Nausea is feeling like vomiting. A variety of medications are available to treat nausea, including antiemetics and antihistamines. Eating different foods or changing other eating habits can also help relieve nausea.
Has nausea many possible causes, including viruses, pregnancy and anxiety. The most effective treatment for nausea depends on its cause.
This article describes medications and home remedies for nausea.
Antiemetics are drugs that treat nausea or vomiting. The type of antiemetic that you should use will depend on the cause of these symptoms.
Several broad classes of antiemetics are useful in treating nausea:
Different eating habits and certain foods can help relieve nausea.
If someone feels nauseous on a regular basis, they can take some of the following measures Eating habits to reduce nausea:
- eat small, regular meals
- Holding on to food with a cold or warm temperature
- Rinse mouth before and after eating
- Sit upright for at least an hour after eating
- Eat in a cool room
- stick with dry foods
- Eating poultry or soy-based foods
- Avoid spicy, fatty, or fried foods
- Sticking to mild, soft foods like a poached egg on toast
- Avoid strong smelling foods
Some diets can also help reduce nausea.
For example the foods that make up the BRAT diet could help Relieve nausea as they are easily digested. These foods that give the diet its name are:
Find out more about the BRAT diet here.
However, due to the restrictive nature of the BRAT diet, a person should be careful about the number of nutrients they are consuming. This diet is not a long-term solution and people should only follow it when they feel nauseous.
If nausea persists for more than a few days while following the BRAT diet, they should see a doctor.
Some herbs can also help relieve nausea. A 2015 study suggested that ginger could be a promising treatment for nausea and vomiting. However, the researchers note that more research is needed to support these results.
Are nausea and vomiting spread while pregnancy. However, some pregnant people suffer from a serious illness known as Hyperemesis gravidarum. Those who find the disease interfering with their daily lives and causing concern may need treatment.
People need to be careful with most treatments during pregnancy, including if they feel sick, as side effects can harm them or the fetus. For example, ondansetron can prevent nausea, however, researchers do stay unsure whether it affects the fetus.
Metoclopramide is an initial treatment option for pregnant people. Antihistamines like doxylamine are also one Effective Drugs used to treat pregnancy-related nausea that do not harm the fetus.
Learn more about morning sickness and pregnancy here.
In aromatherapy, essential oils can be diffused into the air to create aromas that a person then inhales. Aromatherapy advocates suggest that it can reduce nausea.
A small 2016 study 123 participants found that inhaling peppermint oil can reduce the feeling of nausea after surgery.
A comprehensive one Review 2018 It was found that there wasn’t enough quality research to confirm aromatherapy as an effective remedy for nausea.
The research examining the antinausea properties of aromatherapy is mixed, and researchers need to conduct more robust studies to understand whether and how essential oils exert these effects.
However, some people may want to try using aromatherapy along with nausea medication to see if it makes them feel better.
Learn more about aromatherapy here.
Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine. Needles are used to apply pressure to specific parts of the body to relieve pain and relax muscles.
Acupressure is similar, but instead of using needles to stimulate points on the body, a person only applies pressure with their fingers or thumbs.
Some research suggests that acupuncture can relieve nausea. For example a Review 2013 observed that acupuncture can treat nausea and vomiting after surgery. The review found that pressure point 6 (P6 or Nei Guan) stimulation was particularly effective in reducing nausea.
If a person wants to try acupressure, they can find P6 under the wrist on the inner arm. Apply pressure with your thumb or fingers for 2-3 minutes can help someone feel less nauseous.
A. Review 2015 noted that the evidence of the effectiveness of P6 stimulation in relieving nausea is weak and more robust studies are needed.
Therefore, it is advisable to try antinausea medications or diet changes before trying this method.
Find out more about acupuncture here.
Nausea is a common problem with many possible causes. Antiemetics are drugs that can help prevent nausea.
The most suitable type of medication will depend on what is causing the nausea. For example, during pregnancy, people are limited to drugs that healthcare professionals consider safe for the fetus.
People can also try different home remedies to see if they help reduce nausea. These include eating and avoiding certain foods, adjusting the frequency of meals, aromatherapy, and acupressure.
