Nausea (feeling “sick to your stomach”) is common.
It is related to various conditions and even changes in diet.
Nausea usually resolves on its own in a few hours, especially when it is resulting from diet.
Sladic / Getty Images
Sladic / Getty Images
What Causes Nausea?
Nauseais a nonspecific symptom, meaning it can be related to many different conditions, both digestive and non-digestive.
It could also result for no apparent reason.
For some people, nausea is triggered by acidic foods, like tomatoes or oranges.
Drinks could also cause nausea.
Migraine
Amigraineis a jot down of headache that can become disabling.
It may cause symptoms that include throbbing head pain along with nausea and sensitivity to sound and light.
The nausea may come on even before the head pain does.
Symptoms from drinking and how much drinking can bring them on vary by individual.
There is no clear remedy forhangovers.
This is called exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome (EIGS).
Supplement or Medication Side Effect
Nausea is an extremely common adverse effect of medications or supplements.
It tends to improve by about the 20th week of pregnancy.
Rarely, pregnancy can cause extreme nausea and vomiting, which is a condition calledhyperemesis gravidarum.
Inner Ear Conditions
The ear contains organs that affect a person’sbalanceand hearing.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Diseases and conditions affecting the gastrointestinal system can cause nausea for many reasons.
Some of them are common and less serious, while others are rare but severe.
In vomit, the blood might also appear bright red or look like coffee grounds.
A cardiac event is usually accompanied by other symptoms, most notably chest pain.
One trick often used at hospitals and emergency departments to relieve nausea is smelling isopropyl alcohol.
To do this, open an alcohol wipe and inhale the fumes.
Holding the alcohol pad 1 to 2 centimeters below the nose and inhaling deeply seems to work best.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Nausea is troublesome and can be challenging to deal with.
The loss of fluids through loose stools or vomiting can lead todehydration.
Nausea could cause you to avoid drinking enough fluids or keeping them down, which can result in dehydration.
Summary
Nausea is a common symptom of many different conditions.
It can also occur independently without being connected to a specific condition or event.
Nausea often can be treated at home with a modified diet or over-the-counter medications.
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