Bloated stomach, vomiting and burping: what to know

Burping often reflects swallowed air or gas in the upper digestive tract. Vomiting can irritate the stomach and temporarily increase bloating. Gastroenteritis and food poisoning may bring vomiting with diarrhoea, cramps or fever. Gallstones or pancreatitis can cause more focused upper abdominal pain, while migraine can include nausea and vomiting even without prominent head pain. Rotavirus infection is another possible cause, particularly when vomiting and diarrhoea occur together.

The colour and amount of vomit, pain location, fever, bowel movements and ability to keep fluids down help determine urgency.

Take small, frequent sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. Once vomiting settles, try bland foods in small portions and avoid alcohol, rich meals and fizzy drinks for a while. Sit upright after eating and eat slowly to reduce swallowed air. Do not take anti-vomiting or anti-inflammatory medicines without checking that they are suitable for you.

Seek urgent help for severe or persistent abdominal pain, a rigid or increasingly swollen abdomen, green or bloody vomit, black stool, confusion, fainting, severe headache with a stiff neck, or inability to keep fluids down. Get medical advice promptly if vomiting continues, urine becomes very dark or scarce, or symptoms follow a possible poisoning.

Ask whether the pattern suggests infection, food poisoning, gallstones, pancreatitis, migraine or another cause. Tell the clinician when vomiting began, how often it occurs, what it looks like, where pain is located, and what you have eaten or taken.