Causes of Nausea
You may experience nausea and/or vomiting for a number of reasons, including:
1. Stomach problems (acute gastritis – irritation of the lining of the stomach) – can be caused by infections, food poisoning, the stomach flu, peptic ulcer disease, and gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)
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2. Medications – nausea and vomiting can be a side effect of multiple drugs including those used for chemotherapy and radiation
3. Central Nervous System problems (signals in the brain that cause nausea and/or vomiting) – can be caused by headaches, migraines, inner ear problems, brain injuries, or a noxious stimulus (i.e. a strong smell, breaking a bone, etc.)
4. Other illnesses that are not stomach problems – illnesses that affect the internal organs can result in nausea and vomiting. Examples of these illnesses include: certain forms of cancer, hepatitis, Crohn’s disease, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney disease, among other illnesses.
Remedies for Nausea
If you’re experiencing nausea there are a number of things that you can try for better digestion.
To help ease nausea, try the following:
– Ginger is one of the most widely used natural digestion aids – ginger tea, ginger snaps, crystallized ginger may help to calm stomach problems and provide nausea relief
– Peppermint is another product used in herbal medicine for better digestion as it has a calming effect on the lining of the stomach.
– Lie down – movement disturbs your inner ear mechanism and may worsen nausea
– Try acupressure points – there are two acupressure points for nausea (Pericardium 6 – located on the inner side of your wrist and Stomach 36 – located at the outer edge of your knee cap). Applying steady pressure to these areas when you’re experiencing nausea, may help to decrease your symptoms
To help with better digestion and prevent nausea try the following:
– Drink clear fluids to help prevent dehydration – water, sports drinks, popsicles, and jello are examples of clear fluids
– Follow the BRAT (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast) diet– these are light, bland foods which will allow for better digestion
– Avoid fried, greasy foods
– Eat smaller meals more frequently through the day
– Eat food and drink beverages slowly
– Rest after eating
– Avoid mixing hot and cold foods
– Avoid dairy products
Better Digestion to Prevent Nausea
Nausea can be disturbing to your regular routine and may prevent you from participating in activities that you enjoy. Helping to prevent nausea by changing up your diet routine to allow for better digestion is the best way to prevent nausea. However, if you’re experiencing occasional bouts of nausea try some of the natural digestion aids mentioned to help ease your stomach problems and related nausea. Always remember to talk to your doctor if home remedies don’t provide relief, you may require a prescription to help to control your symptoms