How does the stomach work in space? Do astronauts feel constant need to throw up since the contents are bouncing around inside?

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How does the stomach work in space? Do astronauts feel constant need to throw up since the contents are bouncing around inside?

In: Biology

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Anonymous 0 Comments

Space sickness is a common side effect of micro-gravity. Vomiting is controlled more by the ear than the stomach. It is when what the eyes see doesn’t match what the ears are experiencing. Space sickness is similar to all motion sickness. Your eyes see that you are moving while your ear registers you are standing still. Most astronauts experience this for the first few days up to week in space. The space program usually selects people less prone to this for space flight.

I know you didn’t ask, but I find this stuff fascinating. The real bodily function problem of micro-gravity is defecating. Gravity is the main force to separate stool from the anus. Early astronauts had to use their hands and a bag to separate stool. Now most spaceships have a vacuum.

Edit: Reversed eyes/ears.

>Space sickness is a kind of motion sickness that can occur when one’s surroundings visually appear to be in motion, but without a corresponding sense of bodily motion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_adaptation_syndrome

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