Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: neilep on 12/01/2008 22:20:15

Title: Are Our Stomachs Ever Empty ?
Post by: neilep on 12/01/2008 22:20:15

Dear All,


Say I did not eat for a week....would my stomach be completely empty or does digestion acid still fill it ?

How much digestion acid is there in the stomach ?...or is that solely dependent on how much food there is ?...if so...then how does my stomach know how much food is in it ?

Thank "burp" you

Title: Are Our Stomachs Ever Empty ?
Post by: Karen W. on 12/01/2008 23:00:09

I am not sure, but when my Doctor took out my Gallbladder he said that it held some extra stomach acid for burning food when you eat those big meals and it requires more then the other places provide... That was his explanation for my Gall bladder, but I know there must be more that it did!

So I assume your body produces stomach acid on demand, but...., I have also heard that when your stomach is empty, that it can make your tummy hurt because, all thats there is stomach acid, and nothing for it to try to neutralize, or decompose and so it can it away at your tummy lining...! Now I don't know if that is true, but that is one statement I had heard.. can't remember from where.

Title: Are Our Stomachs Ever Empty ?
Post by: JnA on 13/01/2008 08:36:36

The stomach has a volume of about 50mls when empty. I guess that is a small amount of acid. I wouldn't think that the stomach would ever be completely empty, always being 'prepared' for food.
Why would the stomach need to know how much food is there? It's primarily a 'storage' device for the small intestine where most digestion takes place. It can expand to a litre or so, that's a lot of food!

The gall bladder is a storage device for bile, this emulsifies fats in the food. When they take the gall bladder out the bile stays in the liver (where it is produced) and is generally produced on demand (this is why if you have had it removed and eat a high fat meal you will find nasty, sticky things happen from the other end. ewwww!)

HTH

Title: Are Our Stomachs Ever Empty ?
Post by: Karen W. on 13/01/2008 11:13:03

I have never had that happen. I cannot tell I ever had it out except for the scar , no pain, and no more heartburn every night! LOL.. Other then that I can eat the same as I ever have.

Title: Are Our Stomachs Ever Empty ?
Post by: JnA on 13/01/2008 11:33:39

You are one of the lucky ones!  Many people do still need to watch their diet, not as scrupulously as they did when they were acute though. Maybe you didn't have a hugely high fat diet to begin with?

I will be having mine out in about a years time.. trying to control it with low fat diet  until then so I can continue breastfeeding. *fingerscrossed*
I think gall bladder pain is most excruciating.. and I have had two drug free births!