Nausea is a really uncomfortable and annoying feeling, isn't it? It feels like your stomach is turning over, you feel like you're going to vomit, but you don't... Sometimes it can be caused by various diseases, medications you take, during pregnancy, or even when you're traveling in a car. Whatever the cause, you don't have to continue to suffer with this discomfort. There are many things you can do to control this condition. So today, let's talk about how to control this nausea.
Simple remedies you can do at home
The most important thing to do first is to listen to your body. Pay attention to what time of day you feel nauseous? What foods make it worse? What activities make it better? If possible, write these down in a notebook. Then you will understand what could be causing it. In addition, here are some simple things you can try.
The most important thing is not to do all of this at once, but to do it little by little and see if it suits your body.
Let's understand these things more clearly with a table.
| Advice | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Drink small amounts of clear liquids. | Drink small sips of water, herbal tea, light tea, ginger tea, and fresh fruit juice, rather than drinking large amounts at once. This will also prevent dehydration. |
| Avoid eating foods high in oil and fat. | Fried foods, oily 'short-eats', and cream are not good at this time. These are difficult to digest and can increase nausea. |
| Eat simple, non-spicy food. | Eat bland, easy-to-digest foods like crackers, bread, rice, mashed potatoes, and bananas. This is also called the 'BRAT diet' (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast). |
| Eat small meals throughout the day. | Instead of eating a large meal at once, eat small meals every two to three hours. An empty stomach can increase nausea, as can a full stomach. So don't keep your stomach empty. |
| Take some rest after eating. | Sit down for a while after eating, instead of running, jumping, or doing anything. But don't lie down directly , as this can increase acid reflux and cause nausea. |
| Try ginger or mint. | Ginger is a popular natural remedy for nausea. You can drink ginger tea or suck on a ginger-infused toffee. Some people also find relief by chewing on a few peppermint leaves or sucking on a mint toffee. |
Shall we also look at alternative treatments?
In addition to the Western medical treatments we are usually familiar with, there are other ways to help control nausea. We call these complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) . These have fewer side effects and can give you psychological relief and a sense of control over the situation.
But remember, you should definitely talk to your doctor before trying any of these, as some methods may not be suitable for your health condition.
- Relaxation techniques: Imagine yourself sitting in a quiet place, closing your eyes, taking slow, deep breaths, and exhaling slowly. Meditation and deep breathing exercises can help you relax and reduce nausea.
- Acupuncture or acupressure: These methods involve applying pressure to specific points on the body using fine needles or fingertips. This is believed to help control nausea. It is essential to seek the help of a qualified professional for this.
- Hypnosis: This is also a treatment performed by a trained professional. It helps control nausea through suggestions given while in a hypnotic state.
- Biofeedback: This involves using special equipment to help you understand your body's activities (such as your heart rate) and control them.
- Systematic Desensitization: This is a more complex form of psychotherapy. Simply put, it involves having you imagine situations that make you feel nauseous, and then gradually helping you to eliminate that fear. This is something that should be done with the help of a specialist.
Types of medicines prescribed by the doctor
If you can't control your nausea with home remedies and alternative methods, don't worry. Your doctor can prescribe a medication that's right for you.
Not all nausea is treated with the same medication. The type of medication you are given will vary depending on the reason for your nausea (for example, nausea after surgery, nausea during pregnancy, nausea due to cancer treatment).
Here are some commonly used categories of medications:
1. Serotonin (5-HT3) antagonists: These work by blocking the action of a chemical called serotonin in your brain and digestive system that can cause nausea. They are most commonly used to treat nausea caused by cancer treatment (chemotherapy).
2. NK-1 receptor antagonists: These medications directly affect the parts of the brain that control the vomiting process, blocking that process.
3. Dopamine antagonists: These are also a type of medication that works in the brain. They block dopamine, another chemical that causes nausea and vomiting.
4. Benzodiazepines: These are actually a type of medication that reduces anxiety. Sometimes, these medications can help you feel more relaxed by reducing the restlessness and fear that come with nausea.
These medications, their dosages, and side effects should only be discussed with your doctor. Never buy these medications from a pharmacy on your own.
Take-Home Message
- Nausea is not a disease, but a symptom. It is very important to find the underlying cause.
- First, start with simple things you can do at home (reducing oily food, drinking plenty of fluids, using ginger).
- If you're trying an alternative method like acupuncture, talk to your doctor about it first .
- If nausea persists, is severe, is accompanied by severe vomiting, or if you feel faint, seek medical advice immediately . It may be a sign of a serious illness.
- Do not take any over-the-counter medication for nausea, unless prescribed by a doctor. This can make the condition worse.
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