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What Causes Vomiting,headaches And Bloating At Bed Time?
Question: My daughter is showing no signs of illness until bedtime then when laying down she will vomit but only a small amount she has headaches and bloating we have ruled reflux she has had a clear MRI and never has a temperature and typically when she has vomited once she will go to bed all night with no problem. This is getting more regular do you have any ideas
Brief Answer:
Possible problems to vomiting at bedtime...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through the medical history of your daughter and can mention the following possible problems related to her vomit when laying down:
- any trauma she had prior to symptoms start
- the early signs of a possible migraine
- her psychological/emotional state
- hormonal changes (entering the adolescence)
- foods she eats at dinner
If I was her caring doctor would suggest to run the following exams apart MRI:
- stool examination for ova/parasites
- abdominal ultrasound
- urine analysis
- complete blood work
- get her eyes examined further
- run neurological tests (Electroencephalogram) to rule out neurological problems
- measure her blood pressure and blood sugar level when she starts vomiting and record the results
I also advise:
- not to lay down immediately after eating
- go to bed at least 4 hours after dinner (not earlier)
- visit her at school to see if she is having problems at school and to see if she is sociable. Talk to her teachers too to understand her attitude at school.
All these data should be further analyzed to get the final conclusions.
Hope it was of help! Let me know if you need further clarifications!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi. Thanks for your reply. Please could you explain what kind of parasites you would be looking for in the stool to produce these symptoms? None of her doctors have taken stool samples so far.
She has had extensive neurological exams by a pediatrician but these have all been in the form of checking reflexes, balance and muscle use etc (in addition to the MRI) and have given normal results. Please could you explain how the electroencephalogram works and what would it measure?
I asked our pediatrician about possible endoscopy but she has said she doesnt think that is necessary although she might consider doing a barium swallow. Is this used to investigate different issues than abdominal ultrasound? What would you be looking for in an abdominal ultrasound?
We know she is in adrenarche, but not menarche (blood test results showed this). Could these hormones cause the gastric problems?
She has also been tested for thryoid disorders, diabetes as well as kidney and liver function. All these came back normal.
We have been talking regularly with the school and they are convinced that she is happy and not having difficulties. We also have the impression she enjoys school and she seems to have plenty of friends and enthusiasm for her classes and her homework.
She has been on a gluten free diet for a few days now (tested negative for celiac) but there is no improvement in her symptoms. If gluten is involved in this problem how long should be wait before we could expect to see an improvement by following the new diet?
Thanks for your help.
Brief Answer:
Following answers to your queries...
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Thank you for following up.
Please find the following answers to your questions:
- "Please could you explain what kind of parasites you would be looking for in the stool to produce these symptoms? " - Pinworms and protozoa like Giardia intestinalis are the most common among children at school age.
- Electroencephalogram is a safe procedure where electrodes are put on the head of your daughter measuring waves coming from the brain. It will evaluate the work (function) of neurones (nerves) inside the brain.
- Abdominal ultrasound will evaluate the morphology of liver, gallbladder, bowels, bladder, kidney, etc. I also do not think that endoscopy is necessary at your daughter's case.
With regards to barium study, it will evaluate the inner part of the GI organs, the part that cannot be evaluated by abdominal ultrasound.
- Hormonal changes during the pre-puberty life-stage can also have their influences. However, other organic problems should be ruled out first. Evaluation of hormonal balance will conclude these problems.
- I am glad that other metabolic problems have been excluded together with psychological problems.
- If gluten is involved, the expected improvement would appear within the first month and up to 3 months of starting the changes. My patients have reported these time-limits regarding the improvement.
At last, I have seen many of my patients at your daughter's age to experience different and strange habits when the enters pre-puberty (or even puberty) without any notable organic problem.
Gradually, such habits have been improved and they are not great persons.
Hope that will be the case of your daughter too!
Dr.Albana
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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