Question
A 23-month-old child has recently been experiencing dry vomiting during meals (close to being full) and occasionally in the morning. There was a history of vomiting while taking medication, but the intake of meals is normal. The parents are concerned and are seeking professional advice.
Answer
Dry vomiting after eating in infants may be caused by food stimulation. If the child has no abnormalities during normal meals but experiences dry vomiting after consuming dried and puffed snacks or overly sweet foods, it may be a reaction caused by food stimulation of the throat. When the throat is stimulated, the body automatically closes the nasopharynx and pharynx passage, dilates the esophagus, to prevent vomit from entering the trachea or nose, thus producing a physiological response similar to vomiting or dry vomiting.