• Nausea is an unpleasant, queasy feeling in the throat or stomach that may result in vomiting.
• Vomiting is emptying the stomach as a result of strong gagging and retching that leads to throwing up. The stomach's contents are forcefully expelled through the mouth. Vomiting can come in waves as the natural movement (muscle contractions of the digestive system known as peristalses) is reversed, and involuntary contractions in the walls of the stomach and esophagus force the stomach contents out. Sometimes coughing or spitting up mucus from the lungs is confused with vomiting. Vomiting can only come from the stomach. Retching is the reverse movement (peristalsis) of the stomach and esophagus without vomiting. Sometimes this is called the dry heaves.
Vomiting and Nausea Causes
Nausea and vomiting are controlled by the same parts of the brain that control involuntary bodily functions. Vomiting is actually a reflex triggered by a signal from the brain.
The signal to vomit can result from several stimuli such as smells, taste, various illnesses, emotions (such as fear), pain, injury, infection, food irritation, dizziness, motion, and other changes in the body, specifically these:
o Eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia)
o Food poisoning
o Certain virus infections
o Motion sickness (car sickness, seasickness)
o Vertigo (the sensation that the room is spinning around)
o Head injuries (such as a concussion or bleeding injury)
o Gallbladder disease or appendicitis
o Migraine (a severe form of headache)
o Brain tumors
o Brain infections (such as meningitis)
o Hydrocephalus (too much fluid in the brain)
Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of some medications. Usually nausea is not an allergy (which is a severe reaction that can include skin rash or trouble breathing), but an unwanted side effect of the medicine. Some medicines such as those used in cancer treatment (chemotherapy) and strong pain killers are well known for causing nausea and vomiting.
The following are common causes of nausea and vomiting.
• Side effects of anesthesia used for surgery
• Stomach problems such as blockage (pyloric obstruction, a condition that causes forceful spitting up in infants)
• Bleeding into the stomach from different causes
• Infection, irritation, or blockage of the intestines
• Low or high body chemicals and minerals
• Presence of toxins in the body
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Alcohol from beer, wine, and liquor is turned into a chemical (acetaldehyde), which results in the sensation of nausea that is felt the next morning, known as a "hangover"
• Nausea and vomiting occur frequently in pregnancy. Morning sickness usually happens in the first few months but sometimes can last throughout the pregnancy.
The mainstay of home nausea remedies is to drink fluids. Fluid intake helps correct electrolyte imbalance, which may stop the vomiting. Drinking fluids prevents dehydration, which is the main side effect of excessive vomiting.
• Begin with small amounts, such as 4-8 ounces at a time for adults and 1 ounce or less at a time for children. Drink only clear liquids (such as clear soup broth, juice, lemon-lime).
• Avoid milk and any dairy products, which can worsen nausea and vomiting.
• After 24 hours of tolerating fluids, work your way up to soft foods, gelatin, oatmeal, yogurt, and similar soft foods. If vomiting and nausea return, switch back to liquids only.
Ginger may be used to control nausea and vomiting. Studies have shown it to be effective after surgery and for motion sickness. Ginger comes in gelatin capsules, tea candied or crystallized ginger.
Peppermint oil is reported to relax the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, and may be a natural cure to help relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting. It can be used as a tea, in capsules, or inhaled as aromatherapy.
Prescription medications are available for nausea following surgery and from chemotherapy. Talk with a health care practitioner about medications to treat motions sickness for an upcoming trip or cruise.
Source:emedicine
