Vomiting

Vomiting means the sudden and uncontrolled expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth. It is often preceded by nausea and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or fever. Vomiting is a very common symptom and can be caused by many different factors. In Finland, the most common cause of sudden vomiting is stomach flu, which is usually due to inflammation of the intestines caused by a virus or bacteria. Other common causes include spoiled food, excessive alcohol consumption, motion sickness, and pregnancy nausea in early pregnancy, which affects up to most expectant mothers.

Vomiting is sometimes part of the symptom picture of a disease such as appendicitis. If vomiting is accompanied by severe or prolonged abdominal pain, fever, persistent malaise, or a decline in general condition, it is a good idea to seek assessment from a healthcare professional. Also, if vomiting continues for more than a day, is accompanied by bleeding, signs of dehydration (e.g. low urine output, dry mouth), or involves a small child, a low threshold for seeking care is recommended. In most cases, vomiting passes on its own, but sometimes there may be a more serious cause that requires treatment.