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Causes of Vomiting

Vomiting is known as the forced emptying of the stomach through the mouth. The stomach becomes overwhelmed, and the pressure used to keep food and digestive acids inside the stomach fail, which allows food and digestive acids to travel back up the esophagus. It can be caused by a range of factors, and it is never a pleasant experience. Learning the various causes of vomiting may help you decrease the chances of "throwing up" in the future.

  1. Stomach Flu

    • Also known as the "stomach bug" or "stomach virus," the stomach flu is a relatively lax term given when a person is experiencing nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea alone. It is caused by a viral infection, and the only treatment for it is light foods and rest. Medications such as Pepto Bismol and Immodium AD can be taken to relieve the symptoms until the virus has run its course.
      Take caution not to confuse this with the real flu, which will also cause fever, chills and body aches.

    Food Poisoning

    • Food containing a bacterial toxin can cause vomiting. This is typically received from food that is out of date or improperly prepared and/or cooked. Once the toxin enters the body, symptoms may begin within a few hours and last 1 to 2 days. Other symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Most cases of food poisoning are mild and will go away on their own within a couple of days. However, some extreme cases can result in hospitalization or even death.

    Medication

    • Hundreds of medications list vomiting as a possible side effect. Cancer patients often feel nauseous and vomit due to the chemotherapy that aggravates the stomach. Some pain relievers can also lead to vomiting. These causes are easy to diagnose, as they will begin with the introduction of the medication and will end when it is no longer taken.

    Pregnancy

    • The early stages of pregnancy are notorious for causing vomiting. This is due to hormone and many other changes that are taking place in the body to prepare for a baby. The "morning sickness" will usually subside after the first trimester, but some women may experience it throughout the entire pregnancy.

    Head Trauma

    • Any serious injury to the head that causes an increase in intracranial pressure can induce vomiting. This will usually cause you to be dizzy, so if the pressure itself doesn't make you sick, the spinning and whirling of your surroundings generally will.

    Bulimia

    • Bulimia is a serious eating disorder that consists of binging (eating large amounts of food) and purging (forcing yourself to vomit). This may start as a way to control weight, but it becomes an addiction that can greatly harm the body. The esophagus can become eaten up with stomach acid, and the body will be starved for the nutrients that come from eating.

    Stress and Anxiety

    • "Worrying yourself sick" isn't just an expression. Some people experience so much stress and anxiety that they can actually vomit from it. To relieve this, use stress-management techniques such as squeezing a stress ball or taking deep breaths when you feel anxious.

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