Nausea

Nausea is a feeling of stomach discomfort along with the sensation that you may vomit. Although nausea often comes before vomiting, it does not always lead to it. In addition, it is usually accompanied by vague abdominal uneasiness, dizziness, and a reduced desire to eat. Certain medications, such as opioid painkillers and chemotherapy drugs, can also trigger nausea.

• Some of the drugs like opium analgesics and chemotherapy can cause Nausea.
• If it is associated with with aversion towards food, check serum bilirubin to rule out Jaundice.
• If it is associated with stomach ache, check Amylase and Lipase.
• In case of diabetic patients, check Blood urea, Creatinine level.
• In young women, rule out pregnancy.

What is the difference between nausea and vomiting?

Nausea is an uneasiness of the stomach that often accompanies the urge to vomit, but doesn’t always lead to vomiting. Vomiting is the forcible voluntary or involuntary emptying (“throwing up”) of stomach contents through the mouth. Some triggers that may result in vomiting can come from the stomach and intestines (infection, injury, and food irritation), the inner ear (dizziness and motion sickness), and the brain (head injury, brain infections, tumors, and migraine headaches)

What causes nausea or vomiting?

The causes of nausea and vomiting are quite similar. Many things can bring on nausea. Some common causes are:

• Seasickness and other motion sicknesses
• Early pregnancy
• Intense pain
• Exposure to chemical toxins
• Emotional stress (fear)
• Gallbladder disease
• Food poisoning
• Indigestion
• Various viruses
• Certain smells or odors

The causes of vomiting differ according to age. For adults, vomiting is commonly a result of a viral infection and food poisoning, and occasionally a result of motion sickness and illnesses in which the person has a high fever. For children, it is common for vomiting to occur because of a viral infection, food poisoning, motion sickness, overeating or feeding, coughing, and illnesses in which the child has a high fever. Although rare, blocked intestines can cause vomiting, most typically in early infancy.

Usually vomiting is harmless, but it can be a sign of a more serious illness. Some examples of serious conditions that may bring on nausea or vomiting include:

• Concussions
• Encephalitis
• Meningitis
• Intestinal blockage
• Appendicitis
• Migraine headaches
• Brain tumors

Another concern with vomiting is dehydration. Adults have a lower risk of becoming dehydrated because they can usually detect the symptoms of dehydration (such as increased thirst and dry lips or mouth). Children have a greater risk of becoming dehydrated, especially if the vomiting occurs with diarrhea, because young children may often be unable to tell an adult about symptoms of dehydration. Adults caring for sick children need to be aware of these visible signs of dehydration:

• Dry lips and mouth
• Sunken eyes
• Rapid breathing or pulse

In infants, parents should look for decreased urination, and a sunken fontanelle (soft spot on top of the baby’s head).

How can you prevent nausea?

Nausea can be prevented by:

• Eating small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals
• Eating slowly
• Avoiding hard-to-digest foods
• Consuming foods that are cold or at room temperature to avoid becoming nauseated from the smell of hot or warm foods

Resting after eating and keeping your head elevated about 12 inches above your feet helps reduce nausea.

If you feel nauseated when you wake up in the morning, eat some crackers before getting out of bed or eat a high protein snack (lean meat or cheese) before going to bed. Drink liquids between (instead of during) meals, and drink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day to prevent dehydration. Try to eat when you feel less nauseated.

Treatment according to Ayurveda principle —

• Chardi Chikitsa
• Vata Anulomana
• Agni dipana
• Ruchya Oushadhas

Kashayam —

• Vilvadi kashayam
• Nayopayam Kashayam
• Bhadradi kashayam
• Chiravilvadi Kashayam
• Gandharva hastadi kashayam
• Bala Jirakadi Kashayam

Churnam —

• Ashta Churna
• Vaishvanara Churna
• Hinguvashtaka Churna

Gulika —

• Dhanvantara Gulika
• Hinguvachadi Gulika

Lehyam —

• Nayopayam lehyam
• Matulunga Rasayanam
• Maha vilvadi lehyam
• Vilvadi lehyam
• Ardraka Rasayanam

Aasavam/ Arishtam —

• Abhayarishtam
• Jirakarishtam
• Pippalyasavam

Virechanam —

• Kalyanaka Gudam
• Trivrt Lehyam

Pathya Apathya —

• Light easily digestible, non oily food.
• Buttermilk & Pomegranate juice can be given.

Reference —

Principles & Practice of Ayurvedic Clinical Medicine