heartburn may be an indicator for gastrointestinal conditions

3.5 Vomiting

• protective response to the presence of an irritant, infection, distention, or a blockage, motion sickness, unpleasant smell or sight
• triggers stimulate sensory nerve fibers, message conveyed to the vomiting center in the medulla
• motor impulse stimulate the diaphragm and abdominal muscles
• sphincter opens and gastric contents are regurgitated

1. Disease Indicated by Stool Characteristics

• blood in the stools
  • bright red: bleeding originated from the distal end of the colon (the rectum)
  • streaks of red blood: bleeding hemorrhoids, cancer of the rectum
  • dark blood (malena): originated from the stomach or duodenum: ulcer of stomach cancer, medications containing iron
  • not apparent to naked eyes (occult blood): bleeding ulcers or a malignancy in the digestive tract
• large & pale, greasy, float on water: contain fat: malabsorption syndrome, liver, gallbladder, or pancreas disease