Question
What are the causes of children’s frequent vomiting?
Answer
Frequent vomiting in children may be due to gastroesophageal reflux, where stomach acid and other foods flow back from the stomach into the esophagus and then are expelled through the mouth. This phenomenon can be divided into three stages: nausea, dry heaves, and vomiting. Vomiting can sometimes occur without the preceding symptoms of nausea or dry heaves. Vomiting can expel harmful substances from the stomach, serving as a body’s self-protection mechanism, but in most cases, it is not caused by this issue. Excessive and frequent vomiting may lead to complications such as dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Mild vomiting has little impact on health and usually does not require treatment. Severe vomiting not only leads to significant fluid loss but also loses electrolytes, causing symptoms of dehydration and acid-base imbalance, which need to be addressed urgently. Treatment methods may include fasting, replenishing oral or intravenous fluids to correct dehydration and acidosis, treating the underlying disease, and taking antiemetic medication. Domperidone is a safe and effective antiemetic that is typically taken 15 to 30 minutes before meals. For cases of recurrent vomiting, it is recommended to drink small amounts of cool boiled water or ice water multiple times during fasting, avoiding warm water as it may trigger vomiting.