Vomiting, as we all know, is the uncontrolled and forceful throwing up of Food. This happens through a sudden tightening of the stomach muscles. More often than not Vomiting is not serious. Vomiting is also one of the bogy’s ways to eliminate potentially harmful substances. Yet it is frightening to young children as well as parents and wearing out for children of any age. Most of the time, home treatments are enough to facilitate the child’s discomfort and get rid of the issue. However, sometimes, vomiting in children indicates some underlying issues.

What causes vomiting in children?

• Stomach Flu
• Motion Sickness
• Food poisoning
• Infections: Infections of the lungs, ears, urinary tract, strep throat, etc can bring about vomiting in children. Ear infection is often accompanied by a buildup of fluid inside the ear. This can cause a similar feeling in the children when they undergo motion sickness and end up vomiting.
•  Appendicitis
• Intestinal blockage
• Head injury
• Meningitis

What are the treatment options for vomiting in children?

Here are some measures that help to treat the vomiting in children.

Prevent dehydration:

Keep the child hydrated. Allow your child to drink as much fluid he wants. Never give child fruit juice or soda pop when he or she is experiencing vomiting. Too much sugar can increase the episode of vomiting, and also, they don’t have essential minerals to put back the electrolytic balance. Some of the best liquid choices for the children experiencing vomiting are clear broths, diluted fruit juices, frozen juice pops, etc. If the child vomits soon after drinking the liquid, wait for at least half an hour before trying to feed them again.

Reduce the food intake:

The quantity of the food should be reduced when the child is having to vomit. Frequent episodes of vomiting would make the stomach walls inflamed. Over eating or over drinking stretch the stomach wall, and thereby increases the inflammation. Therefore, reduce the amount of food you give the child during this period. Never force the child to eat or drink if the child does not feel.

Avoid giving solid food:

Avoid giving the child solid foods 12 hours after the child has stopped vomiting. You can reintroduce solid food if your child stops vomiting for 8 hours after taking the liquid food.  Even then, gradually introduce the food. Avoid high fiber, high sugar, and spicy food during the initial days.

Stick on to BRAT diet:

Children suffering from the frequent spell of vomiting are often prescribed the BRAT diet. The BRAT diet is a bland-food diet that is often recommended for children with an upset stomach. BRAT stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast.

Encourage the child to take ample rest:

Urge the child to stay in bed as long as possible. Frequent vomiting will make the child too tired and the child will fall asleep without much persuading. Let the child sleep as long as he wants. Never wake him up for food or drinks or medicine.

Follow these caring measures:

Each time the child vomits, it will leave an acidic taste in the child’s mouth. Urge the child to wash his face and mouth thoroughly.

Likewise, each vomiting episode can trigger profuse sweating as well. Therefore, change the child’s dress every time after an episode of vomiting.

Choose a light and airy dress that does not trap sweat.

Make sure the child’s room is well-ventilated. Open all the windows and let the air flow through the room. Remember, stuffy room, smoke, persisting order of perfume, and cooking can aggravate vomiting in children.

Stop  taking other medicines:

Discontinue the medicines that are given to the child for any other issue. Of course, you should ask your child’s doctor before that. This is owing to the fact that these medicines, more likely, can irritate the child’s stomach further, aggravating the issue. 

Is ORT a treatment option for vomiting?

Oral rehydration therapy is a safer, less expensive, and easier alternative to intravenous fluids. This liquid solution contains glucose and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) that helps to restore the electrolyte balance that is lost during vomiting and diarrhea.

ORS helps to prevent and treat the dehydration, the after effect of vomiting. Ors will not prevent or help to get rid of vomiting. 

When to seek immediate medical attention?

Children with these warning signs should be immediately evaluated by a doctor:

• If the child complaining severe abdominal pain, especially, the pain that is centered around the navel and then moves to the lower right side of the abdomen indicates appendicitis.
• If the vomit contains a green substance, which is bile, that indicates an intestinal obstruction.
• If the child’s abdomen appears hard and that is tight and tender between episodes of vomiting.
• If the child has a swollen, tender abdomen. This could indicate accumulation of fluid or gas, a blocked intestine, or a hernia, or some other digestive tract issue.
• If there is blood in vomit, which is a sign that there is blood in the stomach. This demand immediate medical attention.
• If the child vomit after a head injury.
• If the child exhibits signs of dehydration
• If vomiting is accompanied by a severe headache with or without a stiff neck, which indicates the chances of meningitis