What causes upset stomach?!
Question: I'd like to know what causes the pain of an upset stomach. I know bacteria etc. can cause the disorder but as I understand it the stomach has no nerve endings. So does the stomach lining liquefy or what? Has anyone ever used a camera to show what's happening when someone has nausea? What actually happens inside the stomach that's causing the discomfort?
Answers: I'd like to know what causes the pain of an upset stomach. I know bacteria etc. can cause the disorder but as I understand it the stomach has no nerve endings. So does the stomach lining liquefy or what? Has anyone ever used a camera to show what's happening when someone has nausea? What actually happens inside the stomach that's causing the discomfort?
Actually the stomach does have nerve ending from a nerve called the vagus nerve. This nerve has two functions. One it senses things and then also is responsible for the stomach motion, the pain, the increase in acid build up, etc. In nausea, the stomach (or other offending organs) sends a signal to the brain that says "HEY!! We got something here that's not supposed to be here. Let's get rid of this" So the brain forces the smooth muscles in your stomach to contract in reverse (called reverse peristalsis) and you get emesis (upchuck, puke, heave,etc). Anything can cause nausea.
Sincerely,
Doc