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What Can Cause Chronic Vomiting?
Chronic vomiting may be a symptom of many health issues, some of which are quite serious. Sometimes, chronic vomiting may be caused by anxiety or other emotional issues. Some drugs also can cause vomiting as a side effect. Chronic vomiting may also be a symptom of illnesses including gastrointestinal disorders, cancer, epilepsy, and even allergies. When experiencing chronic vomiting, it is important to consult with a health care provider for a proper diagnosis.
Many children and adults experience vomiting due to food allergies, which can be diagnosed by a physician. The most common allergy-causing foods include milk and eggs. Someone with food allergies may experience other symptoms as well, such as hives or swelling.
Continual bouts of vomiting that remain undiagnosed and untreated may lead to severe dehydration. This is why it is essential to obtain a professional diagnosis as soon as possible. A doctor may take a medical history and run a series of diagnostic tests on a patient suffering from vomiting. A condition known as cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) may cause recurring vomiting in children and adults. CVS often occurs in those who experience frequent migraine headaches.
When chronic vomiting or CVS occurs in young children, it is often associated with anxiety. The child who experiences symptoms of CVS may feel stressed at school or from family related issues. When a child experiences gastrointestinal symptoms such as chronic vomiting, his pediatrician will test for a medical cause. If medical disorders have been ruled out, counseling may be recommended for a child under stress.
Adults suffering from anxiety disorders or severe depression may also experience chronic bouts of vomiting. Individuals with eating disorders often experience these symptoms as well. In addition to gastrointestinal issues, extreme weight loss may occur.
It is not uncommon for adults and children to experience chronic vomiting when taking prescription medications. Some prescription drugs can cause heartburn, nausea, and vomiting that may be mild to severe. When this occurs, the doctor should be notified so that he may change the medication or modify the dose.
Serious medical conditions or disease may also cause continual vomiting. A brain tumor may produce nausea and vomiting that occurs in cycles. Nausea and vomiting may occur in the early stages of cancer, or during the advanced stages. Another medical condition known to cause nausea and cyclic vomiting is epilepsy. Epilepsy or seizures may produce gastrointestinal symptoms in children, adolescents and adults.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) commonly causes heartburn, as well as chronic vomiting in some individuals. This condition may be treated with prescription medications to reduce acid in the stomach. Many individuals suffering from gallbladder disease or gallstones will experience recurring nausea or vomiting as well. Kidney stones may produce the same symptoms, in addition to pain and fever. Those with vertigo often experience dizziness when standing or moving, along with nausea and vomiting.
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![If a child experiences chronic vomiting, his or her pediatrician can test for a medical cause.]()
By: nyulIf a child experiences chronic vomiting, his or her pediatrician can test for a medical cause. -
![A brain tumor may produce nausea and vomiting that occurs in cycles.]()
By: rob3000A brain tumor may produce nausea and vomiting that occurs in cycles. -
![Chronic vomiting might be tied to anxiety.]()
By: lightwavemediaChronic vomiting might be tied to anxiety. -
![Serious medical conditions may cause continual vomiting.]()
By: pathdocSerious medical conditions may cause continual vomiting. -
![Kidney stones can cause chronic vomiting alongside other symptoms.]()
By: p6m5Kidney stones can cause chronic vomiting alongside other symptoms. -
![People might engage in chronic vomiting as a way to lose weight.]()
By: HaywireMediaPeople might engage in chronic vomiting as a way to lose weight. -
![GERD may cause chronic vomiting.]()
By: bilderzwergGERD may cause chronic vomiting. -
![Those who experience frequent migraine headaches often develop a condition known as cyclic vomiting syndrome.]()
By: bercThose who experience frequent migraine headaches often develop a condition known as cyclic vomiting syndrome.
Discussion Comments
My daughter (16 years old) has undiagnosed nausea/vomiting. Since the week before Thanksgiving (eight weeks now), she has thrown up between four and 10 times a day. Pretty much every time she eats, every time she practices/plays sports, and sometimes with no provocation. She has asthma and gutate psoriasis, but has been off all those medications since she started vomiting.
So far she has been through blood tests, urinalysis, CAT scan, ultrasound, endoscopy, and biopsies. All results come back normal. (No problems with gallbladder, ulcers, etc. and no depression or eating disorders.)
She is currently taking Nexium and Zofrin, but those don't seem to be helping either. Anyone have any suggestions or know someone that has had this and found a diagnosis/treatment that works?
Most people think that pregnancy causes only morning sickness. So there will be nausea and vomiting in the morning and then it will go away. But that's not the case for everyone.
My sister is three months pregnant and the poor thing has nausea all day. It starts in the morning and occurs on and off throughout the day. She is so miserable. Her doctor has finally decided to put her on some kind of medicine because if she can't eat, the health of the baby will be affected. It's not good to take medications during pregnancy, but apparently, in certain severe cases of vomiting, doctors will prescribe safe medications. I just hope she's better soon.
@stoneMason-- I think she needs to see a psychologist. Anxiety can definitely cause digestive troubles. Every individual reacts a little differently to problems. Some people have high tolerance levels and some have low tolerance. But vomiting all the time during stressful times will have very bad effects on general health. Like you said, it will cause weight loss and this will effect the immune system as well.
If your roommate treats the underlying cause, that is anxiety, I'm sure that the nausea and vomiting will stop. If she spends more time in nature, it will help I think.
Whenever my roommate has anxiety, she becomes nauseated and starts vomiting. She cannot eat and loses a few pounds almost instantly. I feel so bad when I see her in that state. I tell her to stop worrying and stop thinking but she says she can't help it. When she's nervous, her stomach is affected, I guess it's just the way her body works.
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