Vomiting

Vomiting is not only a feature of GI disorders, but is also associated with a wide variety of local and systemic disorders. Therefore, more leads are needed. Ask about the amount, frequency and nature of vomitus—red blood, ‘coffee-ground’, timing of vomit i.e. in relation to meals, AND ask about weight loss, fever, headache and abdominal pain.

Try subdividing into

• Vomiting with weight loss
• Vomiting without weight loss
• Vomiting (within hours) of food
• Vomiting unrelated to food but with abdominal pain AND fever
• Vomiting unrelated to food, with abdominal pain but NO fever (non-metabolic)
• Vomiting unrelated to food, with abdominal pain but NO fever (metabolic)
• Vomiting unrelated to food without abdominal pain but with headaches
• Vomiting unrelated to food and without abdominal pain or headaches