Nausea is a feeling of sickness with an inclination to vomit. Nausea can be psychological or physical in origin. There are many causes of nausea. Pregnant women typically experience nausea in their first trimester. Nausea may be caused by some underlying disease. Taking pills on an empty stomach, eating too much or too little, drinking too much alcohol, and intense or unpleasant smells can also induce feelings of nausea.
Some common causes of nausea are motion sickness, dizziness, fainting, excessive sweating, food poisoning or gastroenteritis (stomach infection), overeating, or it can be the side effects of many health conditions like heart attacks, kidney or liver disorders, central nervous system disorders, brain tumors and certain forms of cancer.
The treatment option would vary, depending on what is causing the nauseous feeling. The tips below may help to alleviate the symptoms for those treatments that are not severe and do not require medical intervention.
- Avoid any food that have strong flavors, are very sweet, greasy or fried
- Do not lie down immediately after eating
- Eat light and bland foods
- Do not mix hot and cold foods
- Drink beverages slowly
- Avoid activity after eating
- Drink clear or ice-cold drinks
- Try to eat smaller meals throughout the day than three large ones
- Stay hydrated by taking small sips of water at regular intervals
- Avoid carbonated beverages
If you feel nauseated:
- Natural remedies for nausea include ginger, and ginger and peppermint tea which can help settle your stomach.
- Apply gentle pressure to the inside of the wrists with the thumbs.
- Take deep breaths i.e. breathe in slowly through your nose, hold your breath for 3 seconds and slowly breathe out. Repeat several times until the nausea subsides.
- Try reclining with your upper body elevated, and move around as little as possible.
- If it is due to constipation, drink warm water with lemon juice which may stimulate your bowels.
Stay hydrated throughout the day by taking small sips of water at regular intervals – because nausea is also a symptom of dehydration, and dehydration can worsen nausea.
