The act of bringing up vomit into the mouth.
Expulsion of the stomach’s contents partially digested food and digestive juices through the esophagus and the mouth, by contractions of the diaphragm. Vomiting is often involuntary, occurring as a result of irritants in the stomach (as from too much food or alcohol), pressure in the brain (as from hydrocephalus or a brain tumor), disturbance of the body’s sense of balance (as in some ear and hearing problems), or other disorders or imbalances in the body, including appendicitis and various digestive and metabolic disorders. Vomiting can also be triggered voluntarily, as in bulimia, where it is the “purge” part of the binge-purge syndrome. It is also frequently associated with pregnancy, as morning sickness.
Reflex action of ejecting the stomach contents through the mouth. Intestinal obstruction, irritation of the stomach, disease-producing organisms in the digestive tract, inner ear disturbances (e.g., in motion sickness), and certain drugs stimulate a special center in the brain that, m turn, produces contractions of the stomach and diaphragm musculature and relaxation of the sphincter muscle at the opening of the stomach, causing the stomach contents to be ejected through the mouth. Also called emesis.
The reflex action of ejecting the contents of the stomach through the mouth. Vomiting is controlled by a special center in the brain .that may be stimulated by drugs (e.g. apomorphine) acting directly on it, or by impulses transmitted through nervous pathways either from the stomach (e.g. after ingesting irritating substances and in stomach disorders), the intestine (e.g. in intestinal obstruction), or from the inner ear (in motion sickness). The stimulated vomiting center sets off a chain of nerve impulses producing coordinated contractions of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles, relaxation of the muscle at the entrance to the stomach, etc., causing the stomach contents to be expelled.
The expulsion of the stomach contents through the mouth. When the effort of vomiting is made, but nothing is brought up, the process is known as retching. When vomiting occurs, the chief effort is made by the muscles of the abdominal wall and by the diaphragm contracting together and squeezing the stomach. The contraction of the stomach wall is also a factor, and an important step in the act consists of the opening, at the right moment, of the cardiac or upper orifice of the stomach. This concerted action of various muscles is brought about by a vomiting centre situated on the floor of the fourth ventricle in the brain.
Ejection through the mouth of the contents of the gastrointestinal tract. Vomiting, along with diarrhea and hemorrhage, is an important potential cause of dehydration. It may result from toxins, drugs (such as those given for cancer chemotherapy), uremia, and fevers; cerebral tumors; meningitis; diseases of the stomach such as ulcer, cancer, dysmotility, or dyspepsia; hormonal changes in early pregnancy, reflux from pressure of the gravid uterus in pregnancy, uterine or ovarian disease, irritation of the fauces, intestinal parasites, biliary colic; intestinal obstruction; motion sickness; and neurological disorders such as migraine. Vomiting may also be psychological (“psychogenic”) in origin. Esophageal vomiting may result from reflux or obstruction.
The uncontrollable, forceful ejection of stomach contents out of the mouth is known as vomiting. This action may be preceded by symptoms like nausea, paleness, sweating, excessive drooling, and a decreased heart rate.
Vomiting takes place when the brainstem’s vomiting center is triggered by signals originating from one of three areas: the digestive system, the inner ear’s balance mechanism, or the brain itself. In the case of the brain, the triggers can be either emotional thoughts or the area responsible for detecting toxins in the body.
Vomiting can be triggered by excessive consumption of food or alcohol, and it’s a frequent side effect of various medications or after undergoing general anesthesia. It’s also commonly associated with digestive system issues like peptic ulcers, acute appendicitis, gastroenteritis, and food poisoning. Less frequently, vomiting can result from obstructions such as pyloric stenosis or intussusception, or even from a tumor in the digestive system. Inflammation of related organs may also be a cause.
Vomiting can also be triggered by increased pressure inside the skull, migraines, issues affecting the ear’s balance mechanism, and hormonal imbalances like Addison’s disease.
Vomiting can also occur as a symptom of ketoacidosis in cases of poorly managed diabetes mellitus. Additionally, it can be indicative of emotional issues or be associated with eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia.
Ongoing vomiting necessitates medical evaluation. The treatment approach will vary depending on the underlying cause, and antiemetic medications may be administered.
The involuntary expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth.