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WordsNumbersAndStats t1_j631opr wrote

Diarrheal fluids typically originate in the bowel (small or large intestine), not the stomach. In addition to the length of the small and large bowels, all of which are absorptive tissue, and the fact that gastric acid is neutralized in the duodenum, there are four sphincters between the stomach and the toilet bowl - the pyloric sphincter, the ileocecal sphincter and the internal and external anal sphincters.

Diarrheal fluids are typically alkaline, not acidic because of all the intestinal bicarbonate secretion.

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chopstyks t1_j64vgdr wrote

>the ileocecal sphincter

As a Leo, this is my second favorite sphincter. My favorite is my wife's.

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General_Elephant t1_j63o3bl wrote

This is a great answer, though might not land quite right with a 5 year old. Everyone forgets the dang duodenum 😅

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Negative_Success t1_j63sl6u wrote

Per the subs own guidelines, it is not for trying to explain something to a literal 5yr old, but to a layman.

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General_Elephant t1_j63usho wrote

Hmm. Good point. I always assume the " layman" would have very little medical literacy, but even then I think you could figure out the meaning of their response without needing to know every term and where they are anatomically located, though knowing where the duodenum is located would help understand that acid is neutralized before entering the intestines.

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Way2Foxy t1_j64sc2h wrote

The way I see it, people are always free to ask clarifying questions. It can be hard to reduce the language too much without using more and more words.

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Chromotron t1_j67u1jp wrote

Yeah, a lot of people see the terminology and shut down despite it only being place-holders for "the thing I explain to you". Duodenum sounds alien, but replacing it with "that thing right after your stomach" in every sentence gets tedious and unreadable pretty fast.

I fully agree that instead of all those "omg! that is not ELI5!" posts people throw around (some ignorant of the actual meaning, some not), they should just ask for clarifications. I really wish that was a rule, as in, telling people that something is not ELI5 instead of asking for clarification is forbidden. I've only very rarely seen such responses where I would consider it justified.

I had several instances where OP asked for an explanation that technically does break the rules. Something like "As an engineer, I learnt this and that math. But how does [complex mathematical theory] fit into my work?", where the only serious option is to explain based on OP's knowledge, not a layperson's.

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Significant-Offer-71 t1_j67bdf5 wrote

The “sphincters” are all valves, they don’t care what goes through. They aren’t there to keep stomach acid from passing. The reason stomach acids don’t make it to your poop is the reason stated above. Acid gets neutralized as soon as you hit the duodenum. Digestion is extremely complex. By the time food reaches the rectum, it’s gone through 15+ feet of tubing and several complex chemical reaction to be come the substance we all know and love.. poop

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tambobam t1_j67htbq wrote

Great explanation. Now explain like I’m 5 years old

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Flammy3 t1_j649pre wrote

Bicarbonate should tend to make the pH neutral, not alkaline.

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Chromotron t1_j67u7no wrote

Both? It is slightly basic, just pretty weak. Sodium bicarbonate mixed with water also has the typical "soapy" feel to it.

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