Retch of the Day Trivia Quiz

Answer: You contracted a norovirus

Noroviruses are a common group of viruses that cause stomach illness, or gastroenteritis. It is highly infectious, inducing symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and low-grade fever. People may become infected by direct contact with another infected person, through contact with contaminated surfaces or from ingesting contaminated food and drink. Because norovirus is easily spread amongst people in close contact, outbreaks often occur in places like schools, hospitals, nursing homes and cruise ships.

Answer: A migraine

A migraine is a severe headache that throbs and often occurs on one side of the head. It is a vascular headache that involves the enlargement of arteries and the nerves that surround them.

A migraine will typically last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours. Usually the sufferer will experience nausea or vomiting and sensitivity to light or sound. Symptoms preceding the headaches include visual auras, sleepiness, depression, and cravings for sweet or salty foods. Migraine attacks may be triggered by things such as stress, changes in sleep patterns, chocolate, nuts, pickled foods, foods containing tyramine, bright lights, strong odours, loud noise, tension headache, hormonal fluctuations, skipping meals or alcohol consumption.

Answer: An acute appendicitis

An appendicitis is the sudden inflammation or swelling of the appendix, a small tube-like pouch that branches off where the colon begins. Swelling of the tissue can be caused from disease or infection. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or a blockage can all be sources of the infection. An appendicitis can be treated with antibiotics alone, but most often the appendix is removed surgically to prevent further complications and the spread of infection.

Answer: The general anaesthetic in your system and/or painkillers

A general anaesthetic is a drug used to induce temporary unconsciousness for a patient during invasive surgery. It causes temporary paralysis of skeletal muscle and prevents the patient from feeling pain, and from remembering the procedure. Unfortunately, in addition to feeling groggy and uncoordinated upon awakening, about 30% of patients suffer the side-effect of nausea and vomiting. Drugs can be given to counteract nausea, which can be more pronounced after abdominal procedures.

Answer: Gallstones

The gallbladder stores bile that is produced by the liver. Sometimes products in the bile can solidify and form "stones". Problems occur when the stone is so large that it causes pain when the gallbladder responds, or when the stones move out of the gallbladder and block the ducts.

Inflammation, infection and organ damage can occur. Most people with gallstones don't have symptoms and, therefore, don't require treatment. However, if complications arise from gallstones they can cause the following symptoms: abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, indigestion, belching, bloating, fever, intolerance for greasy foods and jaundice. Treatment for gallstones include shockwave lithotripsy, medication, or surgical removal of the gall bladder.

Answer: A hangover

A hangover is a collection of physical and mental symptoms that occur after alcohol intoxication. Drinking alcohol heavily primarily affects the central nervous system, but the feeling of a hangover is the effect alcohol has on urine production, the gastrointestinal tract, blood sugar concentrations, sleep patterns and biological rhythm. Physical symptoms of a hangover include headache, nausea and vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and sound, muscle aches and thirst. Mental symptoms include dizziness and possible cognitive or mood disturbances.

Answer: A peptic ulcer

A peptic ulcer is an erosion of the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly located in the stomach or the duodenum. The main cause of ulcers is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. It has the ability to bury its way beneath the mucosal lining of the stomach where it weakens the stomach's defense against digestive juices. Long term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also weakens the stomach lining and increases the risk for ulcers. Lifestyle factors such as stress, consuming caffeine, drinking alcohol and smoking also contribute to the formation of ulcers.

Symptoms of an ulcer include gnawing or burning pain in the stomach, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, loss of weight, tiredness and the presence of blood in vomit or stool. Lifestyle changes, medication and antibiotics are methods used to treat ulcers.

Answer: Heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats, and doesn't replace the fluids it loses. The body systems that regulate temperature become overwhelmed and the body produces more heat than it can release. Symptoms include: heavy sweating, fatigue, headache, clammy skin, thirst, rapid heartbeat, dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps and temperature elevation. If left untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, which is a life-threatening condition.

Answer: Motion sickness

Motion sickness involves a disturbance in the inner ear, and is a condition caused by repetitive motion where the body, inner ear and eyes send conflicting information to the brain. This discordance is thought to cause the brain to respond by inducing nausea and vomiting. Ways to alleviate or prevent motion sickness include harmonizing your senses (trying to see the same motion that your body and inner ears feel), medication and acupressure.

Answer: You are pregnant

Up to 75% of all women suffer some degree of nausea and vomiting, and the cause for it remains unclear. The primary reason is believed to be from the sudden change in hormone levels which cause the muscle fibres within the wall of the stomach to relax.

Some studies have indicated that women with higher levels of the bacterium helicobacter pylori in their stomachs also have a higher rate of nausea and vomiting.