Read about the common causes of vomiting in kids and adults and find home remedies for coping with vomiting. Vomiting is caused as a result of triggers sensed by the nerves of the body on account of infections, food poisoning and medications. Vomiting is often preceded by nausea, though it may not occur always. Despite the fact that kids may not be able to describe nausea symptoms, they might indicate the occurrence of a
stomach ache or other symptoms common to nausea and vomiting.
Why is Vomiting Beneficial at Times?
Often, vomiting is beneficial for the body as it is a means to get rid of the adverse substances that cause anomalies in the body. It must be noted that methods such as fingering the throat and medicines to trigger vomiting are no longer considered appropriate. Hence, they must be avoided.
Causes of Vomiting in Kids
Vomiting in kids may be induced due to a variety of reasons. For example, Gastroenteritis, commonly known as Stomach Flu is one of the primary reasons that account for vomiting. Stomach flu results due to ingestion of bacteria and viruses. Vomiting and nausea may also be caused due to food allergies. Typical food items that cause allergies in children are soy, eggs, milk, peanuts, shellfish, tree nuts and wheat.
In case your child is infected by swine flu, ear infections or seasonal flu, he or she might be prone to vomiting. When undercooked foods such as meat or milk products that are kept outside for a long time are ingested, they cause food poisoning in kids or adults. Symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal ache etc.
Tips to Deal with Vomiting
Vomiting can be partially controlled even if medical treatment is not available immediately. Vomiting due to indigestion can be done away with by making the concerned child smell a lemon. At times, ingesting a glass of lime juice is also a good idea. Since vomiting is accompanied with dehydration, make sure that your kid takes fluids and water from time to time. For this, you can make him or her have fruit juices that help replenish the lost vitamins, nutrients, minerals and electrolytes of the body.
Oral rehydration solutions also help boost the electrolyte concentration in the blood stream. If your child does not want to have lime juice, make him or her have a glass of hot water containing two spoonful of honey. Nausea and vomiting may be averted if a teaspoon of mint and lime mixed with half a teaspoon of ginger juice is ingested by the affected child.
Foods that Should be Avoided when Vomiting
Solid foods must not be ingested until 6 hours have been passed since the last round of vomiting. After 6 hours, the concerned child may have easily digestible foods such as mild soups, broths, mashed potatoes, crackers or toast. If the child shows no negative reactions to these foods, you may make him have rice, cereals, rice and foods rich in starch, proteins, and carbohydrates. However, one must avoid food items rich of fats and spices.
A Few More Things to Keep in Mind
If your child has been vomiting for some time now, you must keep him or her away from strong fragrances, smoke and cooking odours. Kids must be kept away from flickering lights and over-stuffed rooms without proper ventilation as they increase the chance of vomiting and nausea. Medicines to prevent vomiting that are most commonly known as “antiemetic” must not be given to kids or infants without prior approval of a practicing doctor.
To sum it up, vomiting can be treated without requiring medication if certain steps are followed. However, if the child shows symptoms such as dehydration, vomiting with blood exudations, vomiting with fever or abdominal pain, chest pain, fainting or blurred vision, one must seek medical help. Dehydration for example often follows vomiting and nausea attacks. So watch out for symptoms such as sunken eyes, dry lips or intense breathing in your child. Consult the physician under such circumstances.
What are the common causes of vomiting? Which home remedies are effective for treating vomiting? Is vomiting a signs of any serious health disorder? Discuss here.