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What is nausea? -

Nausea is that awful, queasy, sick-to-your-stomach feeling you have when you think you might vomit.

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Worrying symptom -

While not painful, nausea can be a debilitating symptom if prolonged.

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Discomfort -

The sensation has been variously described as placing discomfort on the chest, upper abdomen, or back of the throat.

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A condition that can be prevented -

Nausea has many causes. Fortunately, however, the condition can be often be prevented.

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What causes nausea? -

Some people are highly sensitive to motion, often called motion sickness. Just traveling in a moving vehicle, for example, can induce a feeling of nausea. It occurs when when the central nervous system receives conflicting messages from the body (including the inner ear, eyes, and muscles), affecting balance and equilibrium.

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Motion sickness -

Similarly, sea sickness is a classic cause of nausea, and is often more profound in nature due to the sometimes violent movements experienced by a vessel at sea.

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Air sickness -

Even the relative stability of a passenger aircraft flight can prompt a bout of nausea. Airsickness is another specific form of motion sickness.

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Food poisoning -

Certain foods, whether unusual and exotic and therefore alien to the stomach, or ingredients that have been contaminated by foodborne bacteria, can cause nausea. The sensation is often a primary indicator of food poisoning. Viral infections can also cause nausea.

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Side effects -

Nausea or dizziness is associated with taking certain prescription medication. Potential side effects of taking any medication should be clearly listed on or within packaging so as to warn users beforehand of any risk to health.

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Morning sickness -

Common symptoms of morning sickness include nausea and vomiting, especially evident in early pregnancy.

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Heartburn -

Heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause your stomach's contents to move back up your esophagus when you eat. The acidity associated with this debilitating condition creates a burning sensation that can promote nausea.

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Unpleasant odors -

People subject to bad smells and unpleasant odors may get headaches or complain of dizziness or nausea. A truly awful stench—rotting meat, for example—can induce severe retching and vomiting.

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Overeating -

Overeating or overindulging in spicy or high-fat foods can cause nausea. These habits are also the primary catalysts for heartburn.

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Ulcer -

Ulcers, or sores in the stomach or the lining of the small intestine, can be excruciatingly painful, a sensation exacerbated by eating, during which they can cause a burning sensation and sudden nausea.

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Lack of sleep -

Lack of sleep can very often promote a feeling of nausea along with daytime fatigue (sleep inertia) and headache.

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Migraine -

Besides almost unbearable headaches, migraine symptoms usually include sensitivity to light, sound, and sometimes smell and touch, and quite often nausea and vomiting.

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Low blood sugar -

Symptoms of low blood sugar can include nausea, and certainly dizziness, among a raft of other indicators.

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Symptoms of nausea -

Generally when you are experiencing nausea, you feel profoundly sick to your stomach. But there are other indicators, such as pronounced sweating.

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Lack of energy -

An overall sense of weakness and fragility is often an accompanying symptom of nausea.

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Disgust -

Any emotional response of rejection or revulsion to something potentially contagious or something considered offensive, distasteful, or unpleasant— in other words, disgusting—can induce a feeling of nausea.

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When to seek medical attention -

Seek immediate medical attention if your nausea is accompanied by heart attack symptoms, such as crushing chest pain. Likewise, if your nausea doesn't subside within 24 hours of trying over-the-counter interventions, it's time to call the doctor.

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How to treat nausea -

Treatment for nausea largely depends on the cause. Motion sickness, for example, can be helped with medications such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), an antihistamine. However, before you use any antiemetic (a drug that is effective against vomiting and nausea), it's important to consult your doctor.

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Natural remedies to banish nausea -

There are several natural remedies used to combat nausea. These can be applied without running the risk of experiencing negative side effects, including drowsiness.

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Ginger -

Eat ginger. Ginger root has long been used as a natural remedy to treat nausea.

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Peppermint aromatherapy -

Peppermint aromatherapy is another alternative likely to help reduce nausea.

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Lemon -

Inhaling citrusy aromas such as those from a freshly sliced lemon may help alleviate the feeling of nausea. Studies suggest that pregnant women suffering from nausea benefit from lemon inhalation aromatherapy.

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Prevention rather than cure -

The best way to prevent nausea is by avoiding the triggers that induce it. For example, if you're prone to migraines, try and avert your gaze from any flickering lights, which can trigger an attack.

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Heat and humidity -

Excessive heat and stifling humidity is a known cause of nausea. Keeping down your body heat will help you avoid feeling sick.

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Avoid sea voyages -

It may cramp your travel plans, but avoid air and sea travel if you know you're going to get sick. Plan short journeys by vehicle.

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Change your diet -

Changing your eating habits will probably help reduce your instances of nausea. Ditch spicy and greasy food for cereals, crackers, toasts, and suchlike. Avoid large portions and instead opt for eating small, frequent meals.

Sources: (HNS) (Stanford Health Care) (National Center for Biotechnology Information) 

See also: How to strengthen your immune system

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