Health Conditions from A to Z

Vomiting

Symptoms
Symptoms of vomiting include upset stomach, nausea, sweating, turning white, general ill feelings. Dry heaves can also occur even after there is no more food to expel, so that what is brought up is liquid, whitish and sour, and nausea continues.

Causes
The most common causes of vomiting are early-stage pregnancy, chemical poisoning, food allergies, food poisoning, parasites, emotional upset, alcoholic binging, anesthesia, and exercising excessively after eating too much food.

Note
Vomiting may also be due to gastric disease (ulcers or inflammation), appendicitis, reaction to microbial toxins, pharmaceutical drug use, excess mineral consumption (most commonly zinc and iron), radiation, motion sickness, obstruction somewhere in the gastrointestinal tract, or a metabolic disorder such as diabetes or liver disease. It may also be symptomatic of psychological disorders such as eating disorders and bulimia (self-induced vomiting).

All of the above factors must be screened for and addressed if bouts of vomiting persist.

Caution
When vomit is persistent and/or contains blood contact a physician at once.

Self-Care Tips

Aromatherapy
Massage or place a compress of black pepper, chamomile, fennel, camphor, lavender, peppermint, or rose essential oils over your stomach.

Diet
Force fluids (pure, filtered water, fresh-squeezed organic vegetable juices, and/or broths), but avoid solid food and especially dairy. After vomiting subsides, start with a light vegetable broth and toasted whole-grain bread, and then slowly reintroduce more solid foods, such as plain organic yogurt, potatoes, soups, brown rice, and steamed vegetables. After two to three days, resume a normal organic, whole foods diet.

Flower Essences
Rescue Remedy for accompanying stress. Crab Apple and Olive can also be helpful.

Herbs
Ginger, peppermint, and spearmint are all useful for soothing the urge to vomit. They can be taken as teas or as tinctures.

Homeopathy
Useful homeopathic remedies include Ipecac., Phosphorus, Arsen alb., and Nux vom.

Juice Therapy
Any organic, fresh vegetable juice with ginger can be helpful.

Nutritional Supplementation
Wait one day after the vomiting has stopped before taking supplements and then take very light doses for the first few days. Useful nutrients include acidophilus, vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin B1, vitamin C, folic acid, and deglycerrhized licorice.

Caution

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