If you suffer from chronic nausea, you may want to seek medical advice. There are a variety of causes, symptoms, treatments, and tests you can have done. Learn more about your options by reading on. You may also find a home remedy that you can try. Aside from medical professionals, your local pharmacist may be able to prescribe you an anti-nausea medication.
Common causes
Nausea can be caused by many different reasons, including food poisoning and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Toxins in the digestive system cause both. Generally, this condition is self-limiting as long as you drink plenty of water. However, in some cases, it’s best to seek medical help.
Aside from toxins, common causes of nausea and vomiting include too much or too little food. Viruses and bacteria can also cause it. Viral infections and foodborne bacteria can cause nausea and vomiting, as can chemotherapy. Always read the information on your medications and discuss any side effects with your doctor. Knowing if your symptoms are caused by a severe medical condition or just a passing problem is essential.
While acute nausea lasts for less than a month, chronic nausea lasts for more than a month and may be more severe than acute nausea. Chronic nausea may occur occasionally or constantly and may accompany other symptoms.
Treatments
Treatments for nausea include a variety of OTC medications that can reduce nausea and vomiting. Popular OTC choices include dimenhydrinate and meclizine. You can also try a prescription medication if you suffer from extreme nausea. Other options include 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 (HTT3) antagonists and dopamine antagonists. These medications are known to have favorable efficacy-safety profiles.
While you are experiencing nausea, it’s essential to avoid consuming too much food. If you are unsure what to eat and drink, start drinking small, regular amounts of water. Then, gradually increase your intake of food. Try to avoid spicy, high-fat, acidic, and delightful foods. In addition, a protein-dominant diet may help. Lastly, peppermint candies may also help relieve nausea.
If your nausea is severe and accompanied by pain, see a doctor. Although nausea is generally temporary, it can signify other problems. For example, certain underlying conditions, such as pancreatitis, gallstones, and kidney stones, can worsen nausea. In addition, an ulcer can cause an episode of nausea.
Tests
The first step in treating nausea is to perform a physical examination and a blood test. The results of these tests may suggest other conditions, such as kidney or liver disease, or they may point toward a bacterium that can cause nausea. For example, these tests can look for Helicobacter pylori, a type of bacteria that can cause stomach problems. They can be done with blood, stool, or breath samples. Endoscopy is another test a physician can perform to look for bacterial infection in the stomach. This test can also detect inflammation in the stomach.
Other tests for nausea include blood tests, urine tests, and ultrasound examinations. Your doctor may recommend a medication or dietary changes based on the results of these tests. Often, you’ll need to try several treatments before finding the one that works best for you.
Home remedies
Many people have found relief from nausea with home remedies. One of the most common remedies is taking chamomile, a medicinal herb that has a positive effect on the stomach and helps reduce nausea. Chamomile is also beneficial for pregnant women, as a tea made with the leaves can help soothe nausea.
Another effective home remedy for nausea is ginger. Brewing ginger tea with a teaspoon of ground ginger and a cup of boiling water will help ease the symptoms of nausea. This tea also has antispasmodic properties that can help reduce muscle spasms. This is an excellent remedy for those who are experiencing nausea and vomiting.
If you experience persistent nausea and vomiting, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor. It could signify a severe illness or a simple stomach problem. If you have an underlying condition that causes persistent nausea, it may be a sign of a more severe ailment. Some medications can also cause nausea, so it is best to talk to your doctor before taking any medications.
Prescription medications
The first step in finding the proper medication for nausea is to see your doctor. They can diagnose the cause of nausea through a complete history and physical exam. Even if your nausea is only brief, a doctor can order blood tests to determine whether your body is making the chemicals that cause nausea. They may also run tests to measure the levels of pancreatic and liver enzymes. Other tests may include an electrocardiogram or urine pregnancy test. Your doctor may also order an x-ray of your stomach. This can reveal the internal surface of the stomach and outline the intestine.
Various antiemetics may be prescribed to relieve nausea. Some of these medications are over-the-counter, while a doctor may only prescribe others. OTC antiemetics can help treat mild nausea, but doctors often recommend more potent antiemetics for severe nausea. Bismuth subsalicylate (Bis-Sal), for example, treats nausea and vomiting caused by stomach flu. It works by reducing inflammation and slowing the flow of fluids to the intestines.