Symptom 5: Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea isn’t just a fleeting, unpleasant sensation; it’s a tangible sign that the body’s equilibrium is disrupted. People with SRCC often experience recurrent bouts of nausea. Unlike the occasional stomach upset we all encounter, for SRCC patients, this nausea can become a regular, debilitating ordeal. Vomiting might follow, exacerbating their discomfort. It’s not merely about the unease; persistent vomiting can lead to dehydration and a cascade of other health issues.
For those grappling with SRCC, the stomach’s environment undergoes significant alterations. Signet ring cells, with their distinctive appearance, proliferate in the stomach lining. This proliferation disrupts the stomach’s normal functioning. When the stomach rebels, it manifests as nausea. Food might not settle well, or the stomach might empty slower than usual, both of which can induce that unsettling feeling of wanting to throw up.
Recurrent vomiting isn’t just unpleasant; it’s harmful. Each episode can erode the esophagus lining, given the stomach acid’s caustic nature. Furthermore, frequent vomiting can lead to dehydration, a severe concern. The body loses essential salts and minerals with each episode. If unchecked, this can escalate, leading to electrolyte imbalances, further complicating the patient’s condition.
SRCC’s invasion isn’t limited to just the stomach. It can spread, impacting adjacent organs. Sometimes, the cause of nausea isn’t just the stomach’s direct disruption but the pressure exerted by growing tumors on neighboring structures. As tumors expand, they can press against nerves or other organs, indirectly inducing nausea. Hence, the symptom, while stemming from the gut, can have multi-faceted origins. (5)
