Nausea is the sensation commonly experienced before vomiting.
Understanding the Sensation Before Vomiting
Based on medical definitions, the feeling that precedes the physical act of vomiting is known as nausea. The provided reference clearly states, "Nausea is the sensation that the stomach wants to empty itself." This feeling is distinct from the act of vomiting itself.
Key Terms Related to Vomiting
Understanding the terminology associated with this process helps clarify the different stages and actions involved:
- Nausea: The feeling or sensation that the stomach needs to be emptied. It's a subjective experience.
- Vomiting (Emesis): The forceful, involuntary expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth. As the reference explains, vomiting (emesis) "is the act of forcible emptying of the stomach."
- Dry Heaving (Retching): An episode where the body goes through the motions of vomiting, but little to no stomach contents are expelled. The reference describes this as "an episode of vomiting where there is no food in the stomach to vomit, and only small amounts of clear secretions are vomited." It involves rhythmic contractions of the abdominal muscles and diaphragm, often associated with nausea.
Comparing Nausea and Vomiting
Here's a simple comparison based on the definitions:
| Term | Description | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | The sensation the stomach wants to empty itself | Feeling |
| Vomiting | The act of forcible stomach emptying | Action |
In summary, while vomiting is the physical action, the preceding sensation that alerts a person to the impending event is called nausea. Dry heaving or retching is a related action that can occur, often alongside nausea, but without significant output of stomach contents.
