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Home Remedies For Nausea By Dr. Rajeev Singh

Introduction:  

Do you ever feel sick to your stomach, as if you are about to throw up? If yes, you might have been feeling nauseated.  

Nausea is the discomforting sensation with an inclination to vomit. Everyone experiences nausea from time to time because of multiple reasons. Nausea is not a disease but rather a symptom. It can be a symptom of many health problems and is usually not serious. You can take simple measures to get relief from nausea. You can use certain herbs and remedies to take care of nausea.1,2  

However, if the condition does not improve using home remedies, reach out to your healthcare provider. It is important to find out the underlying cause of your symptoms before managing them properly.  

What Causes Nausea: 

Nausea is a symptom which can be caused due to 

Also, if you feel nauseated after eating something, it could be due to gastritis (stomach inflammation). If you feel nauseous one to eight hours after eating, it could be due to food poisoning.1 Pregnant women often feel nauseated in the first trimester of the pregnancy, which may continue for some time.    

Also Read: Natural Home Remedies for Food Poisoning

Symptoms of Nausea: 

Nausea may be accompanied with or without vomiting. The symptoms of nausea include  

Also Read: Doctor-Approved Home Remedies For Vertigo

Home Remedies for Nausea: 

Here are some herbal remedies that can use to relieve nausea.  

1. Chamomile    

Chamomile is a prominent medicinal herb mentioned in traditional texts. Chamomile shows a positive effect on the stomach. As per research, chamomile could reduce nausea and vomiting in pregnant women.4  To make chamomile tea, boil some chamomile tea leaves in water. Strain the tea in a cup when brewed for some time. You can also add some honey for taste.  Sipping on this tea may help relieve nausea. 

2. Mint    

Mint or peppermint is a herb often used to flavour foods and other products. Mint has gastric relaxant properties. Mint helps relax the stomach muscles, thereby relieving nausea and vomiting. Mint also helps calm the mind. Aromatherapy with mint may also help with nausea by exerting positive psychological effects.  In a study conducted by Haddadi et al., mint leaves extract could reduce nausea in breast cancer patients. Similar activity was observed in pregnant women as well as in a separate study conducted by Abdolhosseini et al.4  You can use fresh mint leaves to brew peppermint tea. Boil some fresh mint leaves in water. Turn off the heat, and let it steep before straining the tea into a cup. Sipping on this warm peppermint tea may help relieve nausea symptoms.  

4. Ginger    

Ginger is a popular herbal remedy used for various conditions because of its minimal side effects. Ginger contains phytochemicals that may show anti-vomiting effects by relaxing stomach contractions. Trials showed ginger could reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women.4 You can add ginger to your food or take ginger lemon tea to relieve nausea. To make ginger lemon tea, you need to boil fresh ginger in water for some time. Turn off the heat and let it stay for a while. Squeeze in some lemon juice and your ginger lemon tea is ready to drink. You can also add some honey for taste.  

5. Cardamom  

Cardamom, scientifically known as Elletaria cardamomum, is known as the spice queen. Cardamom is used as an effective remedy for a range of stomach conditions. Cardamom helps relieve nausea by relaxing the stomach walls. Cardamom aromatherapy may be used to relieve pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.4 There are several ways to use cardamom for nausea;  

6. Clove  

Clove is a commonly used aromatic herb found in every Indian kitchen. Also known as Lavanaga or Laung in Hindi, Clove may be an effective remedy for nausea. To use clove for nausea, you can take some clove powder and mix it with some honey to make a paste. You can lick this paste to relieve nausea. You can also chew on some cloves to get the benefits.5 You can add clove to your herbal teas to alleviate nausea. 

7. Greater galanjan  

Greater galanjan, known as kulanjana in Hindi, may be a herbal remedy for digestive issues and nausea. Ayurveda offers greater galanjan as a remedy for all digestive disorders causing nausea. You can keep a small piece of greater galanjan in your mouth and chew it to relieve nausea.5 

Here are some lifestyle changes to help relieve nausea.  

8. Hydrate yourself  

Taking small sips of water when you feel nauseous is an effective way to get rid of it. You can also try cold or frozen drinks to help you feel better. Drinking plenty of water may help you prevent dehydration caused by vomiting.1,2  

9. Eat bland foods  

You should eat bland foods and dishes to relieve nausea. Try to stay away from spicy, fatty or salty food. You can nibble on some crackers to help you feel better. Other bland foods include curd, muffins, toast, potatoes and rice.1,2,6  

10. Eat smaller but frequent meals    

Incorporating six to eight small meals throughout the day instead of eating three large meals will help cope with nausea. Apart from this, avoid skipping meals as an empty stomach may worsen your nausea. Try including bland snacks, such as biscuits, sandwiches and clear soups.1,6  

Though some studies show the benefits of these herbs and home remedies for nausea, these are insufficient. Therefore, there is a need for large-scale human studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of these home remedies on human health. Thus, these should only be taken cautiously and never as a substitute for medical treatment.  

Important thing about nausea is if you are vomiting without nausea, consult a neurologist as it might be a sign of brain problems

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Also Read: How to Make Yourself Throw Up: Necessary Techniques and Precautions

When to Seek Medical Help:  

In most cases, nausea does not lead to anything serious. However, you should reach out to your healthcare provider if you experience nausea for more than 2 days or if you experience the following signs.1  

Nausea can also be a symptom of some heart problem1; if you experience the symptoms mentioned below, you should seek immediate medical help. 

For children, you should reach out to your provider immediately   

If you face difficulty managing your morning sickness, consult with your doctor immediately.1  

You must not rely on home remedies alone to treat nausea. Instead, you should consult a qualified doctor for advice on the condition if the symptoms do not improve with home remedies.   

Drinking lots of clear fluids and eating small healthy meals can help control nausea especially if it is associated with repeated episodes of vomiting.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.

Conclusion: 

Nausea is a common symptom that many people experience at some point in their lives. In most cases, nausea does not lead to anything serious but can be highly discomforting. It is important to know the underlying cause of nausea as it can occur for many reasons. There are many herbs you can use to relieve nausea symptoms. Herbs like cardamom, clove, mint, ginger, and chamomile are some natural ways to get rid of nausea. However, if your condition fails to improve after using home remedies and nausea persists for more than a day, you need to reach out to your healthcare provider.    

Also Read: Best Home Remedies For Hangover

Frequently Asked Questions: 

What are the home remedies for nausea?  

You can use natural remedies for nausea like cardamom, clove, ginger, chamomile, and mint to take care of nausea. However, if your nausea does not improve with these home remedies, you need to reach out to your healthcare provider. In addition, you should not rely solely on home remedies to get rid of your symptoms.   

Can I use water to cure nausea?  

Yes, you can try drinking small sips of water to relieve nausea. You can also try cold or frozen water to make you feel better. Drinking plenty of water can help you prevent dehydration due to vomiting. 

What foods to eat if you feel nauseated?  

You should involve bland foods in your diet to relieve nausea. Try to avoid spicy, fatty or salty foods. Some examples of bland foods include toasts, muffins, potatoes, and rice. Consult with your healthcare provider or doctor if your symptoms don’t improve with these steps.   

What to avoid if you experience nausea?  

You need to avoid some particular types of foods if you are feeling nauseous.  
Avoid foods with strong smells 
Avoid carbonated drinks, caffeine, and alcohol 
Avoid spicy and fried foods 
Avoid processed foods such as pastries, doughnuts, white bread, burgers, sausages, chips, and canned food items6  

You need to avoid some particular types of foods if you are feeling nauseous.  

References  

1. Healthdirect. Nausea [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jul 7]. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/nausea 

2. MedlinePlus. Nausea. Vomiting [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jul 7]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/nauseaandvomiting.html 

3. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Nausea [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jul 7]. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/nausea 

4. Ahmadi F, Yazdandoust Y. Use of medicinal herbs in the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: A systematic review. Journal of Advanced Pharmacy Education & Research [Internet]. 2020;10(S1):102–5. Available from: https://japer.in/storage/models/article/IFPmcur9e6o2zIOltNvT2Y1xRozxVntPGTW1vXcP3qyuNDDXMuJzaryVVlWv/use-of-medicinal-herbs-in-the-treatment-of-nausea-and-vomiting-in-pregnancy-a-systematic-review.pdf 

5. Ayush Division. Ayurveda offering Herbal healing. Available from: https://www.esic.nic.in/attachments/publicationfile/7d11b02e5abb4717d53b4ce05efabd21.pdf 

6. When you have nausea and vomiting: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jul 7]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000122.htm 

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

6

Travel Sickness – Can I Prevent It?

Travel sickness, Motion sickness, seasickness, car sickness”¦ many names but the same outcome.

What Causes Travel sickness?

The most accepted theory is that of sensory conflict. It is a disturbance of the inner ear that is caused by repeated motion. It’s when your vestibular system tells you one thing, and the other senses tell you another. This creates a conflict, leading the vestibular system to become confused and over-active. When this happens, the body tries to make things right, leading to Travel sickness.

Travel sickness can affect even the most regular travellers. Anyone can suffer from an episode of motion sickness; however, some people have a higher threshold than others. Travel sickness is known to commonly affect children between the ages of 2 to 12 years, pregnant women and those suffering from migraine. Research also shows travel sickness is linked to a genetic factor.    

Symptoms Of Travel Sickness

Travel sickness often triggers nausea and vomiting – the two most common conditions associated with it. However, travel sickness is not just limited to nausea and vomiting but may include sweating, pallor, headaches and drowsiness. In some cases, people feel dizzy and experience rapid breathing.

Tips To Beat Travel Sickness

While it may be impossible to prevent all cases of Travel sickness, here are a few tips that will help to lessen the intensity.  

For example, while travelling in the car, putting yourself behind the wheel makes you less prone to travel sickness as the brain uses its motor commands to control the car and can predict the motion. However, if you ride as a passenger, try sitting on the front seat and looking at the horizon, which confers a sense of greater control than riding in the back. If you get stuck in the back seat, try getting involved in conversation and distraction to alleviate the anxiety of not being in control of the situation. If possible, open a vent or a source of fresh air and avoid reading.

Curb the consumption of food, drinks and alcohol before and during your travel. Avoid foods that make you feel unusually full or have strong odours, that are heavy, spicy, or fat-rich as these may worsen symptoms of nausea or travel sickness in some people.  

Try choosing a seat where you will experience the least motion. For example, the middle of an aeroplane over the wing or in the lower level cabins near the centre of a ship. Distance yourself from others who may be suffering from motion sickness. Hearing them talk about motion sickness or seeing others become ill can possibly make you feel ill yourself. Face the direction of your travel.

For some people, lying down relieves their symptoms, for some others standing up works best. Depending on your type of travel, experiment with what works best for you. If travelling in a vehicle, leaning your head against the headrest can reduce the head movements.  

Talk yourself out of travel sickness. Use affirmative sentences and learn breathing techniques to help achieve this.  

Along with the ones mentioned in the blog , deep breathing and not using AC will help in reducing the symptoms of motion sickness

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Some studies support the use of ginger as having a preventive effect on Travel sickness. Peppermint tea is known to reduce nausea. Consider sipping on some tea before your travel or store it in a flask so you could use it during your travel.  

If the above self-care measures don’t work, the other options are medications at your local drug store or through a doctor’s prescription. Try taking OTC antihistamine drugs. However, it’s not just what you take but when you take that’s important. These medicines are useful when taken correctly which means 30 mins to an hour before you start your travel so that it has a chance to work and get absorbed in your system. It should be noted that antihistamines are known to cause drowsiness. Consult your doctor before consuming any medication.  

For children feeling motion sickness, offer sips of water and very light snacks if required while travelling. Avoid milk or milk-based food preparations for at least one hour before the travel to minimise chances of feeling motion sick.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.

Also Read: How to Make Yourself Throw Up: Necessary Techniques and Precautions

If you are on a cruise, move towards the bow and don’t stand near the stern. It helps in disengaging your inner ear from your visual stimulus. Try sitting in the front seat instead of the rear seat. It is said that being seated in the front helps in relieving symptoms of motion sickness.  

Keeping your eyes fixed on a stationary item placed at a distance is another technique that helps in disconnecting your visual sense from your inner ear that causes the sickness.  

Prevent your mind from constantly thinking about how sick you feel. Instead, distract yourself by focusing on your favourite music or talk about things that bring comfort to you. Motion sickness is highly associated with psychological reasons and doing things that let you relax can help with your nausea.  

Motion sickness can cause difficulty in texting or grasping visual elements that are on your screen. Constantly being on your phone can aggravate the symptoms instead of alleviating them.

Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients, and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.

 

3

5 Best Home Remedies For Nausea

In this article, today we will discuss common problems faced by most people at some point in time or the other in their lives, which is Nausea. It is interesting to know that the origin of this word comes from the Latin word for seasickness and the Greek word for sailor. In the early days, long before any home remedies were introduced or any antibiotics, nausea was always indicated towards people’s feelings when sailing on the sea for a long period. Interesting isn’t it!

Let’s take a look at some common causes, symptoms and 5 age-old home remedies which you can easily apply to cure nausea.

What is Nausea and Causes of Nausea?

We all have gone through this feeling. Well, nausea is nothing but an awful sensation you feel like you are going to vomit. There is no specific reason for suffering from nausea; it can happen during pregnancy. Morning sickness is a very common cause for getting a feel of nausea.

Apart from this, many people suffer from motion sickness like travelling in a bus or car for a long period, rough ride or nervousness while the plane taking off which can give you a sense of nausea. Few more reasons could be food poisoning, excess alcohol or medication. Sometimes, the brain also sends signals that can cause nausea like stress, emotional disturbance, etc.

Did You Know?

  • Isabgol can help lower cholesterol levels and improve heart health. source: heart.org
  • Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for 1 in every 4 deaths. source: cdc.gov
  • Isabgol can aid in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms. source: crohnscolitisfoundation.org
  • Psyllium husk can aid in weight management. source: FDC
  • Psyllium husk can help control blood sugar levels. source: FDC

Symptoms of Nausea:

Usually, the symptoms are difficult to make other people understand. It gives you an uncomfortable feeling in the chest, abdomen or throat. Listing down a few of the more symptoms:

1. Go for Ginger:

Ginger is undoubtedly the most reliable home remedy for nausea. From a scientific point of view, ginger has been studied for antiemetic abilities, which can help control the feeling of nausea. Take a small of ginger and keep chewing it slowly. This way, you are letting the juice of the ginger release in your system slowly and gradually. One can also try consuming ginger candy or ginger tea (without milk). Make sure, you do not overdo ginger and have only approx. 1 gm of ginger a day.

2. Eat small mildly flavored food:

It is better to avoid spicy and oily food when you are feeling nauseated. One should follow a recommended thumb rule diet for recovering from nausea: BRAT diet which includes Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. For Indians, we can replace apple sauce with curd and enjoy curd rice. Toast can be beneficial for pregnant women who suffer from morning sickness. Avoid sulfur-rich and fibrous foods till your nausea subsides.

3. Slurp on Lemons:

Lemons can do wonders when it comes to that weird feeling of vomit. Lemon juice released in your body contains neutralizing acids called citric acid which forms bicarbonate compounds that can help relieve nausea. One of the studies in 2014 has confirmed that smelling lemon oils can help prevent the feeling of vomiting in pregnant women. In place of lemon oil, you can either slurp the half lemon slowly or keeping sniffing it or add few drops of lemon juice and salt to warm water and keep sipping slowly and gradually. 

4. Sniff on Peppermint Oil:

Peppermint aromatherapy has been shown useful to treat 75% of nausea cases, as confirmed by one of the studies. It was shown to treat nausea after chemotherapy or after anaesthesia. You can opt for peppermint capsules or sip on peppermint tea to reap these benefits. You can also get peppermint fresh leaves or essential oil to sniff and help relieve nausea.

5. Focus On Your Breathing:

Sometimes, the simple solution to cure nausea could be just shifting your focus to something else. Meditation or deep breathing can help do that and may help relieve nausea. Medication has always been a go-to technique especially when you feel stressed or anxious. Try to sit upright; do not close your eyes as that might give you a giddy feeling. Now, breathe in slowly through your nose, hold it for 2 to 3 seconds and then release it. Repeat the process for few more times. You will find the difference.

Mostly the feeling of nausea is temporary, but it can be managed with the correct approach. These home remedies should help you, but in case it lasts for more than a day, we advise you to consult the doctor and combine your home remedy with the suited antibiotics.

6. Vitamin B6 Supplement

Vitamin B6 is often used as a supplement and an alternative treatment for pregnant women for those who prefer to avoid anti-nausea medications. Many studies have shown that Vitamin B6 supplements, also known as pyridoxine, have successfully reduced nausea during pregnancy. As compared to anti-nausea medication, many healthcare experts focus on administering Vitamin B6 supplements as a first-line treatment against mild nausea. Vitamin B6 doses up to 200 mg per day are rendered safe with no side effects for women who are expecting.

7. Water

This goes without saying that water is the remedy for a hoard of physical problems, nausea being one of them. Dehydration worsens nausea. If nausea is also accompanied by vomiting, enriching your body to replace lost fluids with electrolyte-rich drinks like vegetable or chicken broth, soups, sports drinks or mineral water is a great home remedy to get rid of nausea.

8. Acupressure

Acupressure and Acupuncture are used in traditional Chinese home remedies to treat nausea. Acupuncture uses thin needles that are inserted into specific points on the body. On the other hand, Acupressure aims to stimulate the same points of the body but uses pressure instead of needles to do so. Both of these techniques stimulate nerve fibres which transmit signals to the brain and spinal cord. These signals are known to have the ability to decrease nausea and vomiting.

Read more about: Isabgol (Psyllium Husk): Uses, Benefits & Side Effects.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

Are There Any New Symptoms Of Coronavirus?

The world is still in the grip of the COVID-19 health crisis. A pandemic that had countries imposing emergency self-isolation or rigorous lockdown is not going to go away very soon. 

Countries like New Zealand and Singapore that have always invested a large percentage of GDP in healthcare responded immediately with massive border restrictions, wide-scale testing, and contact tracing can today report a flattened curve with high recovery rates. But the picture looks grim for other countries.

Unlock 1.0 in India

The lockdown in India had to be lifted and travel restrictions eased to bolster a slumping economy. This has once again escalated transmission rates. At this moment, it is crucial for us to be familiar with all the symptoms of this disease so that we can take prompt action to protect ourselves.

Traditional symptoms of COVID-19

Like with all diseases, only when you know the symptoms of an illness, will you be able to take the right action at the right time. COVID-19 virus has an incubation period of 12-14 days. This means, within 2 weeks of exposure, you might experience-

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Are there any new symptoms of coronavirus?

There is no clear evidence that the virus has mutated to become more dangerous and produce newer symptoms in humans. That usually happens when a virus or bacteria needs to immunize itself against a vaccine or medicine. For coronavirus, there is no mutation so far. 

However, there are some less common symptoms of coronavirus that not many people know of. Unless they do, they might not seek medical help. The symptoms are –

Preventing COVID-19

Preventive measures are still our best chances of halting the progress of the disease. We have to consciously adopt a few measures to keep our families and ourselves safe-

1. Wear A Mask 

Masks are indispensable. Wear one whenever you go out, for shopping or work. Wash it when you come home. Make sure you always wear your own mask and it has to be dry.

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2. Disinfect everything

Wash your grocery and food packets under running water. Sanitize your phone. When you enter your home, wash your bag, shoes, clothes and give yourself a shower.

3. Sanitize your work station

If you are going back to your office, sanitize your desk and equipment. Use alcohol-based sanitizer after touching elevator buttons, toilet flush, washroom door, office phone or photocopy machine, etc. Don’t go to work if you show signs of COVID-19.

While the initial symptoms remains same between the variants of covid an important study revealed that after effects of covid are linked to some variants ie. neurological symptoms like brain fog, persistent headaches and fatigue were linked with patients infected during the alpha and delta variants.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

4. Bring your own lunch

Do not eat at your office cafeteria. Bring your own lunch and have it at your desk.

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5. No physical contact

No matter whom you meet, an old friend or a close family member, do not hug them. Do not shake hands.

6. Follow guidelines

If you are travelling by bus, airline or train, undergo thermal screening. If you are visiting malls or doctors’ clinics, allow the personnel to disinfect you.

COVID-19 is here to stay for the time being. However, with the active cooperation of every citizen, we can slow it down until there is light at the end of the tunnel in the form of a vaccine. Till then, follow precautions strictly to stay safe!