Women who are pregnant will often suffer from constant vomiting, especially during the first few months of their pregnancies. Nausea and vomiting are also common side effects of many medications. Frequent vomiting can also be caused by certain medical conditions, including ulcers, food poisoning, and intestinal blockages.
During the first few months of a pregnancy, a woman will often experience frequent bouts of nausea and vomiting. This is often referred to as morning sickness since it is more likely to occur upon waking up, but it can also occur during other times of the day. Nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy may also triggered by the smell of some foods.
Nausea and vomiting are side effects of a number of different medications, including chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, opioid pain relievers, and others. Patients who experience constant vomiting as a result of their medications, however, should speak with with a medical professional. In many cases, nausea caused by medications should pass after a few days, but a doctor may want to prescribe a different medication with fewer side effects.
Ulcers are sores or lesions on the walls of the digestive tract, anywhere from the esophagus to the intestines. Patients with ulcers will often experience pain and diarrhea. Nausea and constant vomiting are other possible signs of ulcers in the digestive tract. Depending on the type of ulcer, these symptoms may be more likely to occur either when the stomach is empty or when a person has just eaten.
Food poisoning occurs when dangerous bacteria, such as salmonella, gets into the digestive tract, usually when a person eats contaminated food. Individuals who are suffering from food poisoning will often have symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constant vomiting. Most people recover from food poisoning without medical treatment after a few days, but anyone who becomes dehydrated or has a high fever should see a medical professional.
Another common — and dangerous — cause of constant vomiting is an intestinal blockage. When the bowel is blocked, food and fecal matter cannot pass through it. If this happens, the partially digested food will often back up into the stomach and be regurgitated. Tumors in the digestive tract can cause intestinal blockages, as can foreign objects that have been swallowed. Immediate medical treatment is required.
Anyone who is vomiting constantly for more than a day or two should seek immediate medical attention. Constant vomiting can be indicative of a serious medical condition that needs to be treated as soon as possible. Frequent vomiting can also result in dehydration and malnutrition, which may require medical intervention to prevent serious complications.