Stomach
Vomiting
Bringing up the contents of the stomach — usually a short-lived response to a tummy bug, migraine or something that has upset the gut, but occasionally a warning of a serious problem such as a bleed, an obstruction or pressure on the brain.
Education and reference only. This explains the common causes of vomiting and the warning signs that need urgent help, in plain language — it is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a clinician. If you feel very unwell or are worried, seek medical help.
Quick answer
What is vomiting?
Vomiting is the forceful emptying of the stomach and is one of the body's most common protective reflexes, triggered by anything from a viral tummy bug or food poisoning to motion, migraine, pregnancy, inner-ear upset or strong pain. Most episodes are short-lived and settle on their own once the trigger passes, and the main risk in that situation is dehydration, especially in the very young, the elderly or those who cannot keep fluids down.
- Get urgent help: Call 999 or go to A&E if you vomit blood, or material that looks like ground coffee — this suggests bleeding in the stomach. Seek urgent help for vomiting that is green, smells of faeces, or comes with a swollen, painful tummy and no bowel movements — this can mean an obstruction.
- Self-care: For a typical short bout of vomiting from a tummy bug, the priority is to stay hydrated and let the stomach rest.
About vomiting
Vomiting is the forceful emptying of the stomach and is one of the body's most common protective reflexes, triggered by anything from a viral tummy bug or food poisoning to motion, migraine, pregnancy, inner-ear upset or strong pain. Most episodes are short-lived and settle on their own once the trigger passes, and the main risk in that situation is dehydration, especially in the very young, the elderly or those who cannot keep fluids down. What turns vomiting from a nuisance into an emergency is the company it keeps and what is brought up: vomiting blood or material that looks like ground coffee suggests bleeding in the stomach; green or faeculent vomit with a swollen, painful tummy and no bowel movements suggests an obstruction; and vomiting with the worst headache of your life, a stiff neck, drowsiness or after a head injury can signal a problem inside the skull. Recognising these patterns is what matters most.
When to get help
Call 999 or go to A&E if vomiting comes with any of these warning signs:
- Call 999 or go to A&E if you vomit blood, or material that looks like ground coffee — this suggests bleeding in the stomach.
- Seek urgent help for vomiting that is green, smells of faeces, or comes with a swollen, painful tummy and no bowel movements — this can mean an obstruction.
- Call 999 for vomiting with a sudden, severe headache, a stiff neck, drowsiness, confusion or a fit, which can signal meningitis or bleeding around the brain.
- Seek urgent help for vomiting with sudden severe tummy or chest pain, or vomiting after a head injury.
- Seek urgent help for signs of dehydration — passing little urine, sunken eyes, drowsiness or dizziness — especially in a baby, young child or older person.
When to see a doctor
Most vomiting from a tummy bug settles within a day or two and only needs rest and fluids. Seek urgent or emergency help if you vomit blood, if the vomit is green or smells of faeces, if there is a severe headache or stiff neck, sudden severe tummy or chest pain, or vomiting after a head injury. Get advice promptly if you cannot keep any fluids down, if vomiting lasts more than a couple of days, if you are pregnant and being sick repeatedly, or if a baby, young child or older person shows signs of dehydration. Persistent or recurrent vomiting with no clear cause also needs review.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
What can cause it
Common causes of vomiting
Vomiting has many possible causes. Each links to a full, plain-language guide to that condition — what it is, how it's treated and when to seek help.
What helps
Self-care and what you can do
For a typical short bout of vomiting from a tummy bug, the priority is to stay hydrated and let the stomach rest. Take small, frequent sips of water or an oral rehydration drink rather than large amounts at once, and once the sickness eases, ease back gently onto bland foods. Rest, avoid rich, greasy or spicy meals for a day or two, and wash your hands carefully to avoid spreading infection. Watch for signs of dehydration such as a dry mouth, dark urine, dizziness or passing little urine, which are more dangerous in babies, young children and older people. Seek advice if you cannot keep any fluids down, if the vomiting persists, or if any of the danger signs below appear.
Answers
Vomiting: frequently asked questions
When is vomiting an emergency?
Get emergency help if you vomit blood or coffee-ground material, if the vomit is green or smells of faeces with a swollen tummy, if there is a severe headache or stiff neck, sudden severe tummy or chest pain, or vomiting after a head injury.
How do I avoid getting dehydrated?
Take small, frequent sips of water or a rehydration drink rather than gulping large amounts. Watch for a dry mouth, dark urine, dizziness or passing little urine, and seek help if you cannot keep fluids down — dehydration is more dangerous in the very young and the elderly.
What does coffee-ground vomit mean?
Vomit that looks like ground coffee is partly digested blood and suggests bleeding in the stomach. This needs emergency assessment, so call 999 or go to A&E.
Is vomiting in pregnancy normal?
Some nausea and vomiting is common in early pregnancy, but severe, persistent vomiting that stops you keeping food or fluids down can cause dehydration and needs medical assessment rather than being left.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Nausea and vomiting in adults.
- British Society of Gastroenterology: upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
Related symptoms
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