Trigger vomiting with the finger | How or by what means can vomiting be induced?

Trigger vomiting with the finger

In the back of the throat and the uvula there are many sensory cells that can trigger vomiting when irritated. These sensory cells of the vagus nerve can be reached and stimulated with the finger. However, some patients only react to this stimulation to a very limited extent, while others react very sensitively to it and immediately begin to vomit.

In individual cases this can be a good way to stop or improve nausea. However, if nausea or self-induced vomiting occurs more frequently, a doctor should be contacted. He can find out the reason for the vomiting by examinations and then treat it.

Causing vomiting in the child

Making children vomit is no longer recommended today, it is rather discouraged. A doctor should always be consulted, especially if children are suspected of poisoning. In the case of poisoning, it is often unclear what the child has ingested.

If the child is allowed to vomit, there is also the danger of inhaling vomit (aspiration) or repeated burns due to possibly swallowed acids. If, in special cases, vomiting has to be induced by medication, the emergency physician will use Ipecacuanha syrup; Apomorphine is not to be used in children. Mechanically induced vomiting due to irritation of the uvula can also cause injuries in children if they resist too much, and should not be performed.

Induce vomiting in case of poisoning

In case of poisoning, vomiting often occurs all by itself. In some cases it can also be useful to induce vomiting. In this way one hopes to eliminate some of the toxins from the body before they are absorbed.

However, there are also substances for which vomiting should not occur under any circumstances, such as acids or alkalis. However, the decision on this should be made by a doctor, as only he can decide whether and how the patient can be expected to vomit. A good and safe alternative is to pump the stomach contents through a probe.