As a parent, it can be scary to see your child vomit. It's not just any vomit, but if it's a violent vomiting that shoots across the room, then the fear is doubled. We call this 'Projectile Vomiting'. This is different from normal vomiting, and it's much more violent. Sometimes when a baby vomits, it can be thrown several feet away. So it's reasonable to be worried when you see something like this. In this article, we'll talk about what could be causing your little one to vomit so violently, and what you should do in such a situation.
Frequent vomiting and digestive system problems
If your baby is vomiting a lot, it could be a sign of a problem with their stomach or intestines. There is one main reason why this condition can occur, especially in young babies.
Pyloric Stenosis only occurs in young babies
This is a somewhat rare condition. Imagine that the opening from our stomach to the intestines is very narrow. We call this opening 'Pylorus'. So when this opening becomes narrow, the milk that the baby drinks cannot pass through the stomach and gets stuck. The result is that it is pushed back up. This is what we call Pyloric Stenosis .
This condition usually occurs when the baby is three to five weeks old. Suddenly, the baby starts vomiting profusely after drinking milk. If you see this, it is very important to see a doctor immediately .
Other symptoms of Pyloric Stenosis:
- Constant hunger: The baby is always hungry because the milk does not stay in the stomach.
- Bloating or a hard lump in the stomach: Your baby's stomach may feel hard when you touch it.
- Constipation: Food does not pass through the intestines, so stool is reduced.
- Dehydration: The body loses water.
- Weight loss: The baby loses weight because the body is not getting enough nutrition.
Stomach ache (Gastroenteritis)
This is what we all know as a "stomach flu." This is an infection of the stomach and intestines (Gastroenteritis). When this happens, you may vomit frequently for several days. Sometimes the vomiting can be severe. The biggest risk here is dehydration .
Other possible causes of frequent vomiting
In addition to digestive system problems, several other reasons can affect this.
- Food Allergy: Sometimes a child may have a food allergy and vomit profusely. If this happens, in addition to vomiting, they may also show symptoms such as red, itchy skin, swelling of the face, eyes, mouth, or tongue. If you notice anything like this, you should seek medical advice immediately . It is also very important to remember what the child ate before vomiting.
- Other infections: In addition to gastroenteritis, vomiting can also be caused by other serious infections. For example, ear infections, pneumonia, or meningitis can be a serious symptom. In such cases, in addition to vomiting , the child may also have a high fever and be restless .
- Appendicitis: If your child has severe abdominal pain and is vomiting frequently, it could be a sign of appendicitis. This is an emergency. The appendix may be swollen and close to bursting. This requires immediate hospitalization and surgery .
What are the effects of persistent vomiting?
Whatever the reason, if a child vomits repeatedly for several days, it can be very dangerous.
The most important thing is to prevent a child from becoming dehydrated . Sudden loss of fluid from the body is difficult for a young child's body to handle.
Dehydration can affect kidney and even brain function. If you have a condition like Pyloric Stenosis, there are other risks in addition to dehydration:
- The child's growth and weight gain stop.
- Injury to the stomach wall.
- Jaundice.
What can be done to treat this?
The best treatment is to give your child plenty of fluids , while giving them small amounts of food that they can tolerate. If your child is over two years old, it is important to give them fluids that contain water and electrolytes. Give them fluids every 15 minutes.
You can give things like clear chicken soup, orange juice, and Jeevani. But don't give them thick things like sweet drinks and artificial fruit drinks.
Very important: Do not give your child anti-vomiting medication from the pharmacy without consulting a doctor. These medications can cause other side effects. If the vomiting does not stop, be sure to see a doctor. If necessary, he or she will prescribe an appropriate medication.
For a small baby who is breastfed, the treatment may be a little different. But the most important thing is to give fluids. If you are breastfeeding, continue to give it, and if you are formula feeding, continue to give it. Also, ask the doctor if he can give you an oral rehydration solution, such as Jeevani.
When should I see a doctor?
Vomiting frequently is not normal. Therefore, it is best to see a doctor at such times. Especially if any of the following symptoms are present, it means that the child needs emergency medical attention. In such a case, the best thing to do is to take him to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
| Warning sign | What does this mean? |
|---|---|
| Decreased or stopped urination | This is a major sign of severe dehydration. |
| Vomiting that is green or coffee grounds colored | It could be a sign of an intestinal blockage or internal bleeding. |
| Fever greater than 38.9° Celsius (102° Fahrenheit) | A sign of a serious infection in the body. |
| Loss of tears when crying | Another sign of dehydration. |
| Dry mouth and lips | It shows that the body is not hydrated enough. |
| Sunken-looking eyes | A sign of severe dehydration. |
| Cold hands and feet, as if they were covered in sweat | Blood circulation may have been affected (shock). |
| The child is lifeless and sleepy. | This is a very dangerous sign. You should be hospitalized immediately. |
Remember, projectile vomiting is not normal vomiting. If it happens frequently, it is something to be taken seriously. In the meantime, comfort your child. Hold him or her and tell him or her that there is nothing to be afraid of. Your calmness will also be felt by your child.
Take-Home Message
- Projectile vomiting is different from normal vomiting and can be a sign of a medical condition.
- This can be caused by serious infections such as pyloric stenosis, food allergies, and pneumonia, especially in young babies.
- The biggest immediate danger with vomiting is dehydration. Watch for signs like decreased urination, loss of tears, and sunken eyes.
- Never give your child over-the-counter medication to stop vomiting without consulting a doctor.
- If the vomit is green, there is a high fever, or the child is in extreme discomfort, see a doctor immediately or go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).
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