Vomiting bile often presents as a bright yellow to dark green color in the vomitus. While the color may be due to the breakdown of food, the presence of bile should not be ignored as it could be related to serious causes that require immediate medical attention, especially if it is of a sudden onset. In most cases, the vomiting is accompanied by nausea and Intestinal Obstruction has to always be excluded, especially in infants. If the vomiting occurs with no nausea, raised intracranial pressure needs to be excluded.

Bile is often present in the vomit but goes unnoticed in small quantities. It becomes more evident as the ingested contents are passed out and only water and mucus are remaining. Therefore many of the same causes of vomiting, especially recurrent vomiting, will lead to bile vomitus. Persistent vomiting, especially a short while after eating a meal, may lead to bile vomitus. Bile secretion is at the greatest 20 to 40 minutes after eating, particularly following the ingestion of a fatty meal. In the event that vomiting ensues a short while after eating, the partially digested food lying in the small intestine and mixed with a number of digestive enzymes, mucus and bile, will eventually be passed out after repeated bouts of vomiting.

Treatments for Vomiting Bile
Take bile acid sequestrants:
To remove bile from the system, bile acid sequestrants can be taken. These will disrupt the bile circulation so the amount of bile in the system is lessened. Those who frequently suffer from bile reflux or are in the midst of dealing with a digestive disorder can take these medications to limit their symptoms. Ursodeoxycholic acid, prokinetic agents or proton pump inhibitors can also be used to limit the amount of bile in the system. These are often given to those with frequent digestive distress to help protect the esophagus from the corrosive properties of the bile.

Keep body hydrated:
If you are suffering from food poisoning or the flu it is important to work to keep the body hydrated to prevent an excessive loss of bile. Consume electrolyte solutions slowly to keep your condition stable without introducing more liquid than your body can manage until your symptoms pass.

Limit diet:
Restrict your diet to broths or bland foods that will limit the stress on your system until the vomiting and nausea pass.

Make notes:
Those who are suffering from food allergies or alcohol intolerance should make note of what substances cause this reaction. Alcohol intolerance cannot be treated, so you will need to limit your alcohol intake to avoid becoming sick. If you consume more alcohol than your body can manage, antihistamines may be able to alleviate your symptoms. Talk with your doctor about what type of medication would be appropriate. When suffering from a food allergy, it is important to avoid the ingredients which cause your reaction. Allergic reactions can become progressively more dangerous over time.