, psychogenic (caused by mental factors) issues, and bad tastes or smells can all cause vomiting.
• Hormones and physiological conditions. Hormonal and metabolic (physical and chemical processes of the body) conditions that can cause vomiting include: parathyroidism, diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperthyroidism (condition caused by excessive ingestion or production of thyroid hormone), Addison's disease, uremia, and pregnancy. Pregnancy is the most common cause of vomiting associated with the hormonal system. Vomiting associated with pregnancy is often called morning sickness.
• Postoperation. Anesthesia and pain medications can cause nausea and vomiting, which are complications associated with 17–39% of surgeries.
• Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS). This rare disorder occurs in children usually beginning at age five years, although it also occurs in adults. It is characterized by, on average, eight attacks of vomiting lasting for 20 hours each year. Although the exact cause is unknown, there seems to be a relationship between cyclic vomiting and migraine headaches.
• Poisons. Arsenic and other heavy metals, weed killers and household cleaning agents, and many other substances may cause vomiting if inhaled or swallowed.
• Miscellaneous causes. Excessive alcohol consumption causes vomiting by acting both on the gastrointestinal tract and the brain.

Nausea is often associated with vomiting. Vomiting may be preceded by retching, in which the muscles contract as for vomiting but without the discharge of stomach contents. The patient may hyperventilate (breathe rapidly and deeply) and salivate before vomiting begins. Patients should consult a physician immediately if there is blood in the vomitus (expelled stomach contents).

Other symptoms associated with vomiting depend upon the cause. Gastrointestinal infection would also cause fever, muscle pain, and diarrhea. Patients with peptic ulcer, intestinal blockage, cholecystitis or pancreatitis (inflammation of the gall bladder or pancreas) would experience abdominal pain. Meningitis symptoms include neck stiffness, headache, vision changes, and changes in mental processes.

Diagnosis

Vomiting may be diagnosed by an internal medicine specialist or a gastroenterologist. A detailed medical history will be taken and will include specifics about the vomiting including frequency, a description of the vomitus, duration, how soon after meals vomiting occurs, and any other symptoms. The history alone can help the physician to narrow down the cause to a few choices. The patient's abdomen will be palpated (felt with the hands) to detect any abnormalities. Vital signs will be taken to identify any abnormalities in heart rate, blood pressure, or temperature.

Although the medical history and physical exam is usually sufficient to determine the cause of vomiting, certain laboratory tests may also be performed. Blood tests may be performed to check for dehydration (decreased water), anemia (decreased number of red blood cells or iron-poor blood), and electrolyte (blood chemicals) imbalances, as well as specific tests to confirm the suspected diagnosis.

In some cases, more advanced testing may be required. These include x rays, endoscopy (a thin, wand-like camera used to visualize internal organs), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound (using sound waves to visualize internal organs), and computed tomography (CT) scanning. In addition, there are tests that measure stomach emptying and the pressure and motility of the stomach and intestine.

Treatment

Alternative treatments can be effective in treating vomiting, but not the underlying cause. A physician should be consulted if vomiting is recurrent and/or lasts for more than a few days.

Dietary Changes

The best dietary approach is to eat foods that can be quickly cleared from the stomach. Foods that are high in fat are slow to digest and place the patient at risk for additional vomiting. Ingestion of a low-fat, predominately liquid diet taken in frequent small meals can help relieve vomiting. Dry soda crackers are a good choice when nausea sets in. After vomiting, the patient should not eat for one hour, after which small servings of broth, bread, or flat soda may be taken. It is important to replenish the fluids lost by vomiting. Juice therapists recommend drinking a juice made from fresh ginger, apples, and carrots. Supplementation with vitamin B₆ was found to reduce the symptoms of morning sickness in pregnant women.

Herbals

The herbs that are effective in relieving nausea and vomiting include:

• apple tree (Pyrus malus) bark tea
• bergamot (Monarda citriodora) tea
• black horehound (Ballota nigra) infusion
• codonopsis (Codonopsis pilosula) decoction
• galangal (Alpinia officinarum) infusion
• ginger (Zingiber officinale) infusion or crystallized
• lemongrass (Cymbogen citratus) oil or tea
• nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) capsules
• turmeric (Curcuma longa) infusion

Chinese Medicine

Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine use acupuncture, ear acupuncture, herbals, and patent medicines in the treatment of vomiting. The following herbals may be made into soups, which are sipped frequently: Lu Gen (Rhizoma phragmitis); Zhu Ru (Caulis bambusae in taeniis), Bai Mao Gen (Rhizoma imperatae), and Pi Pa Ye (Folium eriobotryae); and Huo Xiang (Herba agastachis) and Pei Lan (Herba eupatorii). Placing a drop of Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma zingiberis recens) on the tongue can check vomiting. Patent medicines used to treat vomiting include: Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Wan (Agastache Pill to Rectify Qi), Yu Shu Dan (Jade Pivot Pill), Zuo Jin Wan (Left Metal Pill), and Bao He Wan (Preserve Harmony Pill).

Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies are chosen based upon the specific set of symptoms displayed by the patient. Ipecac is chosen for strong nausea and vomiting. Bismuth or Phosphorous is indicated when vomiting is caused primarily by liquids. Nux vomica is recommended when vomiting is caused by emotional stress and for patients with heartburn, nausea, and retching. Tabacum is indicated for vomiting caused by motion. Veratrum album is indicated for the patient with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Arsenicum is recommended for the patient with violent vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, exhaustion, restlessness, and thirst. Bryonia is recommended for gastroenteritis (inflammation of the lining of the gastrointestinal system).

Ayurveda

Ayurvedic practitioners believe that vomiting is caused by high pitta in the stomach. Remedies for vomiting are:

• yogurt containing cardamon and honey
• warm milk containing cardamon and nutmeg
• tea prepared from cumin seeds and nutmeg
• fresh pineapple juice (1 cup with a pinch of ginger and black pepper and 0.5 tsp sugar) three times during a day of fasting
• water containing 10 drops lime juice, 0.5 tsp sugar, and 0.25 tsp baking soda
• cardamon seeds (chewed)
• ginger juice and onion juice (1 tsp each)
• water containing rose petal powder (0.5 tsp), sandalwood powder (0.25 tsp), rock candy powder (0.5 tsp), and lime juice (10 drops)

Other Treatments

Various other treatments for vomiting include:

• Aromatherapy. The essential oil of peppermint is a traditional cure for vomiting.
• Acupressure. The acupressure points P5 and P6 located on the inner forearms are effective in treating vomiting. A wristband (Sea-Band) has been proven to be effective in reducing nausea and vomiting.
• Acupuncture. A National Institutes of Health consensus panel found that acupuncture is an effective treatment for chemotherapy and postoperative vomiting. A few people, however, experience nausea as a side effect of acupuncture.
• Behavioral interventions. Behavioral therapies such as desensitization, distraction, imagery, relaxation, and self-hypnosis have been shown to be effective in treating chemotherapy-induced vomiting.
• Hydrotherapy. Stomach upsets may be treated by drinking a glass of water containing activated charcoal powder.
• Reflexology. The reflex points solar plexus, chest, lung, diaphragm, esophagus, liver, stomach, gallbladder and thyroid, and pituitary and adrenal gland on the feet may help treat vomiting.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS, which is a treatment where a mild electrical current is passed through electrodes on the skin to stimulate nerves and block pain signals). TENS can be effective in reducing postoperative vomiting.

Allopathic Treatment

Treatment of vomiting depends upon the cause and severity but may include dietary changes, medications, and surgery. Replacement of lost fluids is an important component of treatment. Hospitalization may be required in some cases. Surgery may be needed to treat inflammatory conditions (such as cholecystitis) and physical abnormalities (such as blockage).

Medications used to treat vomiting are called antiemetics. Scopolamine, dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), and hyoscine are used to treat motion sickness; promethazine (Mepergan, Phenergan) is used to treat postoperative nausea; meclizine (Antivert, Bonine) is used to treat inner ear inflammation; and prochlorperazine (Compazine) is used for gastroenteritis, postoperative toxins, radiation, medications, and other causes of vomiting. Other medications that target the underlying cause of the vomiting may be used.

Newer drugs that have been developed to treat postoperative or postchemotherapy nausea and vomiting include ondansetron (Zofran) and granisetron (Kytril). Another treatment that has been found to lower the risk of nausea after surgery is intravenous administration of supplemental fluid before the operation.

Expected Results

Most cases of vomiting resolve spontaneously. Complications of vomiting include dehydration, malnutrition, weight loss, and abnormalities of blood chemicals (including electrolytes, pH, and potassium). Vomiting by unconscious patients can lead to aspiration (inhalation of stomach contents), which can affect the lungs.

Prevention

Antiemetic drugs are effective at preventing vomiting. Some alternative treatments are effective at reducing nausea, which may prevent vomiting.

Resources

Books

Cummings, Stephen and Dana Ullman. Everybody's Guide to Homeopathic Medicines: Safe and Effective Remedies for You and Your Family. 3rd. edition. New York, NY: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam, 1997.

"Functional Vomiting." Section 3, Chapter 21 in The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, edited by Mark H. Beers, MD, and Robert Berkow, MD. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories, 2002.

Hasler, William L. Approach to the Patient with Nausea and Vomiting. Textbook of Gastroenterology. 3rd edition, edited by Tadataka Yamada, et al. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1999.

Reichenberg-Ullman, Judyth and Robert Ullman. Homeopathic Self-Care: The Quick and Easy Guide for the Whole Family. Rockland, CA: Prima Publishing, 1997.

Ying, Zhou Zhong and Jin Hui De. Vomiting. Clinical Manual of Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture. New York: Churchill Livingston, 1997.

Periodicals

Ali, S. Z., A. Taguchi, B. Holtmann, and A. Kurz. "Effect of Supplemental Pre-Operative Fluid on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting." Anaesthesia 58 (August 2003): 780–784.

Cepeda, M. S., J. T. Farrar, M. Baumgarten, et al. "Side Effects of Opioids During Short-Term Administration: Effect of Age, Gender, and Race." Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 74 (August 2003): 102–112.

Chung, A., L. Bui, and E. Mills. "Adverse Effects of Acupuncture. Which Are Clinically Significant?" Canadian Family Physician 49 (August 2003): 985–989.

O'Brien, C. M., G. Titley, and P. Whitehurst. "A Comparison of Cyclizine, Ondansetron and Placebo as Prophylaxis Against Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Children." Anaesthesia 58 (July 2003): 707–711.

Quinla, J. D., and D. A. Hill. "Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy." American Family Physician 68 (July 1, 2003): 121–128.

Ratnaike, R. N. "Acute and Chronic Arsenic Toxicity." Postgraduate Medical Journal 79 (July 2003): 391–396.

Tan, M. "Granisetron: New Insights Into Its Use for the Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting." Expert Opinion in Pharmacotherapy 4 (September 2003): 1563–1571.

Tiwari, A., S. Chan, A. Wong, et al. "Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Hong Kong: Patients' Experiences." Nursing Outlook 51 (September-October 2003): 212–219.

Walling, Anne D. "Ginger Relieves Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy." American Family Physician 64 (November 15, 2001): 1745.

Organizations

American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). 7910 Woodmont Ave., 7th Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814. (310) 654-2055. http://www.gastro.org/index.html. aga001@aol.com.

[Article by: Belinda Rowland; Rebecca J. Frey, PhD]

For more information on vomiting, visit Britannica.com.

A reflex ejection of the stomach contents through the mouth. It is a common symptom of gastrointestinal infections, abdominal disorders, and a number of diseases. Fluid loss from vomiting can cause dehydration.