Nausea is the sensation of having an urge to vomit. Vomiting is forcing the contents of the stomach up through the esophagus and out of the mouth.
The body has a few ways to respond to an ever-changing, wide variety of bacteria and irritants:
* Sneezing ejects the intruders from the nose
* Coughing ejects the intruders from the lungs and throat
* Diarrhea ejects the intruders from the intestines
* Vomiting ejects the intruders from the stomach
Vomiting is a forceful action accomplished by a fierce, downward contraction of the diaphragm. At the same time, the abdominal muscles tighten against a relaxed stomach with an open sphincter (the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach, which usually closes and keeps food in the stomach). The contents of the stomach are propelled up and out of the mouth and nose.
Vomiting is a complex, coordinated reflex orchestrated by the vomiting center of the brain. It responds to signals coming from:
* The mouth, stomach, and intestines
* The bloodstream, which may contain medicines or infections
* The balancing systems in the ear (in the case of motion sickness)
* The brain itself, including unsettling sights, smells, or thoughts
An amazing variety of stimuli can trigger vomiting, from migraines to kidney stones and urinary tract infections.
A number of medicines are effective at preventing vomiting. These include Ondansetron, Promethazine, and Cyclazine.
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