Question
My son vomits within an hour of coming home from school, and then again a few hours later after eating. What could be the cause? He played until 7 PM yesterday and vomited, then felt fine afterward. He has never been to the hospital. How was past treatment and what kind of help do I want to receive?
Answer
This situation may be due to gastrointestinal dysfunction, leading to frequent vomiting. Vomiting is a self-protective response, indicating that the gastrointestinal motility has slowed down, making it unable to effectively digest food. With the change in weather getting cooler, the gastrointestinal tract may become chilled, causing motility to slow down and subsequently blocking the digestion and absorption of food. If severe vomiting occurs and the child appears listless or lacks appetite, it is advisable to temporarily fast for 24 hours and pay attention to fluid intake. If the vomiting persists, further examination and treatment may be necessary.