Vomiting after eating cannot be called a disease, but it can be an important symptom of some complicated health-related problems. Read on to know what makes a person vomit after eating and what precautions should be taken to avoid vomiting after having food.
The involuntary emptying of stomach contents through mouth is known as vomiting. Forcible voluntary vomiting may be opted for some medicinal reasons. But, here we are going to consider involuntary vomiting after eating that cannot be controlled. Nausea often precedes vomiting but nausea may not always lead to vomiting. Nausea along with headache can sometimes precede vomiting. Sometimes, no symptoms are exhibited and vomiting after consumption of food may occur suddenly. This can be due to several mild or serious medical disorders in the body. This is a type of eating disorder. Let us take a look at the causes behind the unusual eating disorder.
Causes
Simple Causes: Inadequate sleep, high blood pressure, excessive exposure to heat, high altitude, motion sickness, sea sickness, indigestion, side effects of certain medicines, exposure to chemical toxins, emotional stress or fear, a reaction to certain smells or odors, fever, overeating, etc. may cause vomiting after ingestion of food.
Improper Habits: Taking meals too frequently or starvation for a long period, long intervals between two meals, hastily eating and gulping of food, consuming too heavy, fatty meals, eating when not required, eating late at night, may lead to vomiting after meals.
Serious Causes: Dysfunction of any of the body systems may cause vomiting after intake of food. So, you should consult your doctor immediately if you are experiencing constant intestinal pain after eating or vomiting after eating. Blocked intestine, gall bladder diseases, heart attack, brain injury, gluten intolerance, gastroparesis, brain tumor, stomach flu, ulcers, meningitis, appendicitis, migraine headaches, dehydration are some of the causes of vomiting after meals.
Food Content: This is the most common cause of vomiting after the intake of food. Certain ingredients or certain foods which do not suit your body, are not accepted by the digestive system. If such ingredients are present in your food, they can lead to vomiting after snacks or meals. If you are not used to spicy and hot food, consumption of such food may lead to vomiting.
Food Poisoning: There are various causes of food poisoning. Bacteria from the contaminated food, improper washing of hands or ingredients, poor hygiene can lead to vomiting.
Food Allergy: Food allergies lead to discomfort and nausea after eating. Some people have lactose allergy, some have food-color allergy.
Side Effect of Therapies: People undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy may have to face the problem of vomiting after consumption of beverages, snacks or meals.
Pregnancy: During pregnancy, vomiting after drinking tea, coffee or after having snacks is quite common. Nausea, known as 'morning sickness' is the main cause of vomiting during pregnancy.
Alcohol: Alcohol abuse leads to vomiting after meals or snacks.
Symptoms of vomiting usually subside within a few hours. Chances of dehydration after vomiting are more in case of children than in adults. Symptoms like sunken eyes, rapid pulse, dry lips are noticed, when vomiting continues for a long period. In case of such symptoms, you should contact your doctor, as early as possible.
Preventive Measures
As vomiting is not a disease, there cannot be a fixed treatment for vomiting. Take a look at the following preventive measures which would help avoid vomiting after food consumption.
Lemonade, fresh or pickled ginger root, cardamom, and mint help get rid of nausea. Chewing any of them after consumption of food helps prevent vomiting.
Avoid foods that cause allergy to you.
Avoid brushing your teeth, immediately after eating, as it may induce vomiting.
Avoid congested rooms, riding vehicles, too much of exposure to heat as far as possible.
Certain over-the-counter medicines are helpful in avoiding vomiting.
Avoid eating processed food, junk food or food preserved in refrigerator for a long period.
Eat fresh fruits and fresh vegetables, whole grain food as far as possible.
Drink cold or ice-cold drinks.
Do not mix hot and cold foods.
Avoid fried, acidic, greasy, sweet and fatty foods.
Eat smaller and more frequent meals.
Eat slowly, avoid eating late at night.
Drink beverages slowly.
Avoid any stressful activity after eating.
Eat light or bland food if required.
Avoid solid food until vomiting subsides.
Herbal tea, green tea can help prevent vomiting.
Avoid alcohol and tobacco.
Drink adequate water.
If you follow all these preventive measures sincerely, vomiting after eating should not be a serious matter. You will be able to eat without any fear of vomiting and you will be able to enjoy your favorite dishes too. Nothing can trigger vomiting, if you have made up your mind. But, if there are no signs of relief, if you see blood in the vomit, if vomiting is followed by diarrhea, fever, dehydration, headache, confusion, stiff neck, increased heart rate, then you should consult your doctor immediately.
By Leena Palande
