Vomiting
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Vomiting is very common during infancy and childhood and is usually caused by an illness or stomach upset. In infants it is important to distinguish between vomiting and “spitting up,” which is very typical in babies. Babies spit up if they are fed too fast or too much, and this is not considered to be a problem.
Mild vomiting in children likewise is not serious, but severe vomiting can strain the stomach and esophagus and may cause internal bleeding. Continual vomiting also can lead to dehydration, shock, or metabolic problems; if the vomited material is inhaled into the lungs it can cause PNEUMONIA. Intentional vomiting in teenagers (BULIMIA) can lead to tooth problems and electrolyte disturbances that can affect the heart’s function, and it can be fatal.
Anorexia and Eating Disorder Signs and Symptoms
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Eating disorders (Anorexia Nervosa), often identified in adolescent girls but possible in any individual. The individual is convinced that they need to lose weight, even when it is obvious to others that they are already underweight. In Bulimia there are periods of dieting and bouts of binge eating, after which the individual often make themeselves vomit up what they have eaten.
Alternatively, they may use purgatives or laxatives. These are not trivial conditions: a significant proportion of those affected eventually die from the condition.
Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa