Rumbly in the Tummy: How to Treat Stomach-Related Illnesses

Vomit

What You See: Vomiting after eating

The Diagnosis: Food poisoning

Of course, kids can throw up for reasons unrelated to illness, like carsickness or overeating. But when food poisoning is the culprit, toxins produced by bacteria cause the sudden onset of nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (usually within six hours of eating a contaminated food). Common foods to blame include dairy, produce, meats, eggs, and rice. Here's comforting news for the family: The vomit-inducing toxins aren't contagious.

Treat It: If your child ate a suspect food at home, toss the rest. Fortunately, vomiting usually stops on its own within 48 hours. If your child stays hydrated, it typically isn't dangerous in the absence of other symptoms. It just makes him miserable. Give him frequent but small amounts of fluid until he feels better. If you're worried about dehydration or if the vomiting or diarrhea is unrelenting or bloody, call your doctor.