Nausea and Vomiting – Common Causes and Treatment.

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Vomiting is a common complaint in children. It can occur in any age and the reasons maybe different. In neonates vomiting may be in the form of undigested milk or curd. Undigested milk comes out within 1-15 minutes after feeding and occurs if proper burping does not take place or there is a condition called oesophageal reflux. Whereby, the milk comes out of the stomach because the sphincter between the stomach and oesophagus is weak.

In older children the most common cause of vomiting is part of gastroenteritis or food poisoning. Infection of the gastrointestinal tract due to any reason causes vomiting and diarrhea. According to Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla - A Child Specialist in Karachi, vomiting is more dangerous than simple diarrhea as the child cannot retain fluid and vomits out everything, leading to dehydration. Other causes of vomiting include obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract due to any reason. This is a surgical emergency. The vomiting is watery and effortless. In these cases the vomit may be yellow or green in upper obstruction as bile starts to come out.



 Vomiting should be urgently treated as it may lead to electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. The doctor should be immediately consulted. In the meantime, the child should be kept hydrated with sips of ORS. Intravenous fluids will be given. Appropriate medical treatment or in case of obstruction surgical treatment; but this is rare.

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