Vomiting
The action of vomiting involves the emptying of the stomach contents back through the mouth and is initiated by a specific center in the brain, called the vomiting center.
It is a reflex action, which occurs in response to many stimuli such as pain, poisons and infections. Adults frequently override the need to vomit and control the action, yet children and babies will readily vomit.
It is possibly natures' way of protecting the system from poisons etc. and expelling them quickly. Vomiting is often associated with episodes of diarrhea at the same time. This is normally due to a viral infection, and gives rise to a condition called gastroenteritis. Too much food and drink in the stomach at any one time can cause vomiting, as can too much alcohol in the stomach on its own, protecting the body from alcohol poisoning.
Vomiting can be triggered by a reaction to certain drugs or it may be a symptom of a more complex disorder such as Vertigo. Vomiting can also be triggered by any irritation of the stomach and small intestine as in Gastric ulcers.
Vomiting on its own can be quite harmless, but if it becomes persistent or there are signs of blood in the vomit, then you must seek medical attention. The usual treatment is to reduce the food intake but to make sure that the fluid intake is kept up, often better done by taking regular small drinks.
Avoid milk or greasy foods for a day or so until the lining of the stomach has had the chance to settle down.
Additional Medical Conditions:
