Joy to the Hurled Trivia Quiz

Answer: Alcohol poisoning

Vomiting is the body's way of protecting itself once the drinker has drunk too much alcohol. Alcohol is a mild poison that slows the speed of messages along the nervous system. This is the reason that people may have problems walking and talking correctly and have slow reaction times.

The brain realizes what is going on and attempts to protect itself by forcing the body to expel the remaining poison that is still sitting in the stomach.

Answer: Hydrochloric acid

Gastric acid is composed of hydrochloric acid, potassium chloride and sodium chloride. Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid that is strong enough to eat through many types of metal. Your stomach has a lining for protection, but your throat does not. Frequent vomiting can cause significant esophageal damage.

It can cause inflammation, burning, and tears. It can also increase the risk of esophageal cancer.

Answer: Retching

The main difference between retching and vomiting is whether or not the stomach contents are forcefully expelled. In some parts of the world, retching is also known as having the dry-heaves. It can be caused by many of the same reasons vomiting is, but usually (not always), means the stomach is empty.

It can occur before actual vomiting starts, or after all the stomach contents have been expelled. It can also occur alone, without vomiting occurring, just a feeling of intense nausea.

Answer: To induce vomiting

Syrup of ipecac was commonly kept in the medicine cabinet to be used in case of an accidental poisoning. It causes intense irritation of the stomach lining, known as the gastric mucosa. Its emetic nature will cause the patient to vomit almost immediately after drinking it.

While commonly used in the past, it is not recommended today. Accidental poisonings should usually be handled by dialing 911 or your local poison control center.

Answer: Rats

Whales vomit every 7-10 days in order to expel the inedible things they have swallowed. It is very common for cats to vomit up hair balls so that they can clear their upper gastro-intestinal tract. And in the KJV of the Bible, Proverbs 26:11 "As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly." Only the rat does not nor cannot vomit.

Many of the poisons used as pesticides against rodents are used because the animal cannot vomit them back up.

Answer: Ulcer

"Coffee-ground" emesis is the term used for when someone has episodes of vomiting that resembles used coffee grounds. The most common cause is an ulcer in the stomach or upper part of the small intestine. The ulcer, which is an open sore, leaks blood into the stomach causing nausea. The gastric juices mix with the iron in the blood, oxidizing it, and causing it to turn dark brown.

Answer: Endless bouts of binging and purging

Bulimia nervosa, usually called bulimia, is an eating disorder. It is characterized by bouts of eating large amounts of food (binging) followed by periods of vomiting (purging). The use of laxatives and over-exercising may also take place. Bulimia is an eating disorder usually seen in younger women, but is occasionally seen in men. Long-term effects of this disorder include severe throat and esophageal damage. Tooth loss, ulcers, anemia, are also often seen.

Answer: Hematemesis

Hematemesis is the proper term for the vomiting of blood. The color of the vomit is dependent upon the amount of blood, the freshness of the blood and the stomach contents at the time the blood is vomited. Fresh blood will come out bright red, while older blood often becomes a brownish-red color.

The most common causes of hematemesis are ulcers, gastritis, esophageal varices or lesions, which can all be caused by frequent bouts of vomiting. It is also one of the most common warning signs of stomach cancer.

Answer: False

Analgesics are used for pain. Medications used to stop vomiting and nausea are called antiemetics. There are many different drugs which have antiemetic properties and the medication prescribed is usually based on the cause of the vomiting. There are many causes for vomiting including morning sickness, chemotherapy, motion sickness, and overindulgence in food or alcohol.

There are some herbs that are touted to have antiemetic properties, such as spearmint, chamomile, and ginger.

Answer: False

While there was something called a vomitorium, it was not a room set aside for vomiting in, so that you could eat even more. Rather this was a passageway in an amphitheater or auditorium that was used to exit these buildings after the gala was over. One end led you into a tier of seats, while the other end opened up into the street.

The name comes from the mobs of people who were disgorged out into the street with abrupt force. The word vomit comes from the Latin word 'vomere' which means to spew with force.