Nausea - Causes, Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment

Introduction:

Nausea is the discomfort of the stomach with a sensation of the urge to vomit. Nausea can be followed by vomiting. Vomiting is voluntary or involuntary emptying of the contents of the stomach through the mouth. There will be a buildup of saliva in the mouth in nausea. Nausea affects both children and adults.

What Are the Causes of Nausea?

A variety of reasons cause nausea. Nausea is not a disease but a symptom of certain conditions. Some people are more sensitive to travel, certain foods, and medications that cause nausea. Some common causes of nausea include:

• Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease: This is a condition in which the stomach’s acid flows back into the esophagus. This causes heartburn and nausea.

• Infections: Bacterial or viral infections affecting the stomach result in nausea.

• Medications: Certain medications like antibiotics and over-the-counter painkillers can cause nausea. Read the information on medicines or discuss with the doctor about nausea before taking any new treatment or medicine.

• Motion Sickness and Seasickness: Some people are more sensitive to travel, and they experience nausea, dizziness, and vomiting during travel.

• Benign Positional Vertigo: Changes in posture and slight movements of the head can trigger nausea.

• Diet: Overeating or eating foods that can cause allergies can cause nausea. Spicy or high-fat foods can cause stomach upset and nausea.

• Pain: Pain in conditions like gallstones (hardened bile deposits in the gallbladder), kidney stones (calcified stone deposits in the kidney), and pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) can cause nausea.

• Ulcer: Ulcers of the stomach or the lining of the small intestine can cause a burning sensation and nausea.

• Migraine: Some smells or odors triggering migraine can also cause nausea.

• Gastritis: Infection caused by Helicobacter pylori can cause nausea.

• Gastroparesis: In this condition, stomach emptying usually occurs slower, which causes nausea.

• Ear Infection: An inner ear infection can cause dizziness and nausea.

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• Thyroid Disorders: Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can cause nausea.

• Gynecologic Conditions: Dysmenorrhea (painful maestruation and excess bleeding) can cause nausea.

• Low Blood Sugar: A decrease in blood sugar levels can cause nausea.

• Alcohol: Excess alcohol consumption and alcohol withdrawal can cause nausea.

• Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver can cause nausea.

• Anesthesia: Some people feel nausea after waking up from anesthesia.

• Early Stages of Pregnancy: Women in their first-trimester experience nausea and vomiting. Nausea occurs in almost 50 to 90 % of pregnancies.

• Emotional Stress: Anxiety, stress, and fear can cause nausea.

• Heart Attack: Nausea is one of the symptoms of a heart attack.

• Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy (cancer therapy by emmiting radiation to the targeted organ) can result in nausea.

• Chemotherapy: Acute and delayed nausea can result from chemotherapy (anti-cancer drugs that destroy rapidly growing cancer cells) drugs.

• Food Poisoning: Gastrointestinal infections caused by food poisoning can cause nausea.

What Is the Duration of Nausea?

The duration of nausea depends on the cause. Nausea usually resolves in a few hours or a day. Nausea and vomiting caused by stomach flu resolve in 24 hours, whereas nausea and vomiting from food poisoning take about 48 hours.

How Is Nausea Diagnosed?

• Physical examination and medical history about symptoms can diagnose nausea.

• If vomiting is present, look for signs of dehydration.

• Other tests include blood tests, ultrasound, liver function tests, radiography, and endoscopy to rule out the underlying conditions.

• A pregnancy test is taken if nausea is present in women of young age.

How Can We Prevent Nausea?

Avoiding the factors which trigger nausea can prevent nausea onset. Those include:

• Avoid lights that induce migraine.

• Avoid strong perfumes and odors.

• Avoid foods that are difficult to digest.

• Rest after eating and keep the head elevated about 12 inches high above the feet.

• Avoid drinking more water during meals.

• Avoid sea travel.

• Taking anti-nausea medication Scopolamine can prevent nausea during travel.

• Eating small, frequent meals can reduce nausea.

• Drink more water to prevent dehydration.

How Can We Treat Nausea?

Treatment for nausea depends on the cause. Some simple measures include:

• Too much activity and not getting enough rest can worsen nausea. So take adequate rest.

• Get some fresh air.

• Eat light, bland foods.

• Drink clear or ice-cold drinks.

• Avoid spicy, fried, or sweet foods.

• Drink beverages slowly.

• Eat slowly and eat small, frequent meals.

• Avoid physical activity immediately after eating.

• Do not mix hot and cold foods.

• Avoid brushing your teeth after eating.

• If you are pregnant and have morning sickness, try eating crackers before getting out of bed.

• Eat a high-protein diet before bed.

• In motion sickness, over-the-counter medications such as Dramamine and Meclizine are helpful.

• Placing a cold compress on the back of the neck can relieve nausea.

• Meditation or taking deep breaths can reduce nausea.

• Drinking water mixed with lemon juice can reduce nausea.

• To reduce nausea, eat a piece of ginger or drink ginger tea.

• Peppermint oil can reduce nausea in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

• Medications used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting are called antiemetics. The most commonly used antiemetics are Promethazine, Metoclopramide, and Ondansetron.

• Acupressure for Nausea: Stimulating an acupressure point called P6 with fingers can relieve nausea. Using the middle and index fingers, press firmly on the inside of the wrist on the groove between the two large tendons.

How to Prevent Vomiting After Feeling Nauseated?

Once you feel nauseated, you can prevent vomiting by:

• Drinking a small amount of clear, sweetened liquids (soda or fruit juices except orange and grape juices).

• Activity can worsen nausea and cause vomiting. So resting while sitting or lying can prevent vomiting.

• Avoid alcohol.

• Avoid caffeinated drinks like coffee or tea.

• To prevent motion sickness, sit facing the front windshield because watching fast movements outside the windows can worsen nausea. Reading or using a mobile phone in a car can also cause motion sickness.

• Eating and playing at the same time can cause nausea in children.

• Vitamin B6 is highly recommended for pregnant women who do not like to take nausea medication.

Conclusion:

Nausea is not a severe symptom. Mostly nausea is temporary. Nausea is a very uncomfortable sensation. Certain home remedies and over-the-counter medications can reduce nausea, but sometimes, it may lead to vomiting. However, most people recover within a few hours or a day.

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