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Treatment of vomiting and abdominal pain in adults and children
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

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Abdominal pain and vomiting are just symptoms that indicate something is wrong and require medical consultation and examination, since only a specific disease can be treated, not its manifestation.
However, in most cases, such symptoms are caused by various food poisonings or mild intestinal infections, which we often cope with ourselves at home, without going to the doctor. So what to do if you have a stomach ache and vomiting? It is better not to take risks and, if the patient does not feel better within two or three hours, call an ambulance.
The patient must be provided with rest, laying him down so that the head is significantly higher than the body (semi-sitting position). It is not recommended to give him painkillers (so as not to distort the symptoms) and in no case put a heating pad on the stomach, you can put a cold compress. The same applies to folk methods of treatment. You cannot wash the stomach or do an enema before the ambulance arrives. Do not try to feed or water. If there is a strong thirst, you can wet your lips or rinse your mouth. If the pain is very strong, you are allowed to give a No-shpa tablet and be sure to tell the doctor about it.
If necessary, the patient will undergo urgent surgery, in doubtful cases he will be placed under observation in a surgical hospital for several days. If severe pathologies are detected, the patient will be hospitalized in the appropriate department, in milder cases - outpatient treatment will be prescribed.
Medicines for abdominal pain and vomiting are prescribed depending on the diagnosis.
The main means for treating intestinal infections (food poisoning) are rehydration solutions, which help to replenish the loss of water and electrolytes that occur during vomiting and diarrhea. The solutions contain sodium and potassium salts, sometimes extracts of medicinal plants or cereal decoctions. Pharmaceutical solutions have a balanced composition of the necessary elements, they are diluted according to the attached instructions. The temperature of the solution for administration should be close to the patient's body temperature. For oral administration, you can use Regidron, Normogidron, Glucosolan, Citroglucosolan and others.
Enterosorbents are also used to neutralize microbial toxins, for example:
- Enterosgel, the main active component of which is methylsilicic acid, absorbs toxic components from the stomach cavity without affecting the beneficial components of the gastric flora (digestive enzymes).
- Polysorb is a silicon dioxide-based sorbent that works to remove toxic substances not only from the gastrointestinal tract, but also, due to their concentration and osmotic gradients, removes toxins circulating in the body's physiological fluids into the stomach, binding them there and eliminating them.
The drug Smecta acts as an enterosorbent and protector of the epithelial surface lining the digestive tract. As an active ingredient, it contains double aluminum and magnesium silicate of stereometric structure. It protects the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract from the aggressive effects of toxic substances due to its high enveloping and binding capacity.
The disturbed microflora of the gastrointestinal tract is restored with the help of probiotics Lactobacterin, Bifidobacterin.
Complex preparation Laktofiltrum with two active substances: sorbent - hydrolytic lignin, absorbing various toxins, as well as excess toxic metabolic products; prebiotic lactulose, normalizing intestinal microflora, since it is a nutrient medium for lacto- and bifidobacteria, the reproduction of which inhibits the development of pathogenic microorganisms.
Antibiotics are rarely prescribed for intestinal infections, cholera, dysentery and giardiasis, and the presence of blood in the feces.
There are many diseases accompanied by abdominal pain and vomiting, and in their treatment, drugs from different groups are used - hepatoprotectors that restore damaged liver cells (Essentiale, Phosphogliv, Rezalut Pro), choleretic agents (Cikvalon, Ursofalk, Osalmid), drugs that have a complex effect - increasing the outflow of bile and restoring liver cells (Gepabene, Hofitol), enzymatic (Pancreatin, Festal), anticholinergic and antihistamine and many others depending on the diagnosis.
Vitamins are necessarily included in the therapeutic regimen, since during the process of vomiting the body loses many useful substances, and in diseases of the digestive organs their absorption and production is disrupted.
Physiotherapeutic procedures are used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the digestive organs, in the rehabilitation period after operations (drug electrophoresis, inductothermy, UHF, galvanization, electrosleep, mud therapy). For example, laser therapy has proven itself well after surgery on the pancreas for acute pancreatitis.
Physiotherapy treatment is prescribed by a doctor individually, based on the diagnostic conclusion and contraindications.
Folk remedies
Folk remedies are used if the causes of abdominal pain and vomiting are precisely known.
For example, during an exacerbation of gastritis and peptic ulcer, you can drink a decoction of flax seeds. At night, brew two teaspoons of seeds with a glass of boiling water. Do not strain. Drink this portion in three doses during the day, 1/3 of a glass. Stir before use so that there are seeds in each portion.
Pancreatitis, acute and chronic, is recommended to be treated with chicory. For this purpose, ordinary ground chicory without additives is suitable. It is better to drink a drink from it before meals, several times a day constantly. This will stimulate the production of digestive enzymes. But with such treatment, it is imperative to follow a diet, otherwise there will be no result.
For stomach pain and vomiting of neurotic origin, herbal treatment is recommended. For example, fireweed has calming and disinfectant properties, in addition, a decoction of this plant is used to treat diseases of the digestive system. A decoction of fireweed leaves is prepared as follows: take a tablespoon of dry plant material, pour boiling water in the volume of a glass, boil over low heat for five minutes, leave to cool naturally (for about an hour), filter and take ½ glass before meals in the morning and evening. You can have breakfast or dinner in 20 minutes.
Viburnum berry infusion: the main ingredient in the amount of five tablespoons is mashed to a puree state, brewed with boiling water (700 ml). Leave to infuse for four hours. Strain thoroughly. Take half an hour before each of the four meals.
For liver diseases, a decoction of whole oat grains is useful: pour 150 g of washed oat grains into boiling water (1.5 l), simmer over a tiny fire for 20 minutes, turn off the fire and put in a warm place to infuse for three hours. Strain. Drink for a two-week course before meals three times a day, two glasses (the dose is approximate, you can reduce it a little). You can eat an hour after taking it.
Oatmeal jelly is also cooked. There are many recipes for this dish, it is a treasure trove of vitamins, minerals and is useful not only for the digestive organs, but also for the heart, blood vessels, and immune system.
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Homeopathy
Homeopathy can help in cases where surgical treatment is not required, however, the decision to consult a homeopathic doctor does not exclude a thorough modern examination and the establishment of a correct diagnosis.
In conditions accompanied by abdominal pain and vomiting, various drugs are used. Symptomatically, such conditions may correspond to:
Aconitum (Aconite), Arnica (Mountain Aconite), Belladonna (Belladonna) – pain and vomiting of traumatic origin;
Arsenicum album (white arsenic) – prescribed for stomach ulcers, acute poisoning from poor-quality food products;
Bismuth subnitricum (basic bismuth nitrate) – morning vomiting with pain radiating to the back;
Bryonia alba (White bryony), Chamomilla (Chamomile) - prescribed for vomiting bile;
Iris (Iris Variegated) – for pathologies of the pancreas;
Mercurius corrosivus (corrosive sublimate, living silver), Mercurius cyanatus (Cyanide mercury) - for gastric bleeding and vomiting of blood;
Ipecac (poison rhizome), Rhus toxicodendron (poison sumac) – central vomiting;
Phosphoric acidum (Phosoric acid) – abdominal pain and vomiting of psychogenic nature;
Cresotum (Beech tar), Veratrum album (White hellebore), Bryonia alba (White bryony) – appendicitis, peritonitis, hepatic colic.
Of the pharmacy combination drugs for acute poisoning, digestive system pathologies, detoxification and restoration of normal digestion, we can recommend the drug Nux-Vomica Homaccord. In addition to the main homeopathic remedy for the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract Nux Vomica (Chilibukha emetica), the drug contains:
- Bryonia (White Bryony) - as a symptomatic remedy for headaches, dizziness, difficulty breathing, cough, vomiting, liver pain and heaviness in the stomach;
- Lycopodium (Club moss) – normalization of the digestive process;
- Colocynthus (Bitter Gourd) – relieves spasms, pain, cramps, eliminates vomiting.
From the age of six, a single dose of the drug is ten drops diluted in a teaspoon of water. Children under two years of age are given three drops, 2-5 full years - five. A portion of the drug is dissolved under the tongue three times a day. As an option for taking - a daily dose is diluted in half a glass of water. It should be drunk in three doses every eight hours, holding it in the mouth for some time.
To relieve acute symptoms, a single dose can be taken every quarter of an hour for the first two hours.
The drug is taken before meals (15 minutes) or an hour after.
For more effective detoxification, the drug can be combined with Lymphomyosot, Renel N and other drugs depending on the patient’s condition.
Attacks of pain and vomiting of psychogenic nature are relieved by Ignatius Gommacord drops. They contain different homeopathic potencies of two ingredients: plant - tincture of St. Ignatius beans (Ignatia), and animal - musk of the musk deer (Moschus).
This composition has a calming effect, relieves uncertainty, anxiety, increases emotional and mental stability. The patient does not feel painful spasms, vomiting and other somatic manifestations. Metabolic processes in brain cells are activated.
Not prescribed for allergies to the ingredients of the drug and children under two years of age. Expectant mothers and women during lactation should use only as prescribed by a doctor.
The drug is taken before three meals at least 20 minutes or an hour later, dissolving a single dose in a spoon of clean water. Swallow the portion, holding it in the mouth for some time. It is recommended to dose as follows: children from two years of age to five full years - 5-7 drops; from six to eleven years old - 7-10 drops; patients over 12 years old - ten drops. A monthly course of treatment is recommended; treatment can be extended only after a doctor's prescription.
Homeopathic drops and tablets Galstena have the ability to restore damaged liver tissue, normalize its function, eliminate pain, relieve inflammation and increase the outflow of bile.
Taking the drug is a good prevention of cholelithiasis.
The preparation contains natural substances of plant (Dandelion, Milk Thistle, Greater Celandine) and mineral (Sodium Sulfate and Phosphorus) origin.
It is indicated for use in acute and chronic inflammatory processes in the liver, pancreas and gall bladder, in drug intoxication, and also in recovery after operations on these organs.
There is no age limit for taking the drops, they are given to children from birth. Suitable for long-term use. Pregnant women can take it as prescribed by a doctor. Contraindicated for people suffering from chronic alcoholism, as well as sensitized patients.
The drug is taken sublingually half an hour before or an hour after meals. Infants are given one drop, children aged 1-4 full years are prescribed two to four drops, 5-11 years - five to seven drops, patients aged 12 and older - ten drops at a time. Acute conditions are relieved by giving a single dose at intervals of half an hour to an hour, however, such administration is permissible no more than four times. Then they switch to taking the drug three times a day.
Tablets are given from the age of one year. Children aged 1-4 full years are given a quarter of a tablet, 5-11 years - half, patients aged 12 years and older - a whole tablet at a time. Acute conditions are relieved by giving a single dose at intervals of half an hour to an hour, however, such a dose is permissible no more than four times. Then they switch to taking one or two doses per day.
Surgical treatment
Abdominal pain and vomiting are signs of conditions related to the "acute abdomen" syndrome and require emergency surgery. Patients with such symptoms are hospitalized in the surgical department. In patients in serious condition, they try to restore vital signs of the body's functioning before surgery, however, in case of massive blood loss, preoperative preparation is not carried out.
Emergency surgery is performed in acute cases:
- appendicitis;
- perforation of ulcers, hollow organs;
- mechanical obstruction caused by tumors, intestinal volvulus, strangulated hernia, etc.;
- destructive cholecystitis;
- diverticulitis;
- hemorrhagic pancreatitis;
- mesenteric vascular occlusion;
- peritonitis;
- abscessing salpingitis;
- ovarian apoplexy;
- ruptured ectopic pregnancy;
- bleeding from the stomach or intestines;
- anorectal hemorrhages;
- tumors of intra-abdominal organs;
- blunt trauma with damage to the digestive organs;
- penetrating injuries of the peritoneum and retroperitoneal space.