Nausea

Nausea is not a condition, but a symptom. Nausea is very common and can occur for a variety of reasons and can often be treated. Left untreated, nausea will typically dissipate, but often the discomfort a patient feels lasts too long for a natural cure. Nausea is the sensation of illness focused on the stomach, and can be caused by chemical reactions within the stomach that are off balance. Too much acid, bile, or other chemical reactions in the stomach can cause nausea. Medications can cause chemical reactions in the stomach that cause nausea.

NAUSEA SYMPTOMS

Nausea typically does not lead to vomiting, although most patients physically feel relieved if vomiting occurs. Nausea is a signal that the stomach acids require balancing and can often be cured with a simple antacid. Severe cases of nausea can lead to a temporary inability to function.

NAUSEA CAUSES

Nausea is most commonly caused by medications, such as analgesics, medications for heart problems, blood pressure problems, seizures, asthma, headaches and migraines, and anemia can all cause nausea. Nausea can also be caused by irritants that are consumed through the diet. An overuse of caffeine, for example, can irritate the stomach acids and cause nausea.

Nausea can be caused by emotional triggers. Some patients can experience nausea from visually witnessing disturbing images. Others may become nauseated when they are emotionally stressed and worried, particularly patients with anxiety disorders or eating disorders, or stress disorders. Patients who place themselves under severe pressure to perform perfectly often experience nausea and may develop ulcers from the chronic production of bile and acids in the stomach.

Medications that treat nausea can be purchased over the counter or come in prescription forms that allow the stomach acids to level out as well as intercept the brain’s receptors that interpret nausea.

NAUSEA TREATMENT

Nausea can be triggered y motion sickness, and can be treated with medications such as Dramamine. Nausea that is triggered by motion is most often an imbalance of the inner ear, which sends the message to the brain that the leveling and stability factors are off and can create nausea.

Symptoms of illnesses, such as heart attacks, severe asthma attacks, and other medical condition can include nausea. Nausea caused by illness can often be treated, although it is more effective to treat the underlying condition, if possible, to a satisfactory degree to eliminate the nausea and other symptoms.

Patients who have experienced a medical trauma, such as a surgical procedure, often experience nausea. Medications including anesthesia often prompt nausea upon waking. This type of nausea does not usually require treatment and will dissipate with time, usually just a couple of hours.

Nausea that is left untreated will not cause complications, although nausea can make daily functioning very difficult. Chronic nausea caused by medications, illnesses, and stress should be treated to relieve the stress of coping with the nausea. Nausea that lingers or chronic nausea can be very stressful for patients. Chronic nausea can lead to electrolyte imbalances and dehydration as well as weight loss and loss of appetite and over time, malnutrition.

Pregnancy can often be associated with nausea, and in some cases the nausea lasts throughout the pregnancy. This can make carrying a healthy baby to term more difficult because the mother struggles to receive adequate nutrition. Medications to relieve the nausea can help the mother receive ample nutrition during pregnancy.