Vomiting: causes and which doctor to see

For vomiting you can first see: Internal Medicine or Family Medicine or Pediatrics. If you are not sure, a family doctor (general practitioner) can assess you first and refer you to the right specialist.

Common symptoms: bringing up stomach contents; nausea, sweating and watering of the mouth; diarrhoea and cramps may come with it; signs of dehydration: dry mouth, passing less urine, weakness. Symptoms vary from person to person; a doctor’s examination is needed for a diagnosis.

Do not give anti-sickness medicine to children without a doctor’s advice. Do not drink a large amount of fluid at once.

The most common causes: stomach bug (viral gastroenteritis); food poisoning; migraine and vertigo; pregnancy; bowel obstruction and appendicitis; kidney stones and gallstones; some medicines and alcohol; raised pressure inside the head. Only a doctor’s examination can determine the exact cause.

Vomiting due to infection or food poisoning usually stops within 6–48 hours. What matters is replacing lost fluid with small, frequent sips; people who cannot drink need fluids through a drip.

It is more common in: babies and young children; older people; pregnant women; people with diabetes or kidney disease (more affected by dehydration).

The doctor checks for signs of dehydration and examines the abdomen. Electrolytes, kidney tests, blood sugar, a pregnancy test, urine test and abdominal ultrasound may be requested.

Wash your hands often and avoid raw or poorly stored food. Ask your doctor about rotavirus vaccine for babies.

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, call 112 without delay: “Is there blood or coffee-ground material in the vomit?” “Green (bile) vomiting with a swollen abdomen and no wind or stool?” “Is it with a severe headache, stiff neck or after a blow to the head?” “In a baby: no wet nappy for 8 hours, drowsiness or a sunken fontanelle?” “Is there confusion, fainting or difficulty waking up?” “Is there facial drooping, slurred speech or sudden weakness in an arm or leg?” “Are you struggling to breathe even at rest?”

See a doctor: if you are vomiting even fluids and it has not improved in 24 hours; if vomiting lasts more than 2 days (1 day in children); if you have a long-term condition or are pregnant; if you have recurrent bouts of vomiting.