Picture this: You are all having fun at home when your child approaches you to tell you she is not feeling well. You notice that she feels nauseous and is about to throw up. While you both rush to the bathroom, you start to think. What could have caused her to feel this way? Was it your dinner? Or something else? What causes vomiting in children? Find out here.
Vomiting in Children: What You Should Know
Vomiting takes place when the contents in a child’s stomach forcefully go up the esophagus and then out the mouth. But even before this occurs, a child shows signs of an upset stomach that could trigger the next step — vomiting.
It is common for children to experience both nausea and vomiting every so often, but it rarely lasts for long. Over time, occurrences of nausea and/or vomiting improve on their own without the need for treatment or management.
Causes of Vomiting in Children
Vomiting can be traced to a number of different causes.
Gastroenteritis
Oftentimes, vomiting may be associated with food because of overeating, or in some cases, food poisoning. This is brought about by an infection in the stomach or intestines called gastroenteritis.
People commonly refer to this as stomach flu. Other symptoms of gastrointestinal infection in children include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
Coughing
Coughing too hard can cause your kid to vomit. This is also commonly seen in children who suffer from acid reflux.
Food Allergy
Children with food allergies may experience vomiting as well as other symptoms like red, itchy skin rashes, and even facial swelling.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis produces intense stomach pain that worsens over time.
Motion Sickness
Some children are sensitive to motion, and this might cause vomiting and dizziness. The most prevalent types of motion sickness occur due to seasickness and fun-park rides. If you suffer from motion sickness, your children may have it too, as it can be inherited.
Rotavirus
Rotavirus is a virus that leads to severe diarrhea and vomiting. The rotavirus vaccine can help prevent rotavirus infection.
Other Causes
Other causes of vomiting in children are:
- Migraine
- Strep throat
- Pneumonia
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Pyloric stenosis
- Meningitis
- Reye syndrome
- Middle ear infection
How to Treat and Manage Vomiting in Children
As with any other condition, treatment varies depending on underlying causes. The majority of cases of vomiting respond adequately to home treatments.
Some of the things you can do to treat and manage child vomiting include:
1. Let your child’s stomach rest.
After your child has vomited, don’t let them eat or drink for 30 to 60 minutes. This will allow your child’s tummy discomfort to subside.
2. Provide regular fluid intake.
Prevent dehydration by making your child drink water from time to time. Making sure your child has enough fluids in their body will help them recover from vomiting.
3. Modifying your child’s diet.
If possible, refrain from giving your child solid food for the first 24 hours after they vomitted. Doing so helps prevent subsequent attacks. You may offer some chicken soup or an electrolyte solution that is recommended by your pediatrician.
If your child gets hungry, you may give simple food like crackers, cereals, rice, or noodles. Avoid giving oily, fatty, or spicy foods until they recover.
4. Give them the right medicine.
Seek medical help when your child develops other symptoms due to frequent vomiting. The doctor may prescribe over-the-counter drugs to alleviate the pain.
Key Takeaway
It is natural for parents to feel worried, especially when it comes to their child. Knowing the causes and treatment for vomiting in children may help you to be better prepared for when it happens.
Learn more about Child Health here.
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