Understanding Frequent Vomiting: When Should You Be Concerned?
I’m a 29-year-old female, standing at 165 cm tall and weighing 78 kg. Medical background: I underwent corrective heart surgery for an ASD secundum defect about 1.8 years ago. I also have a minor Rakhtes cleft cyst and a small growth in the upper pharyngeal area, which has been confirmed as non-cancerous. Additionally, I experienced two minor brain hemorrhages, but this is the extent of my medical history that I’m aware of. My issues began roughly seven months ago when I started experiencing daily episodes of vomiting clear fluid, which seemed to occur approximately 5 to 10 minutes after eating, without any accompanying sour taste or heartburn. A barium swallow test indicated normal results, and I was subsequently referred for an endoscopy, which I decided to postpone until next year. Recently, I began noticing that after each meal, or after consuming large amounts of water, I would vomit small quantities of food, along with the fluid. It wasn't accompanied by any feelings of nausea. This includes everything from porridge to rice and noodles, with the output being quite minimal, about three tablespoons at a time. Fortunately, there was no presence of blood during these episodes. It feels as if air is escaping, but it’s mainly the mixture of food and fluid. What could be the underlying cause of this regurgitation? I appreciate any insights you may have on this issue.
Answers (1)
8/18/2025, 6:02:28 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re dealing with persistent vomiting after meals, which can understandably be concerning. Given your medical history and recent symptoms, it’s crucial to understand potential causes and actions you can take.
Main Points:
- Possible Causes: Your symptoms could suggest issues like food intolerance, gastric outlet obstruction, or esophageal problems such as reflux or a motility disorder.
- Monitoring Symptoms: Keep track of your meals and symptoms to identify any patterns or triggers.
- Next Steps: Focus on symptom management and decide on further evaluations, including the postponed endoscopy.
Explanation:
Vomiting clear fluid and small amounts of food after eating might indicate that your stomach or esophagus is not processing food properly. Since you've had normal results from your barium swallow test, some possible causes could be:
- Delayed gastric emptying: This occurs when food takes longer than normal to leave the stomach.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): This might occur without noticeable heartburn.
- Food intolerances or allergies: Certain foods might not be well-tolerated and could trigger regurgitation.
Your history of heart surgery could also relate to how your stomach functions, but without immediate signs of complication (like blood in vomit or severe pain), you can start addressing this with some manageable steps.
Prioritized Next Steps:
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Diet Adjustment: Try eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of larger ones. This might help prevent overwhelming your stomach. Pay attention to the types of foods you consume and try to avoid potential irritants (like spicy foods or high-fat items).
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Keep a Food Diary: Record what you eat and when you vomit. Note any discomfort and patterns. This information can help when you consult with a healthcare provider.
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Re-evaluate the Endoscopy: Given the persistence and quantity of your symptoms, it might be worthwhile to revisit the decision to delay your endoscopy. This procedure can provide more insight into what’s happening in your esophagus and stomach.
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Hydration: Ensure that you’re staying hydrated throughout the day, but try to sip water slowly and avoid drinking large volumes at once.
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Consult Timelines: If vomiting worsens, you start experiencing significant pain or develop new symptoms (like nausea), it’s important to seek medical help sooner than initially planned.
It's essential to listen to your body, and while it’s good to wait for the endoscopy, don’t hesitate to seek help if you notice significant changes. Please take care, and let me know if you have further questions!
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