Projectile vomiting

There are a number of medical terms that I notice are routinely misused by the public. Not a week goes by, for example, that I don't hear a story about projectile vomiting. I can't remember the last time someone described their throw up as the regular brand. But upon questioning, none of the cases presented to me involved true projectile vomiting.

Vomiting is the forcible expulsion of stomach contents.

Projectile vomiting lacks preceding nausea and is sudden and so vigorous that the vomitus is forcefully projected to a distance. The puke arcs across the room and hits the wall. A baby who projectile vomits in bed will clear the end of the crib. The phenomenon is rare, and is typically associated with serious pathology, such as hypertrophic pyloric stenosis or increased intracranial pressure.

The emesis caused by bad Chinese food, a hangover or the flu, impressive though it may be, is just plain vomiting. Please don't try to dress it up.

Comments

[The Other Pete]

I remember, at age 8, hitting the door from the top of a bunk bed at least 10 feet away. Does that count?

[Sandra Ree]

You're right, I hear it all the time. I think it's human nature to embellish our descriptions of our illnesses.

I've noticed this with people mixing up simple nightmares with night terrors in talking about their toddlers. I do think they think it sounds more official. ellen.

[kurt]

I'm incensed! You mean to tell me all these years people have been lying to me!?

[Martina]

Other Pete: Can't remember the exact physics equation, but I believe we'd need to know the height of the bed and the mass of the vomitus to calculate whether a ten foot range is in keeping with a regular episode of emesis or projectile vomiting. I'm impressed, though.

[George Adams]

Would this count?

http://www.spikedhumor.com/articles/109327/Team_America_Vomit_Scene.html?rh=31746

Or does puppet vomit count for nothing?

[Martina]

I enjoyed the video, thanks.

I had done a quick YouTube search for an appropriate video for this post, but had to stop after watching two or three. Hadn't seen this one though.

And no, even that I don't consider projectile.

[Lynn]

I was almost in the direct line of fire of projectile amniotic fluid. The unexpected arc cleared my shoulder and hit the wall behind me just as I bent down (can't remember what exactly prompted me to move right at that moment).

[Amy Hoogstad]

Hmm, we had some vomiting episodes with Micah early on and I wasn't sure how to answer when the doctors asked if it was projectile - but he did have a bulging fontanelle and pyloric stenosis had to be ruled out with some testing (it ended up being all due to his heart). So now I know if this comes up in the future:) I love that is blog is so educational!

[me.yahoo.com/a/ylZUjc98n.gXZknQ14HDW.W7FPI-]

I had an episode of projectile vomiting in the ER. According to the nurses, it went all the way to the opposite wall, a distance of about 30 feet. They had to take out my IV and replace it and it was pretty gross. They said it was like something out of the movies. Had one other instance after abdominal surgery, when I had post-operative paralytic ileus. That wasn't as far, but still not pleasant.

[Mrvid2002]

Embellishment is part of life as a human. We don't perspire - We "sweat like pigs!" We didn't sidestep a fender-bender - "We were nearly KILLED by a MANIAC in a Mini-Van!" And we didn't trip over our own clumsy feet--Instead we "Nearly broke our necks".

So the bottom line is STOP trying to dress up your vomit. I think that's advice that ALL of us can use.

Susie? Take those pretty ribbons OUT of your puke and go outside and play.

[Carole]

I was very nervous trying to help my spouse with a sling..he was yelling at me etc. suddenly I went into the bathroom and when I vomited it was not a great distance but very forceful and did spew out as only once before under similar situation. Is that stress?

[Carole]

what good is there in commenting if no one can comment back? hmmm Does writing about it simply get rid of the stress?? lol..I don't think so.......