Everyone dreads the symptom of nausea. You've probably felt that way at least once, possibly after eating something that didn't sit well with you or perhaps while reading a book in a moving car.
Nausea is a term that describes the uneasy feeling in your stomach that means you might have to vomit.
Here is what you need to know when you feel nauseous—and when you should visit a doctor—even if it's typically not serious.
What Are the Signs Symptoms of Nausea?
Generally, nausea makes your stomach feel sick. Other indications and nausea symptoms include:
- Weakness
- Sweating
- Saliva accumulating in your mouth
- Craving to vomit
What Exactly Causes Vomiting or Nausea?
Vomiting and nausea are symptoms of many different disorders, some main nausea causes are:
- Sea sickness or motion sickness
- Early stages of pregnancy (some may experience vomiting and some nausea)
- Medication
- Severe stomach pain
- Gallbladder condition
- Foodborne illness
- Emotional tension (such as fear)
- Infections (such as stomach flu)
- Overeating
- A response to specific scents or odours
- Chest pain
- Brain injury or concussion
- Ulcers
- certain types of cancer
- Brain tumour
- Psychological or mental disorders
- Gastroparesis (a condition that can be seen in people with diabetes)
- Consumption of poisons or a lot of alcohol
- Appendicitis
- Intestine blockage
Other factors that can cause nausea and vomiting include hot weather, humidity, flickering lights, and driving.
How Is Nausea Diagnosed?
Your doctor will gather information about your health history, inquire about your symptoms, and perform a physical examination to find out what's causing your nausea. They may perform certain tests, such as blood, urine, and sometimes a pregnancy test, as well as search for indications of dehydration.
Is Nausea or Vomiting A Serious Condition?
Persistent vomiting during pregnancy can result in Hyperemesis gravidarum, a dangerous disorder where the woman may develop fluid and mineral imbalances that could risk their life or the lives of their unborn child.
Rarely, excessive vomiting can cause a Mallory-Weiss rip, which is a separation of the lining of the oesophagus. Boerhaave's syndrome, which occurs when the oesophagus ruptures.
When to See A Doctor?
Nausea is typically not serious and goes away in a day or two. But it can also be a sign of a wide range of other diseases. Rarely, it may be an indication of a serious or perhaps fatal medical condition. When you feel nauseous or to vomit in the following ways, you should seek medical attention right away:
- The vomit contains blood (bright red or “coffee grounds” in appearance)
- Stiff neck or a severe headache
- Disorientation, drowsiness, or a loss of attentiveness
- Intense stomach discomfort
- Diarrhea
- Rapid breathing or heartbeat
How Can Nausea and Vomiting Be Treated?
Self-care techniques with varying levels of research support in nausea treatment. The following advice is beneficial:
- Take some rest
- Try to drink short sips of cool, clear, carbonated, or sour liquids like water, ginger ale, lemonade, or soda (Mint tea may reduce nausea)
- Stay hydrated
- Take oral rehydration products like Pedialyte or ORS
- Avoid smells or a strong scent
- Eat less fatty and hot food
Wait until your body feels ready to ingest solid foods if you've been throwing up. Start with simple-to-digest items like rice, crackers, toast, applesauce, and bananas when you feel you can tolerate solids. If you have been vomiting or feel like you might start, try cereal, rice, fruit, and salty or high-protein, high-carbohydrate items when you can hold these down without throwing up.
Also Read: What Is Fatty Liver – How and Why Does One Get Diagnosed With Fatty Liver
Medication for Nausea
Over-the-counter motion sickness drugs can help reduce symptoms if you suffer from motion sickness. These consist of:
- Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
- Meclizine (Travel Sickness)
Additional drugs that can help with different types of nausea are-
- Liquid or chewable antacids
- Pepto-Bismol (bismuth sub-salicylate)
- Mixture of glucose, fructose
- Phosphoric acid (Emetrol)
Nausea and vomiting are not serious illnesses, and they frequently go away on their own, but they can be signs of a variety of diseases with varying degrees of severity like kidney or liver disorders, heart attack and some types of cancer. If you’re unable to find nausea reasons and feel nauseous for more than two days call for a doctor immediately.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
