The Vomiting Patient: Small Bowel Obstruction, Cyclic Vomiting, and Gastroparesis.

Vomiting and abdominal pain are common in patients in the emergency department. This article focuses on small bowel obstruction (SBO), cyclic vomiting, and gastroparesis. Through early diagnosis and appropriate management, the morbidity and mortality associated with SBOs can be significantly reduced. Management of SBOs involves correction of physiologic and electrolyte disturbances, bowel rest and removing the source of the obstruction. Treatment of acute cyclic vomiting is primarily directed at symptom control, volume and electrolyte repletion, and appropriate specialist follow-up. The mainstay of therapy for gastroparesis is metoclopramide.