We have all experienced it once: nausea, that feeling of “sickness” sometimes accompanied by retching (wanting to vomit), and vomiting are unpleasant symptoms that can be caused by a multitude of illnesses. or situations.

Most often, they are transient and benign, and disappear in a few hours, at worst in a few days.

In some cases, however, they can reflect the presence of a serious pathology or lead to dehydration, and should alert.     

Nausea and vomiting are related, although it is possible to experience nausea without going so far as to vomit or to vomit without prior nausea.

Note that vomiting is a reflex, which begins with excessive salivation (hyper-sialorrhea) and most often with a feeling of nausea. Contractions of the digestive system then lead to the forced expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth. We speak of anti-peristalsis, with peristalsis being the term used to designate the normal muscle contractions that allow food to progress throughout the digestive tract.

Vomiting is controlled in the brain by the “vomiting center” in the medulla oblongata. The action of vomiting is permitted by violent contractions of the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm.

Vomiting is not a disease: it is a symptom that is encountered in a large number of pathologies.

Acute vomiting must be distinguished from chronic or persistent vomiting. The doctor will also seek to know the associated signs (pain, transit disorders, headaches, dizziness, fever, etc.), the conditions of occurrence (after a meal, for example), the type of vomiting (in jets, bilious , food, etc.).

Acute vomiting is most often of digestive origin. They occur in particular in cases of gastroenteritis-type infection or food poisoning, and are often accompanied by fever and diarrhea.

They can also be the consequence of motion sickness, pregnancy, violent disgust, taking certain drugs (chemotherapy for example), etc.

Vomiting can also reflect the presence of neurological pathology. In these cases, they can occur as a jet, without effort. They can be the sign:

• intracranial hypertension, itself due to a brain tumor, encephalitis, etc.
• meningitis
• migraines
• Ménière’s disease (inner ear disorder)

Many other diseases (metabolic, endocrine, digestive, psychiatric, etc.) can cause vomiting. If these are recurring, or persist, it is important to consult your doctor. If they occur violently, contain blood, are accompanied by severe pain, dehydration occurs, urgent consultation is necessary.

Most often, these symptoms are mild and go away on their own, especially when they are related to an acute digestive infection.

On the other hand, if they persist and prevent any food intake, they can lead to dehydration and weight loss quite quickly. This is particularly the case in young children. It is then necessary to go to the hospital without delay.

Repeated vomiting can also damage the esophagus and lead to painful esophagitis.

The solution obviously depends on the disease in question. The first measure is rehydration: drink small amounts of fluids, if possible rehydration solutions containing electrolytes.

In case of pregnancy-related vomiting, especially present in the first trimester, it is important to monitor the weight loss and discuss it with your doctor if it is too severe. Certain treatments may be recommended.

In other cases, depending on the cause, pharmacological treatment (antiemetics, such as metoclopramide or domperidone) may be prescribed. It does not act on the cause of vomiting and therefore does not exempt from a medical check-up.