Watery Diarrhea|Vomiting And Diarrhea|Toddler Diarrhea

One major cause of indoor pollution is the unnecessary use of home decorating and air cleaning products. Volatile organic compounds also known as (VOCs) disperse from a lot of these products, causing the level of pollutants in indoor air to be more than 100 times higher than outdoors. You can reduce the level of pollutants in your house by taking into consideration the following suggestions.

You can open up the windows of your home on the next sunny day and let out all the pollutants that have converged there. Because scented cleaning products and synthetic room fresheners contain such a high percentage of VOCs, they should be avoided. They not only poison the air, they can also provoke skin, eye and respiratory reactions and harm the natural environment. Put a vase of flowers in an area where a refreshing and natural scent is desired.

A report conducted some ten years ago by New Scientist revealed surprising data about aerosol sprays and air fresheners. In homes where these products were utilized on a regular basis, mothers suffered 25 percent more headaches and were 19 percent more prone to experience depression; and infants below six months of age had 30 percent more ear infections and 22 percent higher cases of diarrhea.

Users should know about the practice of "green washing" before they go to purchase "green" cleaning alternatives. Just because the word "natural" may appear on a label does not necessarily make it so, and the consumer must be aware of this. The word is not only vague; it is also unregulated and can be applied to anything and everything without qualification. Focus should be directed solely on eco-friendly components listed on the product label as indicated by David Steinman the co-author of The Safe Shopper's Bible. Some of these include: grain alcohol, coconut or other plant oils in detergents and plant-oil disinfectants such as eucalyptus, rosemary or sage.

Homemade cleaners can also be very effective. By combining water, baking soda, plain soap, vinegar, washing soda (sodium carbonate), lemon juice, and borax, you can make a safe and effective home cleaner. Keep away from hazardous cleaning products, which according to Philip Dickey of the Washington Toxics Coalition, include: corrosive drain cleaners, oven cleaners, acidic toilet-bowl cleaners, and anything with chlorine or ammonia (which can be fatal if combined).

Allergies: Cough, Cough, Sneeze, Sneeze, Ohh what a relief!! NOT........

Having allergies can be one of the most annoying conditions you can have the pleasure of being blessed with. Your head is clogged or nose is running a marathon, your eyes are watery or itchy and you have been blessed so many times you would think God himself had heard you sneezing. It makes your day miserable and most medications you can take will only make you sleepy.

Allergies can be caused from almost anything, mold, dust, pollen from trees or flowers, animal fur, insect bites, household chemicals and more to list the most common. The excess of mucus can be caused by a poor diet and even stress can bring allergies on. To get rid of allergies naturally with no side effects, we suggest some of the following remedies and then changing your diet for continued prevention.

For relief of your allergies you can go to any local health food or herbal store and pick up these herbs. You should pick the one that fits you best and if you don't see improvement within three days discontinue and re-evaluate your symptoms and back to the drawing board. Use the remedy that best fits your symptoms. Again, only choose one remedy for three days before trying another. Stop taking remedy as soon as you experience relief.

• Allium Cepa- If you have burning, watery eyes and a runny nose. Your symptoms feel better outside in the open air.


• Euphrasia- Can be taken if you're experiencing burning teary, red eyes. You can also use Eye-Bright, 5 drops ratio to 翻 ounce saline for your irritated eyes. Apply twice daily.


• Sabadilla- Take this if you suffer from repeated "ah choo's" i.e. sneezes and runny nose.


• Histaminum- Are you experiencing normal allergy symptoms which have a sudden onset? This helps!!!


• Natrum Muriaticum- Take this if you sneeze at the sun and get re-occurring cold sores. Craving salt might also be a concern for you.


• Silica- Can be used when upper respiratory problems develop into an infection, do you feel irritable and tired??? Silica screams "USE ME!"


• Nux Vomica- You may wake up sneezing and crave stimulants such as tobacco or sweets.


• Arsenicum Album- You will have burning eyes and constant runny nose causing red and sore irritation under the nose. You are sensitive and have many allergies.


• Lycopodium- For people with only one-sided nasal congestion and throat issues. If you are in this category, you might also experience bloating after meals.


• Pulsatilla- Do your allergies get worse in warm conditions or have a lot of congestion at night. This one is definitely for you...


• Stinging nettles - For Hay Fever.

I would also suggest taking 1,000 mg of Vitamin C which is a natural anti-histamine, three to five times daily. If this gives you diarrhea you can decrease the dosage or try taking Quercitin. Also, Butterbur has been studied and found to be better than Allegra and comparable to Zyrtec. In the evening, take a hot bath with Chamomile or Lavender to induce sweat and clean out toxins.

Now that you have gotten rid of the symptoms of your allergy, try some of these dietary changes to prevent further episodes.

We Recommend:

• Increase your whole grains. This is something we should all be doing anyway.


• Increase you intake of fresh vegetables and fruits to help with detoxification. You might try a 3 day vegetable juice fast for best results.


• Cold pressed oils and raw seeds and nuts.


• You will need to increase your lean protein such as seafood and tofu.


• Drink all the water you can. This will cut mucus secretions.


• Take flaxseed or flaxseed oil to reduce inflammation, 2 tablespoons every day.

We do not recommend:

• Dairy products, fried foods or processed foods, refined flours, chocolate and eggs. Dairy only makes mucus secretions thicker.


• Cut down on fats and oils and trans-fatty acids.

We also have many products in the surrounding areas of this page; please click on any of these remedies for reoccurring symptoms and relief remedies.

If you have never heard of chlorella then make sure you read this entire article for a full perspective on the chlorella health solution. Chlorella supplements may very well be exactly what you have been looking for in a health supplement. Why? Because chlorella is one of those supplements that is given the rare classification of "superfood." And that is exactly what it is. It is not a synthetic vitamin, but rather a whole food supplement that, when taken on a daily basis, will lead to superior health. In other words, take chlorella for good health.

Chlorella falls into the green food category, and is a single-cell, blue-green algae. The nutrition content is so rich that one could quite conceivably live on a diet of chlorella and water alone. A single chlorella vitamin is loaded with all sorts of vitamins and minerals, protein, essential fatty acids, phytochemicals, chlorophyll, and much more (it has been speculated that some of its beneficial health properties have yet to be identified and/or discovered). The chlorella health benefits are nearly endless, and some have called it nature's perfect food.

Do not overlook the fact that chlorella is a natural, whole food. This is important and is one of the key benefits. Synthetic supplements are much more difficult for your body to digest, and often times the vitamins you take may not be very well utilized (low absorption and bioavailability) by your body. Chlorella supplements, on the other hand, will be readily digested and absorbed by your body,because a chlorella vitamin is real food and compatible with your body which was designed to eat and use its nutritional contents.

What are some of the things chlorella health supplements may be able to do for you? Chlorella has helped people with all types of cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver conditions, asthma, arthritis, a variety of degenerative diseases, nerve damage, constipation, depression, obesity, and many other serious health concerns. If you do not currently have a serious health condition, take chlorella for a very big boost to your immune system and overall health, and its impact will potentially allow you to avoid any of these serious health problems in the future. Prevention is the best possible health solution.

Are you looking for a plant-based protein source? Every chlorella vitamin is extremely protein rich. So, if you prefer a diet with little or no meat in it but still want to get plenty of protein, the nutritional contents of chlorella health supplements will meet your needs.

Are you looking for something to help cleanse your body of toxins, including heavy metals? Chlorella supplements offer a solution. They are a tremendous source of chlorophyll, and chlorophyll is one of nature's best detoxifying and cleansing agents; and they are especially beneficial to all of those who eat refined and processed foods.

Are you looking for something that can truly help you with serious diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes? One of the benefits of the chlorella vitamin is to help people lower cholesterol and cleanse arteries. It has displayed fantastic anti-tumor properties. It has also been found to have an ability to assist in the regulation of blood sugar levels.

While the chlorella health benefits are tremendous, a couple words of caution are necessary. There are a couple of side effects that need to be mentioned. Chlorella will more than likely cause you to have loose (or looser) stools. So, if you already suffer from a disorder such as IBS or have bouts of diarrhea you will want to introduce it slowly into your daily diet. Also, be aware that chlorella will more than likely cause your stool to appear green, which is a good indicator that you are getting a sufficient amount. If your stool is not green you should add a little more chlorella to your daily intake. Green is good.

Beyond that, no caution is needed. Remember, a chlorella vitamin is a natural, whole food. Your body will recognize it as such, and it will digest, process, and utilize it as if you were eating raw fruits or vegetables. So once your body adapts, so to speak, to the chlorella health supplements, it is up to you as to how much to take (eat) on any given day.

Here is a good rule of thumb to remember when adding chlorella to your diet. If you already have a serious health condition, take at least 10 grams/day. For maintenance purposes, 3 - 5 grams/day should be sufficient. Again, chlorella is food, and you may take more than any recommended amounts if you so desire.

As you can see, the chlorella vitamin really is a super food. And its benefits seem to be nearly unlimited. It is relatively inexpensive, and it may very well replace any other supplements you are already taking. So, are chlorella supplements really nature's perfect food? That will be up to you to decide, but the chlorella health benefits sure make it a good candidate.

Not all foods or household items are dog-friendly. In fact, some are poisonous and even deadly. Just like their two-legged counterparts, there are many poisons in food and surroundings that dogs need to avoid.

Common food poisoning bacteria, as salmonella, e. coli and yersinia, affect dogs as well as humans. Use the rule that if you don't want it served to you, don't serve it to your dog. Homemade foods, especially meat components, should be properly cooked to prevent food-borne illness. Storage and cooking removes vitamins and minerals, so supplements when appropriate should be added prior to feeding.

If untreated, symptoms can last up to 3 days and be fatal!

The younger the dog, the more dangerous is the risk of chocolate poisoning. Cooking chocolate is the most dangerous for dogs. Two different toxins called methyxanthines are in chocolate: caffeine and alkaloid theobromine (lesser known and more dangerous). Ingesting chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, muscle tremors, excessive thirst with frequent urination. The dog can become agitated and start pacing. More dangerous symptoms can develop including elevated/irregular heart rate, blood pressure changes and seizures.

Not thinking about the ingredients?

You might wish to treat your dog to a family leftover, not thinking about the ingredients. Onions and garlic contain substances called disulphides that can poison your dog. Disulphides damage the surface of red blood cells, causing them to burst. The result is a disease called Heinz body anemia. The dog becomes weak and breathless, and may require a blood transfusion for recovery. The red pigment in urine (hemoglobinuria) is easily confused with urinary tract problems.

Poisons in different mushrooms can have a variety of results for your dog: kidney and liver failure (with abdominal pain), delirium, vomiting and diarrhea, seizures, coma, possibly death. Symptoms can begin 20 minutes to 8 hours after ingestion. Pay attention when walking your dog in grassy or forest areas!

Grapes can be a fatal poison for your dog.

Dogs everywhere love grapes but in 1989, the ASPCA reported an emerging trend - nearly all dogs that consumed grapes or raisins developed kidney failure. When medical care was sought, elevated levels of blood calcium, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and phosphorous were observed. These chemicals reflect kidney function. If urine production is halted, grapes can be a fatal poison for your dog. Treatment can be successful with immediate medical intervention - call your vet!

Whether bones are good or poisonous for dogs is hotly-debated. Cooked bones become dry and brittle, absorb water from the dog's gut, and cause constipation and intestinal blockage. Many raw bones can splinter and perforate the gut, usually requiring surgery to repair. Bone fragments can also lodge in the mouth or throat, causing discomfort, mouth roof punctures, dental damage, and choking at worst. Raw bones can be poisonous to your dog if contaminated by bacteria. Overindulging in bone marrow, which is mostly fat, can result in pancreatitis in susceptible dogs.

Other potential poisonous foods for your dog are:

• Pear pits, kernels of plums, peaches and apricots, apple core pits (contain cyanogenic glycosides resulting in cyanide poisoning).


• Potato peelings and green looking potatoes.


• Rhubarb leaves.


• Moldy/spoiled foods.


• Alcohol.


• Yeast dough.


• Coffee grounds, beans and tea (caffeine).


• Hops (used in home brewing).


• Tomato leaves and stems.


• Broccoli in large amounts.


• Turkey skin.

Antifreeze, that collects on road surfaces and driveways, smells and tastes good to your dog but is poisonous and very lethal. Other very accessible outdoor poisons to avoid for your dog are: charcoal lighter fluid, gasoline, kerosene, lead, lime, paint thinner, cleaning fluids, rodent poison, turpentine, cocoa mulch.

Household poisons for your dog to avoid are: cigarettes/tobacco/cigars, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, caffeine pills, acetone, ammonia, bleach, deodorants, furniture polish, fly strips, insecticides, mothballs, rubbing alcohol, soap.

If your pet accidentally ingests any food, plant or chemical poison, call your veterinarian right away or the National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-900-680-0000.

Common plants that are poisonous to your dog are: amaryllis, azalea bush, boxwood, cactus, columbine, daffodil flower bud, dumbcane, English ivy, foxglove, hemlock, honeysuckle, horse chestnut, ivy, lily of the valley, lupine, marijuana, mistletoe, morning glory, oleander, philodendron, poinsettia, rhubarb, skunk cabbage, tulip bulb, yew.

The question many people face when they develop abdominal pain is "When do I need to have it checked out?"

Obviously that is a question that does not have a simple answer.  Abdominal pain can be caused by a variety of disease processes that are often difficult to distinguish without an experience physician's examination.  However, there are some clues that might tip you off to the most commonly seen causes of abdominal pain.

Appendicitis - Aching pain in the right lower abdomen that develops gradually and progressively over the course of 1-3 days.  It is often accompanied by fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.  It is often exacerbated by jarring movements such as jumping.  It does require surgery, so if there is any question, please seek medical care.

Gallstones - Pain is in the right upper abdomen and will often follow meals.  It can be episodic and is frequently accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea and fevers.  Risk factors include female gender, obesity, middle age, and a history of having several children.  Gallstones also require surgery so seek medical care for an evaluation and likely an Ultrasound.

Kidney Stones - Pain is severe and begins suddenly in either flank.  It is often accompanied by blood in the urine, a sensation of needing to urinate frequently, and radiation of the pain down toward the groin.  Medications to control pain and nausea are frequently needed.

Pancreatitis - This an illness frequently seen in alcohol abusers or those with gallstones but can have other causes.  It causes a severe pain in the upper mid-abdomen and is almost always associated with vomiting.  It does require pain and nausea medications to control the symptoms in most cases.

Ulcers/Gastritis - Burning pain in the upper midline or off to either side.  It is episodic in nature and is usually worsened by eating.  Medications are usually required to alleviate the symptoms.

Urinary Tract Infection - Lower midline pain that is worsened by urination.  There is often a burning sensation, frequent urination, and urgency of urination.  This can progress if untreated to pyelonephritis which is an infection involving the kidneys that can result in kidney damage.  Pyelonephritis is often accompanied by fever, vomiting and flank pain.  UTI and Pyelonephritis are both treated with antibiotics.

Small Bowel Obstruction- In those individuals with a history of hernias or previous abdominal surgery, an obstruction to the intestinal tract can result in pain and vomiting.  This will require admission to the hospital and possible surgery.

Gastroenteritis (or stomach flu)- The final and least dangerous but most common illness we will discuss is gastroenteritis which is usually viral in origin.  It results in vomiting, diarrhea and often chills and body aches.  Typically, it will resolve in a day or two, but may require IV therapy and or medications to control the symptoms.

This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all illness which can cause abdominal pain.  Rather, it is intended as a basic guide for the general public.

Dehydration is a topic that I can readily identify with at this time as my wonderful 80 year old mother has been fighting cancer for two years now and is attempting her third round of chemotherapy, but has recently been hospitalized from complications due to severe dehydration. It is very important for people fighting cancer to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of dehydration before it leads to serious health issues.

People taking chemotherapy often have several side effects such as vomiting and diarrhea and this can lead to dehydration. If this occurs, they should be closely monitored before the dehydration becomes severe.

The definition of dehydration is the loss of body fluids that can occur because of vomiting, diarrhea, sweating heavily, and being exposed to the sun for long periods of time. These fluids are essential for our bodies to work properly and without them, our bodies cannot function the way they are supposed to.

There are several signs of dehydration such as the following:

* dizziness, general feeling of weakness
* less urine output
* dry mouth
* thirst
* difficulty in swallowing dry foods
* dry skin/lips

If you experience a small amount of urine output or none at all during a 12 hour time period or if your urine is dark in color or you experience dizziness or fainting when you stand up, you should call your doctor and get checked. Dehydration can also effect your mind and throw you into a state of confusion.

One of the best ways to prevent dehydration is to try to drink plenty of fluids. This may sound simple, but when you are fighting nausea and diarrhea, it can become a difficult task to drink properly. Try to drink small amounts to a time or a few ounces of clear liquid every 15 to 30 minutes until you are able to keep larger amounts down. Try ice chunks as they can be good for a dry mouth and also for small amounts of fluid intake.

Do not drink large amounts of caffeinated beverages such as sodas and coffee to try to prevent dehydration as large amounts of caffeine can reduce your urine output and lead to dehydration.

If you feel like you are getting dehydrated or you are at risk, call your doctor! Your doctor can treat vomiting and diarrhea with medications and this will reduce the risk of becoming dehydrated. They also may give you certain fluids or oral rehydrating solutions depending on your condition. In some cases, fluids may need to be given to you intravenously. You should always check with your doctor first before you attempt to take anything such as salt tablets or your own oral hydrating solution to help with dehydration.

I hope that you found this information useful and if you would like more information on ways to live healthy, then please visit my eating healthy web site where you will find great free information to help you live a long and healthy life.

Two years ago the Children's Hospital in Boston started a treatment programme for child migraine sufferers. At the end of the programme, of the children who had received acupuncture treatments, 70 per cent of them stated that their migraine intensity levels were reduced.

When parents were asked to confirm, 55 per cent agreed that their children did indeed reap the benefits from acupuncture treatments. Out of all the kids in the study, only one said that their symptoms got worse by undergoing acupuncture.

Another study, also done at the Children's Hospital in Boston, focused on acupuncture treatment on children between the ages of 6 months to 18 years. These kids were sufferers of headaches, back pain, stomach problems, and other common childhood complaints. At the beginning of the study the patients ranked their pain as an eight upon ten. At the end of the year, the average pain rating plummeted to three. The children were also sleeping better and attending school more often.

Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese practice where very fine needles are inserted into the skin of the patients in order to restore the Qi (energy) and ultimately help to relieve pain and treat diseases, is common amongst Singaporean adults. But is it suitable for children?

Acupuncture and your child

According to Huaxia Acupuncture & Chinese Medical Centre, and 2M Chinese Physican, yes. Both centres say that Acupuncture can be done on children as young as infants, as long as they are able to take the discomfort of the needles. Usually massaging, before injecting the needles, is advised for the younger age group.

Acupuncture can be used to treat childhood illnesses, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), eczema, asthma, depression, and upset stomachs in kids. It can also help with bedwetting. Depending on the condition, the specifics of the treatment (frequency, dosage, strength) needed may vary. Conditions such as simple diarrhea or fever can be treated with one possibly two treatments, while an eating disorder may take up to or more than 10 total sessions. If more than 10 sessions are needed a slight break between sessions will take place, then back to more treatments. Children's sessions at both centres usually last for between 30-45 minutes.

If you do indeed decide to try acupuncture for your child though keep in mind that you need to go to a licensed acupuncturist. There are requirements and training that will need to be met in order for the acupuncturist to have their license. It also best to consult with your GP or Pead first.

High fiber food is recommended by vets for chubby dogs because it has less calories than regular food. Foods with high fiber have the same effect on dogs that it has on people which we know is good for us. There are also other added purposes for using food high in fiber.

One of the other benefits from a high fiber food is that it makes your dogs' stool "bulky" and that can eliminate constipation, it also stimulates your dog's digestive system and enhances your dogs' colon health.

If your dog is diabetic I am sure you are familiar with the knowledge that a high fiber food has its advantages in controlling the changes in levels of their blood sugar. This of course is preferable for the well being of your dog.

One of the other values of a diet including high fiber food is the prevention of bacteria buildup. When bacteria is allowed to grow in the colon it causes diseases and colon cancer can result.

Have you ever heard of "anal gland disease". This is when the glands around the opening of your pets anus gets infected. You will notice if your animal is scampering around the floor on his bottom or licking there a lot. For this infection you will have to see your vet. You can reduce the risk of this by using a high fiber food.

All of the components of fiber are really carbohydrates. The most familiar ones are rice, bran, corn and peanuts.

Fiber is not considered a necessary ingredient in dog food. I was surprised to find this out. I was also shocked to find out that what most commercial dog food makers use for fiber is hair or newspaper. You need to be cautious when buying your pet food from your grocery store.

Fiber is necessary for your dogs' well being, but too much fiber can cause diarrhea or gas.

Check with your vet and find out if your pet should have a high fiber food. Maybe all your friend needs is some extra fiber. You can give your dog these things to increase their fiber intake:

• Tomato

• Apples

• Wheat

• Rice

• Carrots

• Citrus

• Green beans

If your vet says that your dog would do better with a high fiber food you can look at getting a holistic dog food, or making homemade dog food. When making homemade dog food you can put in the ingredients that are best for your dog. Holistic dog food will have natural foods which are normally higher in fiber.

Read the label of any dog food you are buying, some of the ingredients are not nutritious. Because we think of our pets as family you can't be too cautious when buying a high fiber dog food.

These days, many people are finding themselves without health insurance or the money to afford regular visits to the doctor. If you can't afford to have a doctor write you a prescription any time you're sick, it's probably a good idea to become more educated about natural ways to protect your body from the invasion of viruses and pathogens. Lactobacillus acidophilus is live culture and natural antibiotic that's present in some foods that you may already be eating. By taking acidophilus supplements you can help reinforce your body's immune system against illness.

Understanding How Lactobacillus Acidophilus Probiotic Works

The scientific translation of lactobacillus acidophilus is "acid-loving milk-bacterium," which means that lactobacillus acidophilus is a type of live bacteria that like to ferment certain sugars found in milk into lactic acid. Lactobacillus bacteria are one of only four hundred different kinds of bacteria that can exist in your gastrointestinal tract. Thankfully, most of these are helpful bacteria that can feed on the harmful types that could wreak havoc on your digestive system. Eating certain types of food, like yogurt, can help your body maintain the balance of good bacteria in your intestines, but often you have to turn to lactobacillus acidophilus supplements to get the amounts that you need.

What Are The Benefits Of Taking Lactobacillus Acidophilus Supplements?

Many people don't realize that this particular strain of lactobacillus bacteria is able to successfully suppress the growth of commonly known pathogens like Salmonella and E.Coli. If these pathogens are allowed to grow unabated, individuals can start to experience:

• diarrhea
• vomiting
• inflammation
• abdominal cramps in the intestinal tract

These symptoms can become very serious, and it often requires hospitalization to reverse their growth. If you want to make sure these kinds of pathogens can never take up residence in your body, arm your digestive tract with lactobacillus acidophilus supplements.

Advantages of Supplements That Contain Lactobacillus Acidophilus Probiotic

There are plenty of brands of probiotic supplements on the market today, and if you're shopping strictly because of price or brand name, you might not actually be buying the lactobacillus acidophilus supplements that will be most effective for your condition. Probiotics in general can offer a unique blend of prebiotics, probiotics and fiber that are guaranteed to work quickly, safely, and gently to improve the health of your digestive system. Benefits of lactobacillus bacteria:

• produces enzymes to aid the body's digestion of proteins and fats
• absorbs nutrients, stimulates immune system function
• regulates bowel activity and liver function
• improves symptoms associated with indigestion and diarrhea
• produces Vitamins K and B

If you want to take advantage of all the digestive health benefits that lactobacillus acidophilus supplements offer, now would be the best time to investigate adding probiotics to your diet. With just a simple daily dose of lactobacillus bacteria, you'll be getting all the probiotics you need to live a healthier life.

Vomiting in dogs is a very common occurrence and can arise from a wide variety of causes, from simple gastritis to complex diseases of other body systems. Not only is it very distressing for both the dog and owner, it also provides a challenge for the veterinarian. This article explains the multiple causes of vomiting in dogs, including adverse food reactions, and the range of treatment options available.

What is vomiting?

Vomiting is the expulsion of food, fluid or debris from the stomach or small intestine due to coordinated movements of the gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and nervous systems. It is important to differentiate this from regurgitation, which is a passive process rather than a coordinated effort like vomiting.

Regurgitation is a sign of disease in the esophagus, such as obstructions (foreign bodies such as a stick, bone or toy, or a stricture), esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) or megaesophagus (dilatation of the esophagus due to weakening of the smooth muscle). The main difference between regurgitation and vomiting is that regurgitation is effortless, while vomiting is accompanied by strong abdominal contractions.

How can I tell vomiting and regurgitation apart?

Sometimes this is not easy to do. Generally speaking, if it happens immediately after eating it is more likely to be regurgitation (though vomiting can still occur then). If the content of the material expelled appears to be completely undigested food, this also supports regurgitation. If the presence of bile can be confirmed though, it is more likely to be vomiting.

Causes of vomiting

The most common causes of vomiting are dietary related, either through dietary indiscretion (e.g. overeating, eating overly rich or spoiled food) which causes acute (sudden) vomiting, or adverse food reactions (food allergies) which can cause chronic (long term and intermittent) vomiting.

However, there are a huge number of other causes arising from either the gastrointestinal system itself (stomach and small intestine) or secondary to disease elsewhere in the body (e.g. liver or kidney disease). Within the stomach, possible causes include:

1. Gastritis (inflammatory disease)

2. Stomach ulceration

3. Stomach cancer

4. Obstruction (foreign bodies, telescoping of intestine)

5. Hiatal hernia (part stomach herniating through the diaphragm)

Possible causes within the intestine include:

1. Infectious diseases (e.g. parvovirus)

2. Worms

3. Inflammatory bowel disease

4. Intestinal cancer

Secondary causes of vomiting that are due to disease elsewhere in the body include:

1. Pancreatitis (infection or inflammation of the pancreas)

2. Peritonitis (infection in the abdominal cavity)

3. Hepatitis (liver inflammation)

4. Kidney failure

5. Pyometra (infection of the uterus)

6. Hormonal deficiencies or excesses (e.g. Addisons disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Septicemia, Calcium imbalance)

Other potential causes that do not fit into the above categories are drug reactions (e.g. digoxin, chemotherapy drugs, NSAIDs) and neurological disorders.

Treatment of vomiting

Vomiting is a symptom, not a disease in itself. Whether or not treatment is appropriate depends upon the individual circumstances. If the dog is only vomiting occasionally, is bright and otherwise normal on examination, treatment is probably not necessary. Some dogs with sensitive digestive systems will vomit once or twice a month regardless of any treatment, and if they are otherwise well this should be ignored.

For acute vomiting cases, the first step should always be to starve the dog for 24 hours (while keeping plenty of water available ad lib). After the period of starvation, the dog should be offered small portions of a very bland food, such as chicken and boiled rice, for a few days. Meals should be fed as smaller portions several times a day, rather than one larger meal.

Though treating the symptom itself will often improve patient demeanor and comfort, it is no replacement for making a correct diagnosis of the underlying cause, and certain drugs can be harmful if given blindly (for example, giving metoclopromide to a dog with a gastric or intestinal obstruction). Certainly cases of acute and severe vomiting require immediate treatment, as dogs can become rapidly dehydrated, develop electrolyte imbalances and aspiration pneumonia otherwise.

Managing the vomiting dog

There are 2 goals when dealing with a vomiting dog:

1. Identify the underlying cause

2. Stop the vomiting in a safe and effective manner

In many cases, anti emetic therapy (the technical term for vomiting is emesis, and therefore drugs used to treat it are called anti emetics) is instigated immediately while the cause is being established.

A veterinarian will start by taking a full history, focusing especially on normal diet, recent medication, vaccination status and the description of the symptoms. He or she must first make sure that the dog is genuinely vomiting and not regurgitating, which has a completely different set of underlying causes. It is also important to get a graphic description of the material expelled, and whether it contained bile, fresh blood or what appears to be coffee granules (partly digested blood).

The next step is a full clinical examination, including carefully feeling the abdomen, taking the dogs rectal temperature and assessing the hydration status. Once this is completed, a veterinarian will have a slightly narrowed down list of differential diagnoses in mind. If the dog is not dehydrated, bright in demeanor, and both vital parameters and feeling the abdomen were normal, the veterinarian will often (and rightly so) make a presumptive diagnosis of gastritis, or gastroenteritis if diarrhea is present too, and prescribe antibiotics to combat the likely bacterial infection. The owner is then likely to be sent home with instructions to starve the dog for 24hrs and give bland food for a few days, alongside the antibiotics. The owner is instructed to monitor the dog closely, and return immediately if there are any signs of deterioration, or 2 to 3 days later for a routine check up.

If there are any findings in the clinical history or the physical examination that trigger concern, then further tests are necessary. The first of these is usually blood tests for hematology and biochemistry profiles. Urine and feces may also be analysed, the latter for either nasty bacteria or parasites. Additional laboratory tests may be required in certain circumstances, such as bile acid stimulation testing if liver dysfunction is suspected, or an ACTH stimulation test to look for adrenal disease.

The next stage of the work up involves imaging. The most useful is abdominal radiography (xrays), but ultrasonography and endoscopy can also be very important. Radiography and endoscopy both have to be carried out under general anesthesia, while ultrasonography can be performed conscious. If the imaging does not reveal the underlying cause then biopsies may be taken, either endoscopically guided or via exploratory surgery. Histopathology of these samples (studying the tissue microscopically) can give vital clues as to the cause, particularly by differentiating between inflammation and cancer.

The final diagnostic option is the therapeutic trial. If the dog gets better on the medication prescribed, then it must have been a certain type of disease that responds to that drug. By this rationale, wormers, antibiotics or an exclusion diet trial may be chosen.

Drugs used in the treatment of vomiting

1. Stomach protectants and antacids

These medications are useful when stomach ulceration is suspected. Examples include sucralfate (acts like a band aid over the ulcer), H2 antagonists (reduce acid production) and omeprazole (also reduces acidity).

2. Metoclopromide

This drug blocks a neurotransmitter in the brain called dopamine, which prevents activation of the vomiting centre in the brain (known as the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone). It is only partially effective in doing this though, and has the additional effect of increasing forward motility of the gut. This means it must never be given to dogs that might have a stomach or intestinal obstruction. It can also cause mental changes such as hyperactivity and disorientation.

3. Phenothiazines (e.g. Acepromazine, ACP)

These are effective at blocking the dopamine receptors mentioned above, in addition to other receptors involved in the vomiting reflex. They are usually used when metoclopromide has failed, but also have undesirable side effects such as low blood pressure and sedation.

4. Antihistamines

Histamine receptors are also present in the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone, the part of the brain that controls the vomiting reflex. Antihistamines are effective in blocking vomiting that is due to motion sickness, but are little use against other causes.

5. Domperidone

Domperidone has a similar action to metoclopromide in that it blocks dopamine receptors and secondarily blocks serotonin receptors, but it does not have the promotility effects of metoclopromide. However, side effects include vulval enlargement and possible effects on fertility.

6. Maropitant

This is a new drug that is a Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonist. It can be given orally or by injection, and is extremely effective at stopping vomiting by working both on the vomiting centre in the brain and on the stomach itself. It is deemed so effective at stopping vomiting that veterinarians must be careful to properly investigate potentially dangerous underlying causes, that could be masked fatally by this drug.