Introduction
Vomiting is the unpleasant expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth. There are many causes of vomiting, including digestive problems, motion sickness, pregnancy, food poisoning and drug interaction. Vomiting is a way for the body to rid itself or toxins and other harmful ingested substances. While simple vomiting usually does not cause long-term problems, persistent vomiting requires a visit to a doctor. A gastroenterologist specializes in disorders of the digestive system.
The Function of the Stomach
The stomach is a large, muscular organ in the digestive system. After food is eaten, the muscles that line the esophagus push the food down the digestive tract and into the stomach. The stomach stores food and produces gastric juices and enzymes that break down food. The stomach produces the first step in the digestive process. Some food is absorbed by the stomach, like alcohol, but other foods are liquefied by the acidic environment of the stomach. This liquefied food then enters the small intestine where digestion continues.
How the Stomach Vomits
Vomiting actually begins with the brain in a complex set of sequences involving neurotransmitters and biochemical reactions. But the act of vomiting is an equally complex series of steps. The muscles that push the food down and through the digestive tract also can push food up the digestive tract. Vomiting consists of three stages. The first stage is nausea, a feeling of queasiness or sickness, usually preceding vomiting, that makes a person want to throw up. The second stage is retching or heaving. This is caused by the spasms in the abdominal area, which are muscles contracting and relaxing as the food is pushed upwards. The third stage is the actual vomiting. This vomiting is a series of coordinated steps. As the retching begins, there is an involuntary deep breath that raises the larynx (or throat) and opens the upper part of the esophagus. This deep breath also causes the diaphragm to contract downwards, which creates pressure that causes the abdominal muscles to also contract. These contractions squeeze the stomach and push up the stomach contents until the content is expelled out of the mouth. People usually feel a lot better afterward because endorphins are released during vomiting. Projectile vomiting comes on suddenly and without nausea or retching. Regurgitation is the expulsion of food that is still in the mouth or esophagus and has not yet reached the stomach.
Prevent Nausea and Vomiting
Ginger is a well-known anti-nausea herbal remedy. Upon the onset of nausea you can take ginger in pill form or as ginger tea. If you have the dry herb available you can also take a small portion of that. There are also prescription drugs that combat nausea, but the nausea or vomiting has to be severe for a doctor to prescribe them. Deep breathing can also help to relax the muscles that are involved in the act of vomiting. But in some cases, vomiting is a good way for the body to rid its system of the toxins that are making you feel ill.
