No one likes being nauseous — feeling it is even worse than trying to remember how to spell it. We all know the feeling — the bubbling discomfort that rises into your chest and often hurts as it passes through your body. It’s usually what happens before we vomit, which is even more unpleasant.
It’s likely that you know some of the causes of nausea, like food poisoning or morning sickness, but what other things can cause it, and more importantly, how do you treat it?
What is Nausea
Firstly, nausea is the precursor to throwing up. It’s not the act of throwing up itself, it’s the unpleasant sensation before it. It’s not stomach cramps or the knots in your stomach — those are your muscles contracting — though that is definitely a symptom that goes hand-in-hand with it.
In the simplest terms, nausea is the feeling that you’re going to throw up. It’s the churning, the rising, and the unsteadiness. It’s downright unpleasant!
What Can Cause Nausea
Nausea is, unfortunately, extremely common and easy to trigger. In most cases, it’s harmless and will pass in time. Some common causes include:
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Stress or anxiety
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Motion sickness
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Pregnancy
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Phobias
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Migraine
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Food poisoning
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Viruses, such as influenza (flu) or norovirus (stomach flu)
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Gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
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Certain medications, such as hormonal contraceptives or beta-blockers
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Problems with the inner ear, such as labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis
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Thyroid disorders
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Eating disorders
Nausea can either be relieved by one of three ways: throwing up, resting, or medication and vitamins. If resting isn’t an option and you want fast relief before you lose it, then you can try the following. If your nausea lasts over 24 hours, contact your doctor.
How to Treat Nausea
In most cases, nausea passes fairly quickly. Some stomach problems though, such as food poisoning, can last a few days. If you think it will pass quickly, then get comfortable in the bathroom or in bed, have fresh and room temperature water with you, and a warm compress for your stomach.
If you’re cramping, lay on your back and bend your knees. If you’re pregnant, you can try laying on your left side. If you have heartburn, sit up against your pillows so your torso isn’t flat on the bed.
Sometimes, nausea isn’t related to stomach problems at all. If you have a migraine, lay in a dark and quiet room. A cold pack to your head or neck (depending on where the pain is centralized) can do wonders. If you haven’t already, take migraine medication and drink plenty of water (if you can keep it down).
If your nausea lasts for more than an hour or escalates to throwing up without any relief, it may be time to enlist some extra help from your doctor or from us at IV Revival. If it is serious, always consult with your doctor first!
Taking Vitamins
B vitamins are amazing for nausea when taken through an IV — after all, you don’t want to put more into your stomach right now, with the exception of water.
B vitamins protect the abdomen from distress and ensure the stomach and intestines work. One study found that increased intake of several B complex vitamins was associated with a lower risk of reflux esophagitis, a condition characterized by inflammation in the esophagus often caused by acid reflux.
There is so much more than that, too! Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, helps protect the health of the digestive system. Taking high levels of folate (B9) and B6 also were linked to lower risks of esophagus cancer and a condition called Barrett’s esophagus.
B vitamins can also help with hangovers. If that’s the cause for your nausea, give us a call. We’ll come to your house and get you set up to feel better — no judgment here!
Zinc Helps Prevent Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leaky gut syndrome can commonly cause intense bursts of nausea. Zinc helps prevent that.
But what is leaky gut syndrome? It’s not as gross as it sounds, though it certainly feels gross when it happens. In a healthy gut, the intestines are resistant to harmful substances and protect your body from them by containing them. Sometimes those harmful substances can leak through your intestinal wall and into your bloodstream. This is known as leaky gut syndrome.
Zinc is fantastic for preventing that leaky gut syndrome. A 2001 study found that zinc supplementation helped to strengthen the gut lining in patients with Crohn’s disease. Research from 2015 also suggests that zinc is able to modify the tight junctions of the intestinal lining, helping to limit leakiness.
Unfortunately, zinc isn’t the easiest for your digestive system to absorb. Fortunately, IVs are highly accessible nowadays. Our 100% mobile system sends a registered nurse to your home, so you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your home. Give us a call at 602-755-9525 or book an appointment online today.