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Nausea is a catchall sensation that we’ve all experienced at some point in our lives. It can be incredibly challenging as it often disturbs the stomach and triggers the urge to throw up. You may also feel lightheaded or dizzy and may have difficulty swallowing.
According to research, nausea can be a result of undergoingchemotherapy,eating spoiled food, being pregnant, or having migraines. Meanwhile, chronic nausea for unexplained reasons affects0.6% of adults.
Most cases of vomiting and nausea aren't severe. But if nausea persists for more than one day a week, it's time to consult a physician as this cansignificantly impact your quality of life.
So, let’s delve into nausea, its symptoms, causes, and ways to cope with it.
Nausea is uncomfortable yet unpainful - leading to a peculiar feeling in the chest, upper abdomen, or back of the throat. The term is derived from Greek terms ναυσια & ναυτια - which designated the significantsigns and symptoms of seasickness.
The most common sign is the sensation of imminent vomiting. Some other possible signs include:
More thanone study further confirms that nausea can either occur alone or accompany dyspepsia, gastrointestinal symptoms, or vomiting.
Also, both vomiting and nausea are symptoms of various other health conditions.
Vomiting and nausea usually go hand in hand, but they are slightly different. While the frequency of nausea falls between50% to 80%, the rate of vomiting is approximately 50%.
Nausea is that unsettled, queasy feeling in the stomach like it’s doing somersaults — making you want to “hurl.” But that’s not the actual act of tossing your cookies!
On the other hand, vomiting is the real deal; it is when your stomach says, “Enough!” and throws out its contents through your mouth.
In short, nausea gives you a warning bell that tells you something is not right in the stomach, and vomit makes you get rid of what’s irritating it.
Knowing what exactly is causing nausea can be complex.Research suggests that the act of vomiting and the sensation of nausea occur as a result of both pathological and psychological conditions.
For instance, if your stomach gets upset after you’ve tried new food earlier that day, it may demonstrate food poisoning. Likewise, it could be due to motion sickness if you feel queasy during a road trip.
Infection often leads to nausea. This may involve:
Abdominal stress or nausea can also occur as a result of:
A proper diagnosis of the cause behind nausea can determine the best course of action. Here’s how:
Your physician will enquire about your activities and other symptoms that could have triggered this condition. Sometimes, nausea may simply indicate an undetected pregnancy.
However, a physician may seek the help of other tests to determine the exact cause.
Depending on your medical history and recent symptoms, these tests may include neurological examination, abdominal examination, and blood pressure testing. If you have had a head injury, you may also need a brain imaging test like a Computed Tomography Scan (CT scan).
Once you’re diagnosed with nausea and it persists for a couple of days, you need medical treatment to cure this condition.
What helps with vomiting and nausea differs from person to person, but you can control this uncomfortable sensation through several things.
Some at-home remedies for nausea include:
Ginger has been used for centuries to alleviate nausea. It is believed to stimulate saliva flow and aid digestion. You can consume it in the form of tea, capsule, or food.
Interestingly,several studies suggest that ginger can ease nausea caused by chemotherapy, anesthesia, and morning sickness.
According to a review, aromatherapy can reduce feelings of nausea as compared to placebo treatment. In this, vomiting or nausea symptoms are reduced by using some essential oils such as:
Staying hydrated lowers nausea by keeping electrolytes in balance. Drinking fluids, like oral rehydration solutions or water, can settle the stomach by replacing all the lost electrolytes.
In astudy conducted by the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, it was recommended that vomiting adults drink sufficient fluids to prevent dehydration.
Start with see-through fluids like clear soups, juices, Jello, water, popsicles, and Gatorade. Drink a small amount (almost one tablespoon) every 20 to 25 minutes.
Another proven technique to relieve nausea ispracticing deep breathing. It can improve your health by activating the diaphragm, ultimately creating a massaging action felt by organs like the stomach. This can reduce bloating, constipation, urgency, and abdominal pain – all of which are linked to nausea.
This relaxation technique will regulate bodily processes and lower stress levels, too.
The application of an ice pack or a cold compress can highly assist with nausea by providing a nice cooling sensation on the forehead and the back of the neck. This counteracts the response of the hypothalamus to nausea and lessens the feeling of being flushed or hot.
You can either use a homemade or a store-bought compress that can be easily kept in the freezer.
All these remedies are super helpful when it comes to alleviating nausea. Luckily, most people recover fast with these effective tips and don’t even need medical intervention.
But see, ifnausea still lingers without improvement and gets worse, you may opt for over-the-counter medications for relieving nausea symptoms.
Since most anti-nausea medications show side effects of drowsiness, therefore, a woman who is pregnant must consult with a physician to choose a drug that is safe for the baby.
Also, if you continue to feel queasy after using these remedies, you must consult a physician who may prescribe some drugs.
Although the causes of nausea aren’t that easy to prevent, you can adopt some lifestyle changes and guidelines to reduce the episodes of nausea:
Nausea triggers vary from one person to another. Some can’t bear the smell of meat while cooking, while others feel queasy when thinking about certain vegetables.
Here are some food options that most nauseating people find easy to tolerate:
Don’t skip your meals, especially in the morning. Any food is better than keeping your stomach empty; eat something you can manage easily. But try to aim for something with vitamins and protein.
It is evident through studies that when your vomiting and nausea stop, you can go back to your normal diet but start back gradually as your body might not be able to accept it instantly.
Nausea is a disruptive and unpleasant experience thatsignals your body to avoid toxic ingestion. Whether it’s due to a stomach bug, pregnancy, or motion sickness, it can leave you feeling weak and exhausted. Often, this is short-term and not a cause for concern.
But if nausea persists or keeps coming back, it could imply a more serious underlying condition.
That said, it’s best to seek medical advice to opt for the most appropriate treatment plan.
Hope this article helped you understand nausea better!