Nausea is an uneasiness of the stomach that
often comes before vomiting. Vomiting is the forcible voluntary or involuntary
emptying ("throwing up") of stomach contents through the mouth.
Nausea and vomiting are not diseases, but
they are symptoms of many conditions such as:
- Motion sickness or seasickness
- Early stages of pregnancy (nausea occurs in approximately
50%-90% of all pregnancies; vomiting in 25%-55%)
- Medication-induced vomiting
- Intense pain
- Emotional stress (such as fear)
- Gallbladder disease
- Food poisoning
- Infections (such as the "stomach flu")
- Overeating
- A reaction to certain smells or odors
- Heart attack
- Concussion or brain injury
- Brain tumor
- Ulcers
- Some forms of cancer
- Bulimia or other psychological illnesses
- Gastro paresis or slow stomach emptying (a condition that can be
seen in people with diabetes)
- Ingestion of toxins or excessive amounts of alcohol
The causes of vomiting differ according to
age. For children, it is common for vomiting to occur from a viral infection, food
poisoning, milk allergy, motion sickness, overeating or feeding, coughing, or
blocked intestines and illnesses in which the child has a high fever.
The timing of the nausea or vomiting can
indicate the cause. When appearing shortly after a meal, nausea or vomiting may
be caused by food poisoning, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), an ulcer,
or bulimia. Nausea or vomiting one to eight hours after a meal may also
indicate food poisoning. However, certain food- borne bacteria, such as
salmonella, can take longer to produce symptoms.
Home
Remedies for Nausea
1. Ginger
Ginger is a
very useful home remedy for nausea relief. You can also add grounded ginger
while preparing tea. Else, chew it directly to get relief in nausea.
Note- Children,
less than the age of 2 years, should not be given ginger.
2.
Acupressure
Acupressure
is the process of applying pressure on the trigger points to relieve symptoms
that cause nausea. You just need to apply pressure on your wrist with the help
of your thumb. You can either apply the pressure at your own or can use nausea
band for this purpose. It is believed that activating the trigger points
release neurotransmitters, like endorphins or serotonin, which in fact, block
other chemicals that make you feel sick.
3. Lemon
Lemon is one
of the good home remedies for nausea and vomiting. Squeeze a lemon and take out
its juice. Mix it with water and consume in small quantities from time to time.
This is an excellent natural cure for nausea. Smelling the sliced lemon also
makes you feel better.
4.
Peppermint
Peppermint
is another tremendous reliever of nausea. Suck on a peppermint candy or sip
peppermint tea to get rid of nausea fast.
6. Apply
a Cool Compress
Applying a
cool compress at the back of your neck can cure nausea A washcloth soaked in
cool water, or an ice pack settled in the freezer for hours can be used as a
cool compress. Cool compress can be applied depending on the posture of the
patient. While lying down, the compress should be placed under the neck, and if
the patient is sitting, drape the compress across the back of the neck. Cool
compress is also an effective natural remedy to treat nausea.
7.
Exercise
Various
exercises can also help in getting rid of nausea. Lie your head down flat,
without any pillow, and bend your knees. Make sure that you are breathing
properly. You can do the same exercise while sitting by keeping your back
against wall, putting the knees up and head between them. Make sure you breathe
properly.
Some simple
neck and back exercises may prove helpful in relieving from nausea.
- Back Exercise- Put down a
yoga mat on the floor and lie down straight, without bending any part of
the body. Now, lift the upper body. Allowing your back arch, stretch as
you incline your head back, as far as possible. Make sure that the area
beneath your chin is facing the ceiling.
- Neck Exercise- Neck
exercise is somewhat simpler. This can be done while sitting or standing.
Bend your head forward so that the chin touches the chest. Keeps this
position for 10-15 seconds, taking proper breathes. Follow this by
tilting, and not rolling the head on the left, and then, to the right side
of the body (like you are touching the shoulder with your ear). Make sure
that you do not roll the neck as it can increase the dizziness and nausea.
8. Milk
Toast
The spongy
texture of bread absorbs the extra acid in the stomach, and the mixture of
bread and milk is excellent to calm your tummy. Take 1 cup of hot milk. Then,
apply unsalted butter on the toasted bread and crumble it into the milk. Eat it
slowly.
Note:
It should not be taken by those, who are suffering from stomach flu
or gastroenteritis.
9.
Chamomile Tea
Some people
develop the problem of nausea due to psychological reasons as well. For them,
chamomile tea is an effective natural cure for nausea. It has some
tranquilizing effects that ease anxiety and stress. Chamomile tea also reduces
the contractions and cramps in the stomach, which occurs due to vomiting again
and again.
10.
Various Herbs
Various
herbal remedies for nausea are also available, like cloves, fennel, and
cinnamon. These can be consumed as a concoction or in supplement form. Fennel
seeds improve the digestion power, cloves are quick relievers of nausea, and
cinnamon has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, which helps in reducing
bloating and gas.
11.
Non-carbonated Syrup
Sugar, mixed
in water with a pinch of salt, can be taken to get relief from nausea. It is
advisable to imbibe this potion after every half an hour. Drinking other such
non-carbonated drinks is also an effective way to help nausea.
12. Honey
Honey is a
good natural remedy for a lot of disorders, including nausea. Consumption of
the potion of honey with apple cider vinegar and water at regular intervals can
treat nausea well.
13. Rice
Water
The water,
left out after draining cooked rice, can be taken in lukewarm form. It is also
a natural home remedy for nausea relief.
14. Drink
Water
Remember to
hydrate yourself well and sleep well to heal nausea quick.
15. Cumin
Seeds
A table
spoon of cumin seeds with yogurt or mixed in a glass of milk can help treat
nausea. Cumin seeds can also be eaten plain.
16.
Baking Soda
1½
tablespoon of baking soda in warm water can be consumed to help nausea.
Note: It
should not be consumed by pregnant ladies at all.
17. Ice
Cube
Swallowing
ice-cubes, ice chips, and popsicles can also help in curing nausea.
18.
Aniseed
Add ¼ tsp of
aniseed in ½ cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 5-7 minutes. Then, strain
it. Drink it at least once a day. You can also sprinkle aniseeds on pumpkin or
carrots.
19. Onion
Extract the
juice of an onion. Add 1 tsp grated ginger to 1 tsp of onion juice. Take it. It
is a natural cure for nausea.
20. Mint
Take 1 tbsp
of dried mint leaves and steep them for ½ hour in 1 pint hot water. Strain it
and drink. Instead of tossing out the mint leaves, eat them. Boiled mint leaves
are also good for nausea.