Vomiting can occur in isolation or is often associated with abdominal pain or gastrointestinal bleeding. It is also frequently associated with diarrhoea when caused by food poisoning. Important investigations for vomiting include:
- Blood tests
- Radiological tests (e.g. ultrasound scan to look for gallstones)
- Gastroscopy – where an ulcer is suspected
If there is associated evidence of gastrointestinal bleeding, such as vomiting blood, black tarry stools or fresh rectal bleeding, then this requires urgent investigation. This is typically with gastroscopy and/or colonoscopy.