Question
My daughter is 1 year and 5 months old. She has been a bit loose with her stools lately and often dry heaves while eating. Before bedtime, she drinks milk and often throws up. Her belly is also very distended, but she is in good spirits and not running a fever. Please suggest a solution. Thank you!
Answer
It seems there might be a case of ‘food fire,’ which is caused by improper diet leading to internal heat. Dry vomiting is a manifestation of indigestion, a condition in traditional Chinese medicine where excessive milk or food intake damages the spleen and stomach, causing retention of food in the middle burner, leading to gastrointestinal disorders. Indigestion often occurs in infants and young children and is characterized by abdominal bloating, dry or smelly stools, foul flatus, sour belching, and a warm, distended abdomen. Prolonged indigestion can lead to malnutrition in children, affecting growth and development.