Vomiting
Vomiting (medically known as emesis) is the reflex action of ejecting the stomach contents through the mouth (and sometimes the nose). Vomiting may be caused by various problems such as gastritis, poisoning, tumors, etc. The urge or feeling to vomit is known as nausea. Nausea normally precedes, but doesn’t necessarily result in, vomiting.
The vomiting act has two phases; the retching phase and the expulsive phase. In the retching phase, the abdominal muscles experience a few rounds of coordinated contractions together with the diaphragm and the muscles used in respiratory inspiration (and nothing is expelled). In the expulsive phase, severe pressure is formed in the stomach brought about by substantial shifts in both the diaphragm and the abdomen. The pressure is then rapidly released when the upper esophageal sphincter relaxes, resulting in the expulsion of gastric contents.
At times antiemetics (antiemetic is a drug which is effective against nausea and vomiting) are essential to suppress nausea and vomiting. Severe nausea can cause dehydration. In this case, intravenous fluid has to be administered to compensate for the fluid loss.
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