Vomiting reflex is a natural biological process, which is characterized by the involuntary return of mass residues from the stomach through the digestive tract, through the oral cavity, to the outside. The cause of vomiting can be irritation of the receptors that are located at the root of the tongue. It can also occur due to swallowing, excitation of the vestibular apparatus, its destruction, as well as malfunctioning of the brain.
What is nausea?
The symptom of gag reflexes is characteristic of children, but sometimes it does not go away over the years and is found even in adults. This body defense mechanism is a response to many problems, such as inflammation of the walls of the stomach, poisoning, and so on. Vomiting helps protect our body from poisoning and intoxication.
After the poisoning signal reaches the receptors, the process of involuntary cleansing begins. It starts with vomiting, after which it goes on to a direct contraction of the muscles of the stomach. This reflex process appeared in the human body during evolution, as our ancestors ate unprocessed food and could be poisoned. Gagging has not disappeared today, so it is important to know how to get rid of the gag reflex.
Why does a gag reflex appear?
Vomiting is a common problem of our time. Gastritis, pancreatitis, and inflammation of the stomach are found in every second inhabitant of the planet. The reason for this was malnutrition, stress, the environment, poor water, “junk” food, and a small amount of fluid. All this leads to the fact that the human organs are not able to cope with the loads exerted on them, so the body crashes. One of the symptoms was the gag reflex.
To understand the mechanism of the gag reflex, it is worth understanding the human physiology. Vomiting is known to pass through the esophagus, pharynx, and throat. Excretion is facilitated by muscle tissue, which is located on the walls of these organs. A gag signal spreads through neurons to all the organs that participate in this process, after which the pharynx, esophagus and larynx begin to contract muscles as the food lump is carried out.
First, the contents of the stomach are sent to the esophagus, where, thanks to the internal muscle membrane, it moves along the channels to the outlet duct. The walls of the esophagus are built from the mucous membrane, submucosa, adventitia and muscles. It is because of this protective layer that the esophagus is not damaged by concentrated hydrochloric acid and solid undigested food debris from the stomach.
A feeling of nausea begins in the throat. Sometimes this sensation turns into a crushing, pulling sensation in the throat. The frontal region of the pharynx is also covered with a protective wall that prevents organ damage.
Vomit passes through the throat. A special muscular-articular valve protects the airways from vomiting, which has an acidic environment. Sometimes, if the body fails, the poisoning is too strong and for organ systems it is more priority to cleanse and get rid of poisoning, then the valve works in the opposite direction, passing vomiting through the nose.
In the process of evolution, humans have a unique opportunity to breathe while eating. This contributes to the structure of the throat. But vomiting is not as common as eating food. Therefore, the respiratory center is blocked during the process of excretion of vomit so that the person does not suffocate with his own remnants of life.
The work of these centers is not possible when exposed to them with the help of stronger chemicals - alcohol, drugs or overdose of drugs. Therefore, cases have been recorded when a person dies from asphyxiation with his vomiting. In order to eliminate such situations, observe safety precautions and avoid the use of alcohol and drugs.
It is necessary to distinguish between the concepts of nausea and vomiting. Vomiting is a direct act of removing food residues, gastric juice through the oral cavity, and vomiting reflex is a sensation of increased acidity in the mouth, discomfort and inconvenience.
As you know, the main cause of nausea is the inflammatory process and poisoning. Therefore, if nausea occurs and does not leave for a long time, consult a doctor immediately.
Causes of the gag reflex
As a rule, nausea occurs suddenly, and it is necessary to get rid of it urgently. The causes of nausea are many, but the main one is poisoning. In addition, this could happen as a result of:
- diseases of the internal organs;
- pregnancy
- malfunctioning of the nervous system;
- psychological disorders;
- metabolic disorders.
If it is not possible to suppress the gag reflex for a long time, then consult a doctor. Have a gastrointestinal examination. Most likely, nausea indicates the presence of a malfunction of the pancreas. This should not be delayed, because the disease can lead to tissue necrosis or carry other sad consequences, long months of recovery and treatment.
It is worth talking about nausea during pregnancy and how to deal with it separately. But what if nausea periodically occurs before an upcoming exam or report at work? This is nothing but a reaction to a nervous situation. Going deeper into this problem, we can say that there is nothing to worry about, this is the reaction of the body to the release of adrenaline.
The position of the body in space can also cause nausea. The nervous system responds so to the malfunction of the cerebellum. The vestibular apparatus makes itself felt, for example, if you swing for a long time on the carousel. The position of the body changes very actively, within a few minutes, and the nervous system responds with a reaction in the form of dizziness and nausea.
Mental illness. Against their background, constant nausea may occur. The reaction of the body to negative external environmental factors fails not only in the form of poor sleep, loss of appetite, but also is accompanied by nausea. We also include eating disorders and metabolic disorders. If the gastric juice is produced more than is required for the digestion of food, it begins to affect the walls of the organ, thereby causing abdominal pain and nausea. Accordingly, to solve the problem, you need to establish your nutrition, make it complete, seek help from a psychologist and a nutritionist.
How to suppress nausea?
The appearance of nausea is an unpleasant and sometimes painful condition.
In order to suppress the gag reflex, follow these steps.
- Go outside and get some fresh air. If the yard is winter, you are more fortunate. In the cold, organs will be saturated with a large amount of oxygen, nausea can recede.
- If you lead an active lifestyle and the regime leaves much to be desired, then relax. Take a horizontal position. Try to fall asleep so that your muscles relax and your gag reflex becomes smaller.
- If nausea does not leave you for a long time, and doctors have not made a diagnosis associated with a deviation of the gastrointestinal tract, try to treat a mental condition. Relax, take a bath with aromatic oils, undergo a massage course, take a walk through the forest.
- Teas, decoctions, juices and fruit drinks will help relieve symptoms of nausea.
Gastritis Nausea
Earlier, symptoms of nausea that were not associated with inflammation of the walls of the stomach were mentioned. If you understand that the body is malfunctioning and there is a gag reflex, then:
- First go through the examination. For further treatment, the doctor must make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe medication.
- Do not stop drinking pills as soon as you have nausea. The course must be brought to an end, and then consult a doctor again. At the moment, a large number of anti-nausea drugs are presented on the market.
- Follow a diet. Sometimes it’s enough to change your diet so that nausea leaves your life. Improve your diet, eat food three times a day, exclude flour, fried and salty.
Other causes of vomiting
If the problem arose during the movement of transport - you simply got sick of it. But the man in a panic thinks what to do with the gag reflex. Do not worry, drink a small amount of water and eat peppermint or caramel candy. This will help to get distracted, thereby normalizing the vestibular apparatus. If possible, stop and go outside. Breathe in fresh air and ventilate the machine.
Nausea also arises from the fact that you eat hot food. Eat food a little warmer than room temperature, slightly salt it, exclude spices. Having cleared the food, it is not required to suppress a gag reflex.
Check if you are allergic. In the clinics, you can take tests that will help identify what you have a reaction to, which causes nausea.
Nausea during pregnancy
For many expectant mothers, it is important to know how to suppress the gag reflex during pregnancy.
If a woman is completely healthy, nothing threatens the baby, and toxicosis does not leave her, not only in the initial stages of pregnancy, but also in the second and third trimester, then here are some effective tips:
- First, eat. It is important to normalize your diet. This will not only remove the gag reflex, but also help your child develop correctly.
- Secondly, drink more water. It will also help to tolerate intoxication easier. You can drink not only water, but teas and decoctions.
- Avoid pungent odors. Sometimes therapists suggest not using perfume during pregnancy.
- Chew peppermint gum. When the lump comes to the throat, chew a pair of mint gum pads. This will help to distract, and nausea will recede.