- #1
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For lack of a better term, how does your body know why to throw up. How does it detect and recognize something that shouldn't be in the stomach? For instance, how does it's know if food has gone bad?
How Does the Body Detect and Recognize Unsafe Food?
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SUMMARY
The human body detects unsafe food primarily through the action of chemoreceptors located in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which respond to harmful chemicals and pathogens. The enteric nervous system, utilizing serotonin as its main neurotransmitter, plays a crucial role in processing these signals. When harmful substances are identified, signals are transmitted to the brain via the vagus nerve, triggering the vomiting reflex, medically termed "emesis." The area postrema in the brain is also involved in this detection process.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology
- Knowledge of the enteric nervous system and its functions
- Familiarity with neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin
- Basic concepts of chemoreception and its role in nausea
- Research the role of chemoreceptors in the gastrointestinal tract
- Explore the functions of the enteric nervous system in digestion
- Study the mechanisms of nausea and vomiting, focusing on the area postrema
- Investigate the effects of specific chemicals on the vomiting reflex
Medical students, gastroenterologists, nutritionists, and anyone interested in understanding the physiological mechanisms behind food safety and the body's response to toxins.
- #2
Mentat
- 3,935
- 3
Well, I should assume that the presence of micro-organisms would trigger a response from the immune system. But I too am in the dark, with regard to the "yuck" mechanism (so to speak); or whatever it is that causes us to be disgusted by certain things.
- #3
Ben-CS
Is the lining of the stomach not a sensory organ? The stomach probably responds to chemicals which are toxins or which signal the presence of pathogens.
- #4
damgo
Hmmm... I believe the original sensing is done by receptors for specific chemicals (chemoreceptors) in the upper GI tract, like the stomach. There is an entire 'enteric nervous system' in charge of handling digestion and processing these sort of things (serotonin is the primary neurotransmitter it uses.) The signals are then sent to the brain, largely via the vagus nerve. There are also believed to be important chemoreceptors in the brain - the area prostrema is believed to play a role in this. Check out http://www.nauseaandvomiting.co.uk/NAVRES001-2-NandV-general.htm .
None of my books mention which chemicals in the GI tract trigger nausea, though... hmm.
PS - The dignified-sounding medical word for throwing up is "emesis." God bless Latin.
None of my books mention which chemicals in the GI tract trigger nausea, though... hmm.
PS - The dignified-sounding medical word for throwing up is "emesis." God bless Latin.
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- #5
Mentat
- 3,935
- 3
Try kiwi. It has more potassium than bananas, and will ascertain whether that is your problem or not.
- #6
Jikx
- 206
- 0
or try a half litre of vodka... 