What are the common symptoms of nausea. How can you differentiate between normal nausea and potentially serious conditions. What are the most effective home remedies for managing nausea and vomiting. When should you seek medical attention for persistent nausea.

Recognizing Nausea: Key Symptoms and Sensations

Nausea is a common yet unpleasant sensation that often precedes vomiting. It’s characterized by a queasy feeling in the stomach, sometimes accompanied by sweating, dizziness, and a general sense of discomfort. While nausea doesn’t always lead to vomiting, it can be a distressing experience that affects daily activities.

Can nausea occur without vomiting? Indeed, it’s possible to feel nauseous without actually throwing up. This is particularly common in cases of motion sickness, early pregnancy, or mild food poisoning. The body’s natural defense mechanisms can sometimes manage the underlying cause without resorting to vomiting.

Common Symptoms Associated with Nausea

• Queasiness or upset stomach
• Abdominal discomfort or pain
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Excessive salivation
• Loss of appetite
• Sweating
• Weakness or fatigue

Unraveling the Causes: Why Nausea Occurs

Nausea can stem from a wide variety of causes, ranging from minor inconveniences to serious medical conditions. Understanding the potential triggers can help in identifying the underlying issue and seeking appropriate treatment.

Common Causes of Nausea

1. Motion sickness
2. Viral infections (e.g., stomach flu)
3. Food poisoning
4. Pregnancy (morning sickness)
5. Certain medications
6. Migraines
7. Anxiety or stress
8. Overeating or consuming rich, fatty foods
9. Acid reflux or GERD
10. Vertigo or inner ear problems

Is there a connection between nausea and dehydration? Absolutely. Dehydration can both cause and exacerbate nausea. When the body lacks sufficient fluids, it can lead to electrolyte imbalances and changes in blood pressure, which may trigger nausea. Conversely, persistent vomiting can lead to dehydration, creating a vicious cycle.

Diagnosing the Root Cause: When to See a Doctor

While most cases of nausea resolve on their own, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. It’s crucial to recognize these red flags to ensure timely intervention for potentially serious conditions.

Warning Signs That Require Medical Evaluation

• Blood in vomit (appears dark, like coffee grounds)
• Severe abdominal pain or swelling
• High fever accompanied by a stiff neck
• Signs of severe dehydration (extreme thirst, dark urine, dizziness)
• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Vomiting that lasts more than 24 hours
• Unexplained weight loss
• Confusion or decreased alertness

How do doctors diagnose the cause of persistent nausea? Medical professionals typically start with a thorough medical history and physical examination. Depending on the suspected cause, they may order blood tests, imaging studies (such as CT scans or ultrasounds), or endoscopic procedures to visualize the digestive tract.

Effective Treatment Strategies for Nausea Relief

Managing nausea often involves a combination of lifestyle changes, home remedies, and, in some cases, medication. The appropriate treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms.

Home Remedies and Lifestyle Adjustments

• Stay hydrated with small, frequent sips of clear fluids
• Consume ginger in various forms (tea, candies, or supplements)
• Practice deep breathing or meditation techniques
• Use acupressure bands on the wrists
• Avoid strong odors and triggering foods
• Rest in a cool, well-ventilated area
• Eat small, bland meals (e.g., crackers, toast, or rice)

Are there any effective over-the-counter medications for nausea? Yes, several OTC options can help alleviate nausea symptoms. Antiemetics like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine (Bonine) are commonly used for motion sickness. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) can help with nausea related to indigestion or mild food poisoning. However, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before using any medication, especially for pregnant women or individuals with chronic health conditions.

Preventing Nausea: Proactive Measures for a Healthier Lifestyle

While it’s not always possible to prevent nausea entirely, certain lifestyle choices and habits can significantly reduce its occurrence and severity.

Strategies to Minimize Nausea Risk

1. Maintain proper hygiene to avoid foodborne illnesses
2. Eat slowly and mindfully to prevent overeating
3. Stay hydrated throughout the day
4. Manage stress through regular exercise and relaxation techniques
5. Avoid known triggers, such as certain foods or strong odors
6. Get adequate sleep and maintain a consistent sleep schedule
7. Take motion sickness precautions when traveling
8. Practice good posture to reduce acid reflux

Can dietary changes help prevent chronic nausea? Certainly. For individuals prone to nausea, adopting a balanced diet with easily digestible foods can make a significant difference. Avoiding excessive caffeine, alcohol, and spicy or fatty foods can help maintain digestive stability. Additionally, eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day can prevent overloading the stomach and reduce the likelihood of nausea.

Special Considerations: Nausea in Specific Populations

Certain groups may experience nausea differently or require special attention when it comes to management and treatment.

Nausea During Pregnancy

Morning sickness, characterized by nausea and vomiting, affects a significant number of pregnant women, especially during the first trimester. While usually harmless, severe cases (hyperemesis gravidarum) may require medical intervention.

How can pregnant women safely manage nausea? Some safe strategies include:

• Eating small, frequent meals
• Consuming ginger tea or ginger supplements (with doctor’s approval)
• Wearing acupressure bands
• Avoiding strong odors and trigger foods
• Getting plenty of rest

Nausea in Children

Children may not always communicate feeling nauseous, often complaining of a “tummy ache” instead. Parents should be vigilant for signs of dehydration, especially in younger children who may vomit frequently.

What are the best ways to comfort a nauseous child? Consider these approaches:

• Offer small sips of clear fluids or ice chips
• Provide bland, easily digestible foods when appetite returns
• Encourage rest in a cool, quiet environment
• Use distraction techniques like reading stories or watching calm videos
• Monitor for signs of dehydration or worsening symptoms

Navigating Chronic Nausea: Long-term Management Strategies

For individuals dealing with persistent or recurring nausea, developing a comprehensive management plan is crucial for maintaining quality of life.

Approaches for Managing Chronic Nausea

1. Identify and avoid triggers through careful observation and food diaries
2. Work with a healthcare provider to address underlying conditions
3. Consider alternative therapies like acupuncture or hypnotherapy
4. Explore psychological support for nausea related to anxiety or stress
5. Maintain a consistent eating and medication schedule
6. Experiment with different anti-nausea techniques to find what works best

Is it possible to develop coping mechanisms for chronic nausea? Absolutely. Many individuals with chronic conditions find success in combining medical treatments with lifestyle adjustments and mental strategies. Mindfulness techniques, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and support groups can all play a role in managing the emotional and physical toll of persistent nausea.

The Future of Nausea Treatment: Emerging Research and Therapies

As our understanding of the mechanisms behind nausea and vomiting evolves, new treatment options continue to emerge. Researchers are exploring innovative approaches to provide more effective and targeted relief for various types of nausea.

Promising Areas of Research

• Neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists for chemotherapy-induced nausea
• Cannabinoid-based therapies for treatment-resistant nausea
• Neuromodulation techniques to regulate gut-brain communication
• Personalized medicine approaches based on genetic factors
• Advanced antiemetic drugs with fewer side effects

How might future treatments change the landscape of nausea management? As research progresses, we may see more tailored treatments that address specific causes of nausea with greater precision. This could lead to improved quality of life for those with chronic conditions and more effective relief for acute nausea episodes. Additionally, advancements in understanding the gut-brain axis may open up new avenues for treating nausea at its source, potentially offering long-term solutions rather than just symptomatic relief.

In conclusion, while nausea remains a challenging and often distressing symptom, our growing knowledge and expanding treatment options offer hope for better management and relief. By staying informed about the latest developments and working closely with healthcare providers, individuals can develop effective strategies to minimize the impact of nausea on their daily lives. Whether dealing with acute episodes or chronic conditions, a comprehensive approach that combines medical interventions, lifestyle adjustments, and emotional support can significantly improve outcomes and overall well-being.

Nausea and/or Vomiting

Nauseous? Queasy? The impending doom that you may throw up soon? As someone who regularly gets carsick, I feel your pain. That feeling of nausea is miserable, and I’m convinced that vomiting (also called emesis) is the most uncomfortable thing on the planet.

Nausea and vomiting don’t always go together, especially in our kiddos. They rarely communicate nausea and instead seem to just throw up out of nowhere. If you’re lucky, you might get a “my belly hurts” as a warning. Overeating is a common reason… and then they immediately feel better and continue running around like maniacs! As adults, we typically do feel nauseous before throwing up (and thus, we’re better at making it to the toilet).

Most of the time, nausea and/or vomiting is short-lived. They can be symptoms of so many things, from motion sickness to a virus to something more serious, such as vertigo (dizziness) or head trauma.

When should I be concerned about nausea and/or vomiting?

It’s time to be concerned if you witness:

• Blood in the vomit (also described as looking like coffee grounds, “coffee ground emesis”)
• Vomiting after trauma to the head
• Projectile vomiting in babies
• Confusion or decreased alertness
• Lethargy, dizziness, or lightheadedness
• Signs of dehydration
• Suspicion that you or your kiddo ingested a poisonous substance
• Severe abdominal pain or a swollen, tender abdomen
• Chest pain
• High fever and stiff neck
• Unexplained weight loss along with your nausea and vomiting
• Vomiting lasting more than 24 hours

If you or your kiddo aren’t having the above symptoms, it’s okay to wait this out at home.

What can be done to control or relieve nausea and vomiting?

• Stay hydrated with small sips throughout the day. Ginger ale, tea, or water will help.
• Either hold off on food for a while or stick to bland foods, such as toast or crackers. Avoid spicy foods and dairy products.
• Avoid strong odors.
• Rest! Don’t shake up that belly with increased activity.
• Get some fresh air.
• Smell peppermint oil.
• Take slow, deep breaths.
  ‍

What to do if you feel nausea after eating?

Stay upright for 30-60 minutes after your meal. You may be experiencing acid reflux (or heartburn), where the stomach acid creeps back up the esophagus. Feeling nauseous after eating could also indicate food poisoning or a stomach ulcer. Call your doctor if you suspect an ulcer!

What causes bile vomiting and what to do about it?

Bile is green or dark green, can be more greenish-yellow when mixed with stomach juices. This is a concerning finding, especially in infants. Call the doctor to see what’s going on.

Throwing up stomach juices and acid, which is yellow, is very common if you haven’t eaten in many hours or if you’ve already thrown up enough times to empty your stomach. If either of those are what you are experiencing, that is normal and there is no need to be concerned. Beyond the general concern of When will this misery stop? of course. Truly sorry you’re dealing with this, it isn’t fun at all.

If the nausea and vomiting are part of a virus, you may also experience headaches, stomach ache, diarrhea, fever. List some of your other symptoms in your Kinsa app so you can get more detailed information!

As you or your kiddo battle this illness, wash those hands – everyone in the family! You can’t wash too much. And grab some disinfectant to get those germs out of the house so you can move on before the next thing strikes. Wipe down surfaces and doorknobs – this is one of those things we don’t want to share. If you have gloves handy, wear those during vomit clean-up duty! Hopefully whatever is making you queasy is more short lived than my lifelong nemesis, motion sickness. Fingers crossed that you’ll be feeling better by tomorrow!

Feeling sick (nausea) – NHS

Feeling sick (nausea) is common and usually goes away on its own. There are some things you can try that might help.

Things that may help you stop feeling sick

Do

• get plenty of fresh air

• distract yourself – for example, listen to music or watch a film

• take regular sips of a cold drink

• drink ginger or peppermint tea

• eat foods containing ginger – such as ginger biscuits

• eat smaller, more frequent meals

Don’t

• do not eat or cook strong-smelling food

• do not eat hot, fried or greasy food

• do not eat too quickly

• do not have a large drink with meals

• do not lie down soon after eating

• do not wear clothes that are tight around your waist or tummy

Important:
If you’re being sick

If you’re also being sick (vomiting), you could become dehydrated.

Find out what to do if you’re vomiting

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if you:

• are feeling sick and do not feel better in a few days
• often feel sick (it keeps coming back)

The GP can look for the cause and suggest treatments.

They may prescribe anti-sickness medicine if needed.

Call 111 for advice if you cannot see a GP.

Immediate action required: Call 999 if:

You suddenly feel sick and have:

• chest pain that feels tight or heavy
• pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck or jaw
• shortness of breath

This could be a heart attack.

Common causes of feeling sick

Lots of things can make you feel sick.

Any other symptoms you have may give you an idea of the cause. But do not self-diagnose – see a GP if you’re worried.

Other reasons for feeling sick include:

• pregnancy (morning sickness)
• motion sickness
• anxiety
• alcohol
• medicines
• recent surgery

Information:

Do not worry if you’re not sure what’s causing you to feel sick. Try the things that may stop you feeling sick and see a GP if you do not feel better in a few days.

Page last reviewed: 12 May 2021
Next review due: 12 May 2024

Acupressure for nausea and vomiting

Share

Time to read:
Approximately 2 min.

This information explains how to use acupressure (AK-yoo-PREH-sher) to help with nausea and prevent vomiting. Nausea is the sensation of vomit. Vomiting is the eruption of vomit.

Acupressure is a type of massage. It is based on the traditional Chinese medicine practice of acupuncture (AK-yoo-PUNK-cher). With acupressure, pressure is applied to certain points of the body. Such points are called acupuncture points (AK-yoo-points).

Pressing these points allows the muscles to relax and improves blood circulation. It also helps relieve many of the side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting.

You can do acupressure at home by applying pressure to various acupuncture points with your fingers. To learn how to do acupressure, watch this video or follow the steps below.

This video will show you how to perform acupressure to help relieve nausea and vomiting.

Details on video

The P-6 massage point is also known as nay-gwann. It is located on the back of the hand next to the wrist. Massaging this point helps relieve nausea and prevent vomiting.

Massage of this point is not recommended in the following cases:

• The skin at or near the point is flaky or blistered.
• An open wound at or near a point.
• Rash at or near this point.
• Redness, swelling, fever, or pus at or near the point.

How to find a massage point P-6

To find the P-6 massage point:

1. Position your hand so that your fingers are pointing up and your palm is facing you.
2. Place the first 3 fingers of your other hand on your wrist (see picture 1). Your fingers should be just below the crook of your wrist.
3. Place your thumb just below your index finger. Remove 3 fingers from your wrist, but leave your thumb in place (see Figure 2). Press on this place with your thumb. Under the thumb, you should feel 2 large tendons (tissue that connects muscles to bones). This spot between the two tendons is the P-6 massage point.
   • Once you have found the massage point, you can relax your hand and keep it in a comfortable position.

Figure 1. How to place 3 fingers on the wrist to locate the thumb

Figure 2. How to press the thumb to the point under the index finger

1. Press this point with your thumb. While pressing, make circular movements with your thumb. You can move it clockwise (right) or counterclockwise (left). Do this for 2-3 minutes.
   • Some people may find it difficult to use their thumb. Instead, you can use your index finger.
   • Press hard enough, but not so hard that it hurts. You may feel some discomfort or tenderness, but it should not be pain. If you feel pain, then you are pressing too hard.
2. Repeat steps 1 to 4 on the other wrist.

You can massage this point several times a day until symptoms improve.

Acupressure is an additional treatment. Complementary therapies are treatments that can be used alongside primary cancer therapy. They can help relieve symptoms.

For more information about complementary treatments, call MSK’s Integrative Medicine Service at 646-449-1010 or visit www.mskcc.org/integrativemedicine.

You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form.

Share your opinion

Give us your feedback

Your feedback will help us improve the information we provide to patients and caregivers.

Questions

What should be explained in more detail?

Please do not write your name or any personal information.

Date last updated

Thursday, June 23, 2022

What to do with nausea? – Ameda

01/03/2018

1. Do not lie down

When you lie down, stomach acid can rise up your esophagus, making you feel sick and uncomfortable. Because of this, it is not advised to lie down immediately after eating, especially if you suffer from acid reflux. Also, try not to squeeze your abdominal muscles so as not to squeeze your stomach. If you feel sick, sit down and move as little as possible.

2. Open a window or sit in front of a fan

This will remove bad odors and distract you. Fresh air relieves nausea. That is why those who are motion sick in transport try to lean out of the window.

3. Apply a cold compress

Nausea may cause fever. Place a cold compress on the back of your neck for a few minutes. This will help bring down the temperature and soothe nausea.

4. Breathe deeply

This is especially helpful if your nausea is caused by stress or anxiety. Take a deep breath in through your nose, hold your breath for three seconds, and exhale slowly. Repeat several times.

5. Get distracted

The more you think about nausea, the worse you feel. Try distracting yourself with a book or movie. If you’re at work, take a few deep breaths and then do something you’ve been putting off for a long time, like writing a report.

6. Drink more fluids

Nausea can be a symptom of dehydration, but if you drink a lot of fluids at once, the discomfort will only get worse. Drink in small sips throughout the day. If you don’t feel like drinking plain water, drink water with pieces of fruit or decaffeinated tea.

7. Drink chamomile tea

Chamomile is a well-known folk remedy for nausea. In addition, it calms and helps to fall asleep. Pour a tablespoon of chamomile flowers with a glass of boiling water, let it brew for five minutes and drink.

8. Smell the lemon

Lemons contain citric acid, which is good for digestion. If nausea is caused by constipation, warm water with lemon juice will help stimulate the bowels. Just do not overdo it – an excessive amount of citric acid can increase nausea.

Even the smell of lemons helps to get rid of nausea. Smell an essential oil or just a fresh cut lemon.

9. Eat a piece of ginger

Ginger has antiemetic properties. For nausea, eat a small piece of fresh or candied ginger, or drink tea with it.

10. Brew mint

Take mint capsules or drink mint tea. The smell of essential oil or fresh mint leaves can also help relieve nausea.

11. Do not drink carbonated drinks

The gases in these drinks can cause bloating and sour belching. And the abundance of sugar in them will only increase nausea. If there is nothing but a carbonated drink, wait until the gases come out of it, and only then drink.

12. Do not eat junk food

Bananas, rice, applesauce are usually advised to recover from nausea. You can also eat some pasta without sauce, mashed potatoes, boiled eggs.