Question
Why does a child frequently find it hard to swallow and easily vomit during meals? What precautions should be taken, and what medications can be used for treatment?
Answer
Vomiting is a common symptom in a child’s life. Severe vomiting can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. There are many causes of vomiting, including but not limited to:
- Overfeeding or swallowing too quickly, causing air intake.
- Enteritis leading to intestinal dysfunction.
- Relaxation of the upper esophageal sphincter causing regurgitation.
- Infections such as encephalitis and pneumonia.
- Neurological diseases such as hydrocephalus, brain edema, and intracranial hemorrhage.
- Esophageal atresia.
- Hypertrophy of the lower esophageal sphincter (pylorus) causing poor downward flow of stomach contents.
- Intestinal obstruction, such as intussusception, small bowel stenosis or atresia, and volvulus.
- Hirschsprung’s disease, anal agenesis, or anal stenosis.
- Acute poisoning, medications, pyloric spasm, motion sickness, seasickness, etc. Some vomiting is a normal physiological phenomenon that will gradually stop with attention; however, some vomiting is caused by serious diseases and requires timely treatment. Therefore, if you find that your child…