About Vomit

Vomit is a mixture of the stomach's contents that is forcefully expelled from the body through the mouth. The act of releasing vomit is known by many terms and phrases, including vomiting, throwing up, puking, blowing chunks and hurling. The official medical term for the act is emesis.

Function

Vomiting occurs for many reasons. Typically, any stimulus that results in a feeling of nausea has the potential to culminate in the expulsion of vomit. The most common cause of vomiting is illness. The flu, gastritis and other forms of sickness are highly correlated to the act of vomiting. Excessive intake of alcohol, physical exhaustion, highly unpleasant smells and violent or grotesque imagery are also known causes of vomiting.

Benefits

Vomiting is beneficial in that it helps the body remove toxic substances from the gastric system. When an individual is sick, toxins often build up in the stomach. Vomit is a quick way to expunge these substances before they cause harm. Similarly, food poisoning, alcohol poisoning and allergic reactions can be curtailed through the act of vomiting.

Features

Vomit consists largely of gastric secretions. Food that has not yet been digested will also be present in an individual's vomit. Sometimes, blood or bile may also be emitted. In rare cases, fecal matter is present in vomit. This is typically a sign of a serious health issue such as intestinal obstruction.

Warning

Gastric secretions are highly acidic, which can make vomit hazardous if it is aspirated into the lungs. High acidity can also lead to the decay of tooth enamel if an individual vomits frequently. Excessive vomiting may also result in a dangerous level of dehydration. Vomit also emits an unpleasant odor. In some cases, this smell is enough to cause nearby individuals to be become nauseous and vomit themselves.

Considerations

Occasionally, vomiting is induced or voluntary. Sometimes, this is medically advantageous, such as when a poison has been ingested. Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are infamously linked to voluntary vomiting. These disorders involve forcing one or several fingers down the throat to trigger the gag reflex and induce vomiting. Supposedly, this helps eliminate food from the body before it can be digested. However, the addictiveness of this act and the ensuing negative side effects make it a highly dangerous practice.