Vomiting after eating

Vomiting is a protective physiological reaction of the body, it is not a disease in itself, but only indicates the development of pathology. Vomiting can be caused by various disorders in the body, including diseases of the digestive system, poisoning, head injuries, and even oncology, but in any case, vomiting after eating indicates a malfunction in the body.

Epidemiology

Vomiting after eating is often caused by intoxication (poisoning with various substances, medications, ethyl alcohol, etc.), the entry of toxins into the blood due to various diseases (chronic renal or heart failure, carbohydrate metabolism disorders, acute infectious diseases).

Less often, vomiting appears after traumatic brain injury or stroke.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ]

Causes post-meal vomiting

The most common cause of vomiting after eating is gastrointestinal diseases, in which case, in addition to vomiting, you may experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, etc.

Vomiting after eating may occur with the development of peptic ulcer disease, cancerous tumors of the stomach or brain, dysfunction of the gallbladder, pancreas, head injuries (concussion, severe bruises, etc.), infectious diseases of the central nervous system (encephalitis, meningitis), food or alcohol poisoning, stress, severe psychological stress. In each case, vomiting is not the only symptom and is only a consequence of the development of some pathology.

In addition, vomiting may occur in case of overeating, especially after the abuse of fatty foods.

[ 6 ], [ 7 ]

Risk factors

Since vomiting after eating is a consequence of a malfunction in the body, risk factors can include the causes of certain diseases.

Improper nutrition and stress can provoke problems with the digestive system, and alcohol abuse can cause alcohol poisoning and, as a consequence, vomiting.

[ 8 ], [ 9 ]

Pathogenesis

The act of vomiting has three stages: nausea, gagging and vomiting.

Nausea often occurs before vomiting (but not always), at this stage there are strong unpleasant sensations in the stomach or throat, the tone of the stomach muscles decreases, while the activity of the muscles of the small intestine increases.

When you feel the urge to vomit, the muscles of the diaphragm, respiration (when inhaling), and the anterior wall of the peritoneum (when exhaling) actively contract.

Vomiting is a complex process in which involuntary reflexes occur. When vomiting, there is an active contraction of the muscles of the peritoneum, diaphragm, a decrease in the tone of the muscles of the bottom of the stomach, the esophageal valve opens and the contents of the stomach are pushed out through the esophagus into the oral cavity.

During vomiting, the airways are closed to prevent the movement of vomit into the respiratory system.

There are two mechanisms of vomiting:

1. Transmission of impulses directly to the vomiting center (from the vestibular apparatus, gastrointestinal tract, biliary tract, coronary arteries, pharynx, hypothalamus, etc.).
2. Stimulation of the chemoreceptor trigger area, which sends signals and activates the vomiting center (in this case, stimulation can be caused by drugs, low oxygen levels in the body, uremia, radiation therapy, gram-positive bacteria that produce toxins, etc.).

[ 10 ], [ 11 ], [ 12 ], [ 13 ]

Symptoms post-meal vomiting

In most cases, vomiting is preceded by nausea, excessive salivation, rapid breathing, and weakness.

In some diseases, vomiting and nausea may be preceded by pain (headache, stomach pain), bowel upset (most often diarrhea), and dizziness.

Nausea and vomiting after eating

Nausea and vomiting after eating can occur for various reasons, quite often this condition occurs after eating poor quality food, overdosing on medications, high blood pressure, stress.

The nature of the vomit can indicate the cause that provoked it, for example, a yellow-green color, a bile taste in the mouth may indicate food poisoning or an intestinal infection (in addition to vomiting, fever and diarrhea appear). Fever and diarrhea with vomiting can also be associated with inflammation of the appendix.

If you regularly experience nausea and vomiting after eating fatty, salty foods, smoked foods, you should consult a gastroenterologist and undergo the necessary examination, since in this case nausea may be a symptom of the development of a serious disease of the digestive organs.

Vomiting an hour after eating

Vomiting an hour after eating may occur with some diseases.

Most often, this condition is observed in diseases of the digestive organs (pancreatitis, cirrhosis, cholecystitis, etc.); in addition to vomiting, loss of appetite, belching (sometimes with a specific odor), and bloating may be observed.

Temperature and vomiting after eating

Often, when immunity is reduced, a combination of symptoms of different diseases is observed, for example, with iron deficiency anemia and high temperature, there is an excessive increase in blood pressure, which causes vomiting.

But vomiting after eating and fever can also be symptoms of food poisoning or intestinal flu.

Food poisoning is caused by food or drinks that have expired or have been stored in improper conditions. The poisoning appears several hours after eating, the first symptoms are nausea, vomiting, temperature, fever. Another characteristic symptom of food poisoning is diarrhea.

Intestinal flu or rotavirus infection is characterized by rapid development, symptoms of the disease are high temperature, vomiting, diarrhea.

Vomiting immediately after eating

Nausea and vomiting after eating may be associated with overeating, in which case it is recommended to take enzyme preparations (Mezim, Festal, etc.).

Another reason for vomiting immediately after eating may be gastrointestinal diseases (ulcers, gastritis, etc.).

If nausea and vomiting occur after eating fried, fatty, smoked foods, the cause may be improper functioning of the liver or pancreas.

Hypertension can also provoke vomiting after eating, most often attacks occur in the first half of the day.

Constant vomiting after eating

Feeling of nausea, constant vomiting after eating can be a symptom of the development of diseases of the digestive system, most often in the acute stage, most often this is associated with the development of gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis, etc.

If such symptoms bother you after every meal, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible to avoid more serious consequences.

Sometimes, nausea or vomiting are associated with taking medications and are a side effect of the body during treatment, in this case you should also contact your doctor and report this, perhaps he will decide to change the drug.

[ 14 ], [ 15 ]

Diarrhea and vomiting after eating

Diarrhea and vomiting after eating can occur as a result of toxic substances, pathogenic microorganisms entering the body, the development of a tumor or anomalies of the vestibular apparatus, as well as overeating, allergic reactions to food or medications.

Intestinal infections occur due to the consumption of poor quality food (expired products, products manufactured in violation of sanitary standards, etc.) or water from contaminated sources.

Diarrhea and vomiting, especially if these two symptoms occur at the same time, can pose a major health risk to a person because dehydration is possible.

[ 16 ], [ 17 ]

Belching with vomiting after eating

The main reason for belching is the involuntary entry of air into the stomach, which often happens during rapid chewing and swallowing, talking while eating, when drinking carbonated drinks, etc.

Stomach problems can also cause belching. In some cases, in addition to belching, a number of other unpleasant symptoms occur - pain, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting.

Belching and vomiting after eating often occur due to certain products that the body does not accept. With age, difficulties with digesting dairy products such as kefir, cottage cheese, milk are often observed, which is associated with a decrease in the level of enzymes required to process these products.

Strong coffee on an empty stomach, alcohol abuse, sour foods, canned food (especially with increased acidity), and mushrooms can also cause nausea, belching, and vomiting. Most often, unpleasant symptoms in this case are associated with individual food intolerance or enzyme deficiency.

Another cause of belching and vomiting after eating may be diseases of the digestive organs: damage to the lower esophagus, inflammation of the gastric mucosa, impaired motor function, diseases of the pancreas, gallbladder, and peptic ulcer.

Less often, belching with vomiting is observed in diseases that do not relate to the digestive organs. For example, dizziness, nausea, belching, vomiting can bother with damage to the nervous system. Most often, such symptoms are associated with past infections, brain injuries.

[ 18 ], [ 19 ], [ 20 ], [ 21 ], [ 22 ]

Heartburn and vomiting after eating

Heartburn is one of the most unpleasant sensations that can occur with various diseases. When complaining of heartburn and vomiting, doctors, first of all, suspect gastritis, but to identify the exact cause, a comprehensive examination is required.

Heartburn and vomiting after eating most often occur with an ulcer of the esophagus; with this disease, an increase in unpleasant symptoms occurs in a lying position or when bending over.

Heartburn is accompanied by a bursting sensation, a feeling of pressure in the epigastrium, nausea, pain, a bitter taste in the mouth, and increased gas formation is also often observed.

Heartburn usually appears after overeating or if you take a "lying down" position immediately after eating. Most often, this symptom appears in those who like to snack "on the run", with poor and rapid chewing of food, with the consumption of large quantities of sweets, fatty foods, and spices.

Obesity, nicotine or alcohol addiction, stress, certain medications, tight clothing – these and other factors can trigger heartburn and vomiting after eating. This condition often bothers women who are pregnant.

Heartburn and nausea in the morning, especially if the symptoms occur daily, may indicate inflammation of the gallbladder, gastritis, peptic ulcer, as well as problems with the vestibular apparatus.

As you can see, there are quite a few reasons for heartburn and vomiting after eating, and only a specialist can determine the exact causes.

Vomiting bile after eating

Greenish-yellow vomit indicates bile entering the vomit.

Bile is a special liquid necessary for the normal process of digestion of food and promotes the absorption of fats. Normally, the contents of the stomach enter the small intestine, where it mixes with bile, the reverse movement of food is prevented by the pyloric valve, if for some reason the valve is open, then the contents of the small intestine return to the stomach and esophagus along with bile.

There are many reasons for valve dysfunction, including intestinal obstruction, bile reflux, alcohol poisoning, gastroenteritis, food poisoning, pyloric stenosis, the effects of certain medications, diseases of the biliary tract or pancreas, circulatory disorders, CNS diseases, and severe emotional shocks.

Sometimes vomiting with bile after eating can also bother pregnant women.

It is quite easy to understand that vomit contains bile - the vomit acquires a characteristic bitter taste, in this case it is better to refuse self-medication and contact a specialist who will help to establish the exact cause of vomiting and prescribe treatment.

Vomiting after eating without fever

The occurrence of vomiting after eating, without other symptoms (temperature, diarrhea, etc.) may indicate overeating. In such cases, specialists recommend taking enzyme preparations, drinking carbonated water. Another cause of vomiting may be food - fatty, fried, smoked, especially in large quantities, in which case there may be problems with the pancreas or liver.

Also, vomiting after eating can be associated with the development of gastrointestinal diseases - peptic ulcer, gastritis, pancreatitis, etc.

People suffering from high blood pressure often experience vomiting attacks after eating, usually in the morning. For treatment, specialists can prescribe drugs to normalize blood pressure.

If vomiting does not stop for more than a day, you should seek medical help. During treatment, you should stop smoking, drinking coffee, strong tea, hot dishes, and juices. It is recommended to drink mineral water without gas in this condition.

If a child starts vomiting, even if there are no other symptoms, it is better to immediately consult a doctor and find out what caused this condition.

It is worth noting that even in this state you should eat, it is best to give preference to light dishes that do not overload the digestive system - porridge on water, low-fat chicken broth.

Vomiting blood after eating

Vomiting with bright red impurities indicates bleeding in the esophagus; dark color of vomit is caused by the change in blood under the influence of digestive juices and indicates prolonged bleeding.

There are many reasons for vomiting blood:

• damage to the mucous membrane of the stomach, esophagus
• varicose veins of the stomach walls (bright red blood in the vomit indicates fresh bleeding, which usually closes quickly; dark vomit is a sign of slow and prolonged bleeding and possible serious consequences)
• advanced stage peptic ulcer
• cirrhosis
• acute gastritis
• internal bleeding (vomit contains black blood clots).

Children may also vomit blood after nosebleeds - children may swallow blood, which provokes vomiting. In pregnant women, a similar condition may be observed with late toxicosis; in addition to blood in the vomit, the woman is bothered by weakness, swelling, and high blood pressure.

Vomiting blood after eating in any case requires urgent medical advice; if blood is detected in the vomit (dark, bright red, clots, etc.), you should immediately consult a doctor to prevent possible complications.

Vomiting mucus after eating

Vomiting after eating with mucus most often occurs with poisoning. The body's reaction to poor-quality products, pathogenic bacteria or toxic substances develops rapidly. Mucus in vomit appears because the contents of the duodenum, due to the proliferation of harmful bacteria and the release of toxins, enter the stomach, the mucous membrane of which is unable to cope with caustic digestive juices; in some cases, in addition to mucus, foam or blood appears.

Vomiting with mucus occurs when alkalis, acids, viral infections, flu, erosive processes enter the stomach. Mucus may also appear with gastritis, which has taken a severe or chronic form, in which case vomiting occurs when the diet is violated or stressful conditions. If a person is subject to constant negative emotions, a spasm of the gallbladder is possible, as a result of which bile does not enter the duodenum and the process of digestion of food is disrupted - poorly digested food residues begin to rot in the intestines. After the spasm passes, the accumulated bile pours out into the intestines, the acids of which burn the valve between the stomach and intestines, and food residues enter the stomach - in this case, the vomit is greenish with mucus.

If vomiting with mucus bothers you only in the morning, this may indicate chronic bronchitis or alcohol intoxication. With bronchitis, mucus accumulates in the bronchi overnight, coughing fits in the morning can provoke vomiting, as a result of which mucus gets into the vomit.

If mucus appears during vomiting, you should seek medical help to determine the exact causes of the pathology and begin treatment.

During vomiting attacks, it is absolutely impossible to restrain yourself; after emptying the stomach, you need to go to bed and drink more liquids - still mineral water, saline solutions, sweet black tea to prevent dehydration. With frequent vomiting attacks, you can take antiemetic drugs (cerucal), but it is worth noting that vomiting is how the body gets rid of harmful toxins, so it is best to immediately consult a doctor.

Dizziness and vomiting after eating

Doctors identify about a hundred reasons for dizziness, nausea and vomiting that appear after meals, most of which do not pose a threat to health, for example, seasickness (motion sickness in transport), physical exhaustion.

Dizziness may occur after severe injuries, during migraine attacks, epilepsy, circulatory disorders, tumors, Meniere's disease (damage to the inner ear), and diseases of the vestibular apparatus. Vomiting after eating and dizziness are symptoms of various diseases or disorders, which makes diagnosis difficult. Self-medication is unacceptable when such symptoms appear.

Let's look at some of the reasons that can cause vomiting and dizziness:

• Meniere's disease - the causes of the pathology have not been studied enough, according to some versions the disease is caused by injuries or infections. As the disease develops, prolonged attacks of dizziness (up to several hours), nausea, vomiting, and hearing loss are observed. After 10-14 days, the symptoms of the disease pass, but after some time they reappear.
• vestibular neuritis - causes dizziness (usually occurs spontaneously), vomiting, panic attacks, imbalance, tilting the head provokes an increase in symptoms, in some cases there is congestion in the ears. The disease develops after respiratory diseases, but the exact causes have not yet been established.
• migraine - in addition to severe headaches, migraine attacks can provoke nausea and vomiting, loss of balance, dizziness, and photophobia. The disease is caused by a disruption in the blood supply to the brain, especially in the areas responsible for the functioning of the vestibular apparatus.
• hormonal changes – most often observed in women, since they are subject to hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause, and before each menstruation. The level of hormones especially affects the condition with iron deficiency in the body – low hemoglobin causes oxygen starvation of the brain, which is why dizziness occurs. During menopause, blood pressure surges, nervous excitability increases. During pregnancy, dizziness and vomiting (especially in the first months of pregnancy) are also caused by hormonal changes in the body, another reason for this condition may be low blood glucose levels and low blood pressure.

[ 23 ]

Coughing and vomiting after eating

Coughing and vomiting are quite rare, but such symptoms immediately cause great concern, both for the patient and for relatives. Experts note that some diseases of the upper respiratory tract can lead to such a condition.

Most often, coughing and vomiting after eating can bother with bronchitis, and also occur as a complication of pneumonia. It is worth noting that such symptoms are common in children and usually occur with a cold, but in any case, if such a symptom appears, you should immediately seek medical help and establish the true cause of coughing and vomiting.

Severe coughing fits leading to vomiting are associated with irritation of the receptors on the throat mucosa; this condition can occur with tracheitis, laryngitis, whooping cough, bronchitis, acute respiratory viral infections, runny nose, prolonged smoking, or the entry of a foreign object into the respiratory tract.

Coughing with vomiting against the background of a runny nose is especially often observed in newborns, since children of this age are not yet able to blow their nose normally and the mucus accumulated in the nose flows down the nasopharynx, irritates the mucous membrane and causes a coughing fit, leading to vomiting.

[ 24 ], [ 25 ], [ 26 ]

Artificial vomiting after eating

Vomiting, as already mentioned, is a protective reaction of the body to bacteria, toxins, harmful substances entering the gastrointestinal tract. But sometimes a person provokes vomiting himself, in this case they say that vomiting is artificial.

In some cases, artificial vomiting after eating can help save lives, for example, in cases of food poisoning, the faster the poison is removed from the body, the less harm it will cause.

But sometimes people deliberately induce vomiting after eating, most often they do this in order not to gain weight. This "recipe" for slimness is especially popular among girls who want to maintain an ideal figure and not torture themselves with strict diets. It is worth noting that this method of losing weight is quite effective, since after eating, the brain receives a signal of saturation, but after vomiting, the food that has not had time to be digested leaves the stomach, and calories leave with it.

But this method poses a serious danger to human health - with regular emptying of the stomach after eating, this becomes a habit for the body, and later even small portions of food provoke a gag reflex, resulting in the development of bulimia (a neuropsychiatric disorder expressed by an incessant feeling of hunger and weakness).

[ 27 ], [ 28 ], [ 29 ]

Losing weight by vomiting after eating

Most girls believe that losing weight quickly without much effort is an ideal option, so such a method as losing weight by vomiting after eating has become popular among the fair sex.

First of all, this method has earned its popularity due to its ease, i.e. girls do not need to torture themselves with strict diets, exercise, etc., it is enough to simply induce vomiting after eating and unnecessary calories will leave the body themselves, and as a result, a slim figure without effort.

But “vomiting weight loss” is extremely dangerous to health and causes not only physiological but also psychological disorders.

The desire to lose weight often leads girls to the point where they do not understand where slimness is and where painful exhaustion is. The first dangerous sign is an increase in portions, uncontrolled consumption of sweet or fatty foods, a constant feeling of hunger - all this precedes the development of a severe neuropsychiatric disorder.

Bulimia causes bouts of intense hunger, during which a person does not control the amount eaten, but after eating, a gag reflex occurs. This vicious circle is due to the fact that the stomach muscles can contract, and with regular vomiting after eating, the stomach walls become weak, stretch, resulting in a constant strong feeling of hunger. As a result, the girl begins to look like a skeleton covered in skin, with dull and brittle hair, flabby skin, crumbling teeth. Also, regular vomiting results in gastritis, the digestion process is disrupted, and an unpleasant odor appears from the mouth.

But often, even such a transformation does not stop girls, since vomiting after eating becomes uncontrollable and even the smell or sight of food can provoke a gag reflex, which is associated with the weakness of the stomach muscles.

At this stage of the disease, loss of appetite may begin and anorexia, complete physical exhaustion, failure of internal organs, cessation of the menstrual cycle, depressive disorders may develop, and often without the help of loved ones and doctors, the case ends in death.

It is worth noting that even in such cases, girls refuse help, and the recovery process takes months and even years; often, because of their desire to be slim, girls struggle with the consequences of the disease for the rest of their lives.

Vomiting after eating in a child

Young mothers often encounter such a frightening symptom as vomiting after eating in a baby. This condition is especially disturbing if there are no other symptoms - fever, abdominal pain, weakness, etc.

There are many reasons why a child vomits immediately or some time after eating, and parents should know the main ones in order to help their baby in a timely manner.

Natural vomiting can be associated with regular overeating, after force-feeding, eating very fatty foods. As a rule, in these cases vomiting is one-time, after emptying the stomach the child looks healthy, the general condition does not worsen.

In newborns, vomiting after feeding is associated with air entering the stomach - regurgitation helps not only to remove air bubbles, but also to improve the digestion process, as well as reduce colic. Normally, regurgitation should be in small quantities, but if the amount of vomit is too large, the child vomits "like a fountain", then this may indicate problems with the stomach, in which case you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Vomiting can also be caused by various diseases:

• chronic gastrointestinal diseases.
• rotavirus, intestinal infection (in addition to vomiting, there is a deterioration in health and high temperature).
• respiratory diseases (colds, bronchitis, etc.).
• brain tumors (the child is also bothered by severe headaches).
• meningitis, encephalitis (the child does not feel better after vomiting).
• acute appendicitis.
• food poisoning (expired, spoiled products, etc.).
• allergy.

If a child starts vomiting, you should immediately seek medical help, since it is almost impossible to independently determine the causes of such a condition - the same symptoms can be associated with a wide variety of diseases that cannot be diagnosed without laboratory tests and a specialist examination.

Complications and consequences

Vomiting is a protective process of the body, with the help of which harmful substances are removed from the stomach. With frequent vomiting, the body rapidly loses moisture, which leads to dehydration, disruption of the water-salt balance and other dangerous consequences.

Dehydration is extremely dangerous for the body, since water loss leads to irreversible consequences in all organs and systems, including the brain.

Gastric juice contains important microelements and minerals for the body, without which the work of all organs and systems is disrupted. Vomiting after eating has the most severe consequences for the body in cases of food poisoning and toxic infections. But even occasional vomiting associated with chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can lead to a disruption of the bacterial composition in the intestine, a lack of vitamins and microelements, a decrease in hemoglobin, disruption of the blood clotting process, and a weakening of the body's defenses - all these conditions are associated with a disruption in the synthesis of biologically active substances in the stomach.

[ 30 ], [ 31 ], [ 32 ]

Diagnostics post-meal vomiting

When determining the causes of vomiting, the specialist must find out the patient's medical history: whether vomiting is preceded by nausea, does vomiting occur immediately after eating or after some time, what illnesses were suffered, what medications were taken recently, how often and in what quantities alcohol is consumed, and in women, the menstrual cycle is determined (it is possible that pregnancy is the cause of vomiting).

During the examination, the doctor will identify some signs that can help in making a diagnosis:

• general condition, fever, sudden weight loss, yellowing of the skin;
• abdominal examination (identification of painful areas, palpable formations in the abdominal cavity);
• listening to the abdomen (helps to identify problems with organ function);
• determination of liver size by palpation;
• detection of diseases of the nervous system.

[ 33 ], [ 34 ]

Tests

Vomiting after eating can be associated with a variety of diseases, so it is important for a specialist to determine whether the patient should be urgently hospitalized for emergency care.

Depending on the clinical manifestations, blood tests (blood glucose levels, CRP in the blood serum) and urine tests may be prescribed.

If vomiting continues for a long time, a general blood test is also prescribed, as well as an analysis to determine the level of creatinine, sodium, potassium, digoxin, etc. in the blood serum.

[ 35 ], [ 36 ], [ 37 ], [ 38 ]

Instrumental diagnostics

Instrumental diagnostics are prescribed to confirm the preliminary diagnosis.

If a specialist suspects intestinal obstruction, an X-ray of the abdominal organs is prescribed; in case of prolonged vomiting, fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy (visual diagnostics of the mucous membrane of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine using an endoscope), ultrasound of the abdominal organs, neurological examination, and consultation with a psychiatrist (if eating disorders are suspected - bulimia, anorexia) are required to identify the causes of the disorder.

Differential diagnosis

When making a diagnosis, it is important to distinguish vomiting from regurgitation.

Regurgitation is the expulsion of food from the stomach without a preceding feeling of nausea, and there is also no contraction of the thoracoabdominal septum.

Regurgitation occurs with stenosis or diverticulosis of the esophagus, heartburn, spasms and stenosis (narrowing) of the gastric valve, and atony of the stomach (weakened or absent contractions).

In infants and children of primary school age, adults with intellectual disabilities, and nervous bulimia, mericism is observed - involuntary regurgitation and chewing of food.

In differential diagnosis, the doctor must determine when vomiting occurs:

• directly during or immediately after eating is typical for peptic ulcer disease, it can also be associated with neuroses
• several hours after eating and the presence of undigested food in vomit occurs with stenosis of the gastric valve, weakening of the stomach muscles, and some diseases of the esophagus (diverticulosis, achalasia)
• vomiting after eating in women in the morning may be associated with pregnancy, also morning vomiting can be a symptom of kidney failure, alcoholic gastritis
• Severe vomiting without nausea may indicate neurological diseases.
• In addition, it is important to identify other symptoms that accompany vomiting:
• tinnitus, dizziness appear when the level of endolymph in the inner ear increases (Meniere's disease)
• prolonged vomiting without weight loss may be associated with psychogenic factors
• decreased abdominal pain after emptying the stomach is a clear sign of an ulcer

When making a diagnosis, the consistency, smell, and composition of the vomit are also taken into account:

• an elevated level of gastric juice is characteristic of ulcerative stenosis, valve spasms, while the absence of gastric juice indicates the growth of a cancerous tumor in the stomach
• the smell of rot or feces is associated with the growth of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, which occurs with intestinal obstruction, inflammatory processes in the peritoneum, and ulcer complications
• Bile in vomit almost always appears with severe vomiting, usually this fact is not of particular importance for diagnosis, but with an excessive amount of bile, intestinal obstruction should be excluded
• Blood in vomit appears during bleeding in the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine.

[ 39 ], [ 40 ], [ 41 ]

Treatment post-meal vomiting

Vomiting after eating is not normal, nausea, discomfort, abdominal pain, fever - all this should be a reason to seek medical help.

A specialist consultation is required even when no other symptoms occur besides vomiting, and especially if vomiting bothers you from time to time.

If vomiting is caused by any disease (gastritis, ulcer), then vomiting is accompanied by abdominal pain (in the upper part), nausea - especially after eating fatty, floury, fried foods. With these diseases, first of all, it is necessary to adhere to a special diet, and if the disease is detected in time, treatment usually has a favorable prognosis.

If the cause of vomiting is an attack of appendicitis, then you should call an ambulance, but you should not take any painkillers, as this can complicate the diagnosis and affect the results of treatment - in most cases, the patient requires urgent surgery.

If vomiting is associated with poisoning with poor-quality products or any substances, you need to cleanse your stomach well (this will help reduce the amount of toxins in the body and alleviate the condition), in this case you can even induce vomiting, after which you need to drink more water, take adsorbent drugs (activated carbon, Enterosgel), if the condition worsens, you need to see a doctor.

If a child is poisoned, you should immediately consult a doctor, since a child’s body reacts differently to the effects of toxins and serious consequences are possible.

High blood pressure, the main symptom of which is nausea and vomiting after eating, should only be treated under the supervision of a specialist.

In case of migraines, Sumatriptan and Metaproclamid will help to get rid of the feeling of nausea and vomiting; chocolate, wine, fish, and hard cheeses should be excluded from the diet.

Medicines (indicate 4-5 medicines, their dosage, method of administration, precautions, side effects)

The effectiveness of antiemetic drugs depends on the cause of vomiting, as well as individual characteristics.

Medicines from this group are prescribed in critical situations to stop vomiting and alleviate the patient’s condition.

In case of gastrointestinal diseases, Itomed will help to cope with a severe symptom, which enhances gastrointestinal peristalsis, suppresses nausea and vomiting. The drug is prescribed for a feeling of discomfort in the epigastrium, stomach diseases, autonomic neuroses, anorexia, heartburn, etc. The drug is available in the form of tablets, which are prescribed before meals, 1 tablet 3 times a day, no more than 150 mg is taken per day, in old age, dosage adjustment is necessary. Itomed should be taken at equal intervals, if you miss a tablet, you cannot take 2 tablets at once.

During treatment, decreased concentration, tremors, irritability, and dizziness may occur, so you should refrain from driving a car or using other vehicles that require increased attention during treatment.

The drug is usually well tolerated, but sometimes constipation, diarrhea, headaches, increased salivation, allergic reactions, changes in blood composition, and sleep disturbances are possible.

During chemotherapy or radiation therapy and after surgery, Kytril may be prescribed to reduce the feeling of nausea and vomiting after eating.

Contraindicated during lactation, hypersensitivity to any component of the drug, prescribed with caution to pregnant women and in case of intestinal obstruction.

In most cases, Kytril is well tolerated; in rare cases, hypersensitivity (anaphylactic shock), abdominal pain, increased gas formation, diarrhea, heartburn, headaches, sleep disturbances, weakness, dizziness, increased anxiety, allergic reactions, and arrhythmia are observed.

Kytril tablets are taken 2 times a day at 1 mg, the doctor may also prescribe taking 1 time per day at 2 mg, the course of treatment is 7 days, the first tablet is taken 1 hour before the start of chemotherapy.

Motinorm syrup is prescribed for dyspeptic symptoms (heartburn, bloating, belching, flatulence, etc.). The drug effectively copes with nausea and vomiting caused by infection, radiotherapy, taking certain medications, and dietary disorders.

Motinorm is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women, children under 1 year of age, and in cases of gastrointestinal bleeding.

While taking the drug, it is possible to experience increased excitability, headaches, spasms of the gastrointestinal tract, dry mouth, and allergic reactions.

The syrup is taken 15-20 minutes before meals, usually 20 ml 3 times a day for nausea and vomiting. Children weighing less than 35 kilograms require a dose adjustment - 5 ml of syrup per 10 kg of body weight.

The most common antiemetic drug is Cerucal, which normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The drug is available in tablet and injection form.

Prescribed for nausea and vomiting, regardless of the cause, including reactions to medications, decreased tone of the stomach or intestines, heartburn, inflammation of the esophagus, motion sickness, during examination of the gastrointestinal tract,

In tablets, 1 tablet is prescribed 3 times a day (for adults and children over 14 years old), the course of treatment is 4-5 weeks. It is recommended to wash down the tablets with a small amount of water.

In the form of injections, it is prescribed to children aged 2 years and older from 0.1 to 0.5 mg per kg of body weight. The drug is administered intravenously or intramuscularly, dilution with a 5% glucose solution is allowed.

Treatment with Cerucal is contraindicated for children under 2 years of age, with gastrointestinal bleeding, epilepsy, intestinal obstruction, and also with sensitivity to the components. Irritability, constipation, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, and a feeling of fear may occur during treatment. In childhood, dyskinetic syndrome is possible, in the elderly - symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Vitamins

After vomiting, the body rapidly loses vitamins and microelements, so during the recovery period it is extremely important to ensure an additional supply of important substances that will help increase resistance and speed up the process of normalizing digestion.

Vomiting after eating usually leads to the loss of vitamins B, A and C, which can be replenished with special medications, as well as certain foods.

Vitamin A is found in green, red and yellow vegetables and fruits, vitamin B is found in liver, nuts, eggs, milk, fish, vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, rose hips, strawberries, viburnum, and green bell peppers.

Among the vitamin complexes, Undevit can be singled out, which includes the necessary vitamins for restoring the body after vomiting.

Physiotherapy treatment

Physiotherapy treatment for vomiting is aimed at reducing unpleasant symptoms and restoring the body after the disease. Depending on the cause that provoked vomiting, the doctor can choose a suitable method of physiotherapy - medicinal electrophoresis, inductothermy, electrosleep therapy, the course of treatment depends on the severity of the patient's condition (on average 10-15 sessions).

Medicinal electrophoresis has a complex effect and allows for the simultaneous application of direct electric current to the body and the introduction of beneficial substances with its help.

Inductothermy is a method based on the use of high-frequency magnetic fields (up to 40 MHz).

Electrosleep is the effect of a weak pulsed current on the patient's brain, which induces sleep (on average about 30-40 minutes).

This method of physiotherapy helps to reduce the feeling of nausea, vomiting, salivation (one of the symptoms of nausea and vomiting). Also, this treatment is considered gentle and has virtually no contraindications.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies in some cases are quite effective in helping to cope with the feeling of nausea and vomiting that occurs after driving. In this case, the recipe should be chosen depending on the cause of this condition.

If vomiting is caused by stress, motion sickness, or medication, mint lozenges or mint water (15 drops of mint tincture per glass of water) can help.

Pregnant women suffering from toxicosis can get rid of nausea and vomiting with fresh potato juice (1 teaspoon before meals), ginger root (add a small amount of finely grated root to drinks or food), and green tea.

In case of poisoning with toxic fumes, peppermint will help - 1.5 tbsp of dry grass, pour boiling water (200 ml), leave for 2-3 hours and take 1 tsp 3-4 times a day.

If you have digestive problems, dill seed will help - pour 2 teaspoons of seeds with boiling water (400 ml), simmer over low heat for several minutes and strain, drink 1 teaspoon several times a day.

[ 42 ], [ 43 ]

Herbal treatment

Among the medicinal herbs, there are several that help prevent vomiting after eating:

• lemon balm - 2 tbsp of chopped herb, brew with boiling water (200 ml) and let it brew for 2.5-3 hours, if you feel nauseous, drink 100 ml of the infusion (you can drink about 500 ml of the infusion per day)
• bogbean – pour 3 tablespoons of the herb into 1 liter of cooled boiled water, leave for 24 hours and take 2-3 tablespoons. This plant has medicinal properties and helps to get rid of constant nausea and vomiting.
• basil - 1 tbsp. of herbs brew with hot water (200 ml), leave for 15-20 minutes, drink like tea, but no more than 2 glasses per day, add honey if desired. Basil helps to get rid of nausea, bloating, normalize appetite in case of neuroses, nervous tension.

Homeopathy

Vomiting after eating and a feeling of nausea are often treated with homeopathic remedies:

• Antimonium crudum (antimony trisulfide) is used for various disorders (facial flushes, inflammation of the mucous membrane, including inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract, migraines, gastritis, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, bloating).

Contraindications to taking this drug are pregnancy and breastfeeding, thyroid disease, childhood, severe liver dysfunction, and allergies to sulfur.

Antimonium crudum can provoke allergic reactions, feverish conditions, and with prolonged use it accumulates in the thyroid gland and suppresses its function.

The dosage is prescribed by the doctor, depending on the condition and symptoms, usually from 3 to 12 divisions are used.

• Nux vomica-Homacord is a combined homeopathic remedy that is prescribed for gastrointestinal disorders, inflammatory processes in the digestive system, gastritis, dysbacteriosis, cholecystitis, etc. The drug has also proven itself well for the treatment of chronic intoxication with nicotine, alcohol or drugs.
• Adults are prescribed 30 drops per day, the dosage should be divided into 3 doses (10 drops per 100 ml of water or 1 teaspoon under the tongue). The drug may cause allergic reactions.
• Tabakum or common tobacco is most often prescribed to pregnant women during toxicosis, motion sickness, severe headaches accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The dosage is selected by the doctor individually, taking into account the age, condition of the patient, the cause of the disease, dilution varies quite widely - from 1/10 to 6/100.
• Creosotum is prescribed for vomiting caused by tumors. This drug should not be taken by pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, or people with allergies to creosote. After taking it, skin sensitivity to light may increase (photosensitivity), and spots, wart-like growths, and pigmentation may appear after contact with the skin.

It is prescribed in a diluted form, the dosage is individual, depending on the severity of the patient's condition.

Surgical treatment

Vomiting after eating is not a major disease, but only a symptom of some disorder in the body. Surgical treatment is prescribed in case of diseases of the digestive organs, cancerous tumors.

In case of peptic ulcer, the doctor requires surgery in 50% of cases; as a rule, this method is chosen if drug therapy does not give a positive effect.

The type of surgical intervention is chosen by the doctor, it can be resection (removal of the ulcer with part of the stomach), vagotomy (cutting the nerve endings that are responsible for the production of gastrin), endoscopy (surgery through punctures in the abdominal cavity using special equipment). The same types of surgical treatment can be chosen for other disorders of the digestive organs - pancreatitis, diseases of the biliary tract, etc.

When cancerous tumors develop, surgery is prescribed to remove the malignant tumor, followed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Prevention

To avoid vomiting after eating, you should not abuse alcohol, fatty foods, or overeat. In case of digestive diseases, it is important to stick to a dietary diet that will help ease the digestive process and reduce unpleasant symptoms that occur after eating.

It is necessary to monitor the quality of food products, since vomiting is often a consequence of food poisoning.

In case of more serious illnesses (infectious diseases of the central nervous system, cancerous tumors, severe nervous shocks, etc.), you should consult a specialist who will prescribe appropriate treatment.

[ 44 ], [ 45 ]

Forecast

Vomiting after eating, as already mentioned, is only a consequence of the disease, so the prognosis depends on the cause that provoked the pathology.

In case of diseases of the digestive organs, the disease should not be neglected - timely treatment will help to avoid surgery and serious complications.

In cases of food poisoning, time also plays a big role - the sooner a person receives help (gastric lavage, sorbents, drinking plenty of fluids, etc.), the lower the risk of complications - dehydration, water-electrolyte imbalance, severe intoxication of the body, etc.

If vomiting is associated with the development of a cancerous process, then the prognosis in this case depends on the type of cancer and the stage at which it was detected. Tumor removal and chemotherapy at the initial stage reduce the risk of relapse, at later stages, as a rule, the prognosis is less encouraging.

Vomiting caused by medications most often occurs as a side effect, in which case the medication is stopped and a specialist selects another drug. If treatment cannot be stopped (for example, during chemotherapy), the doctor may prescribe antiemetic drugs or recommend folk remedies.