Nausea: Causes, Treatment & Prevention

 

Vomiting and nausea are symptoms of many different health conditions, such as the stomach flu, concussions, and early pregnancy. There are numerous methods to alleviate nausea, which can occur in both adults and children. Eating light, bland foods and drinking ice-cold beverages can be beneficial.

What Are Vomiting and Nausea?

The sensation in your stomach before vomiting is called nausea. Throwing up the contents of your stomach through your mouth is called vomiting. Vomiting and nausea can occur together or separately.

You are familiar with the sensation. Perhaps you consumed something that didn't sit well with your stomach. Or you might be undergoing cancer treatment. It might be among the first indications that you are expecting. It's that familiar "sick to your stomach," queasy feeling. A queasy feeling in the back of your throat or an uneasy feeling in your stomach is called nausea. Additionally, you might experience lightheadedness, dizziness, or difficulty swallowing.

While nausea frequently accompanies the urge to throw up, vomiting is not always the result. The forceful removal of stomach contents through the mouth is known as vomiting. The contents of your stomach are forced up through your esophagus and out of your mouth when you vomit because your stomach muscles contract, or squeeze together. Rather than being diseases, nausea and vomiting are symptoms that indicate a variety of conditions, including:

• Infections such as gastroenteritis, or "stomach flu"

• Food poisoning

• Motion sickness

• Pregnancy

• Headache nausea is known as a migraine

Also Read: Loose Motion Home Remedies

Causes:

Your nausea and vomiting reflexes may be triggered by alterations in your central nervous system and immune system. These changes can be caused by a wide range of factors. Typical causes of nausea include:

• Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as gastritis, gastroparesis, and peptic ulcers

• Motion sickness, including seasickness

• Early in pregnancy

• Excruciating pain

• Food poisoning

• Indigestion, or post-meal nausea

• Infections

• Headaches caused by migraines

• Vertigo

• Specific smells or odors

• Excessive use of marijuana or alcohol

• Medication (as a side effect of chemotherapy, for instance)

Vomiting is usually not harmful, but it may indicate a more serious condition. Serious illnesses that can cause nausea or vomiting include the following:

• Head injuries

• Encephalitis

• Meningitis

• Obstruction of the intestinal tract

• Appendicitis

• Brain tumors

Treatment:

How can nausea get rid it?
Everybody has different ways of dealing with nausea, but there are a few things you can try to manage or alleviate it. Home remedies for nausea could include:

• Consuming ice-cold or clear drinks

• Consuming simple, light foods (like plain bread or saltine crackers)

• Avoiding foods that are greasy, sweet, or fried

• Consuming smaller, more frequent meals and eating them slowly

• Avoiding combining cold and hot foods

• Consuming liquids slowly

• Avoiding physical activity right after eating

• Do not brush your teeth right after eating

• To obtain enough nutrition, choose foods from every food group that you can handle.

Among treatments for vomiting are:

• Increasing the amount of clear liquids consumed over time

• Waiting for the vomiting episode to end before consuming solid food

• Resting

Often, nausea medication can be used to treat vomiting. However, you should consult your doctor before beginning these treatments.

What complications might nausea and vomiting cause?

Dehydration is one issue with vomiting. Because they can typically recognize the signs of dehydration (such as increased thirst and dry lips or mouth), adults are less likely to become dehydrated. Since they may not always be able to tell an adult when they are feeling dehydrated, children are more likely to become dehydrated, particularly if they are experiencing vomiting and diarrhea. The following visible signs of dehydration should be recognized by adults who are caring for ill children:

• Dry mouth and lips

•  Sunken eyes 

• Rapid pulse or breathing

Parents should check for a sunken fontanelle, or soft spot on top of the baby's head, and decreased urination in their infants.

How can nausea be prevented?

You might be able to avoid feeling sick by:

• Eating slowly

• Avoiding foods that are difficult to digest

• Reducing nausea can be achieved by resting after eating and keeping your head up about 12 inches above your feet.

• Either eat a high-protein snack (lean meat or cheese) before bed or eat some crackers before getting out of bed if you wake up feeling queasy. To avoid dehydration, drink liquids between meals rather than during them. You should also aim to consume six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. 

• Rather than eating three large meals a day, spread out your meals into smaller ones.

• Steer clear of stomach-turning foods.

• If the smell of hot or warm food makes you nauseous eat cold or room temperature foods.

• Try to eat when you're not feeling as nauseated.

• Take an over-the-counter medication before a car ride if you think you might get motion sickness.

How Can prevent, once you feel Nauseated?

You might be able to stop vomiting when you're feeling nauseated by:

• Consuming small amounts of fruit juices or soda or other clear, sweetened beverages. Steer clear of grapefruit and orange juices as they are excessively acidic.

• Resting, either propped up in a lying position or sitting. Activity can make nausea worse and cause vomiting.

To stop children from nauseated:

• Sit them facing the front windshield if they experience motion sickness-related nausea. (Watching movement through the side windows can exacerbate nausea.)

• They can develop or worsen motion sickness if they read or play video games.

Don't allow them to play and eat simultaneously. Vomiting may result from moving around while eating.

References:

• National Cancer Institute (U.S.). Treatment-Related Nausea and Vomiting (PDQ®)—Health Professional Version (https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/nausea/nausea-hp-pdq#section/all). Accessed 8/9/2023.

• American Academy of Family Physicians. Nausea and Vomiting (https://familydoctor.org/symptom/nausea-and-vomiting/). Accessed 8/9/2023.

• National Library of Medicine (U.S.). Nausea and Vomiting (https://medlineplus.gov/nauseaandvomiting.html). Accessed 8/9/2023.

• American Cancer Society. Understanding Nausea and Vomiting (https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/eating-problems/nausea-and-vomiting/what-is-it.html). Last reviewed 2/1/2020. Accessed 8/9/2023.

• Merck Manual (Consumer Version). Nausea and Vomiting in Adults (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/digestive-disorders/symptoms-of-digestive-disorders/nausea-and-vomiting-in-adults). Last reviewed 1/2022. Accessed 8/9/2023.

• National Health Service Inform (U.K.). Vomiting in adults (https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/vomiting-in-adults). Last reviewed 5/29/2023. Accessed 8/9/2023.