8. Nausea: The Gut’s Reaction to Sun’s Intensity
It might seem surprising, but excessive sun exposure can sometimes make one feel nauseated. The stomach, it seems, has its way of registering the sun’s potent rays. Nausea, often accompanied by a feeling of lightheadedness, is one of the lesser-known symptoms of photodermatitis.
How does the sun, shining down on the skin, manage to influence the gut? The answer lies in the body’s integrated response. When the skin gets overwhelmed by UV rays, the body’s defense mechanisms kick into high gear. The resultant inflammation and release of certain chemicals can have far-reaching effects, including impacting the digestive system.
The sensation of nausea, that unsettling feeling in the stomach, is the gut’s way of responding to this systemic imbalance. It’s as if the body, in its attempt to cope with the sun’s onslaught, ends up affecting multiple organs in the process. But the gut’s reaction doesn’t stop at nausea. In some cases, individuals might even experience vomiting, a forceful ejection in response to the body’s perceived threat.
Through this gut response, our body narrates tales of interconnectivity. It showcases how a stimulus, even if external, can cascade through our system, influencing organs seemingly unrelated. The gut, in its own way, responds to the tales scripted on the skin, showcasing the body’s integrated and holistic nature. (8)
