Symptoms of Nausea and Throwing Up: Origins and Solutions Explored
Nausea, a common symptom that can make one feel queasy or sick to the stomach, is not always related to food poisoning or stomach flu. In fact, it can be a sign of various underlying issues affecting different systems of the body.
A wide range of factors can cause nausea. These include infections in the stomach or other organs, food allergies or reactions to certain foods, gastrointestinal disorders such as acid reflux, indigestion, ulcers, gastroparesis, or bowel obstruction, overeating or consuming fatty, greasy, spicy, acidic foods, caffeine, alcohol, or carbonated drinks, medications, pregnancy, motion sickness, inner ear disorders, neurological causes like migraines, head trauma, seizures, or increased brain pressure, metabolic or systemic conditions, and psychological factors such as anxiety, stress, depression, or trauma.
A 2021 review found that out of 6,335 people with COVID-19, nausea was experienced by some. Nausea can also be an early warning sign of a heart attack, especially in women who may experience less obvious symptoms during a heart attack.
Inner ear conditions, such as motion sickness, labyrinthitis, and vestibular neuritis, can cause dizziness or vertigo, which in turn causes nausea. Thyroid disorders, whether overactive or underactive, can also cause nausea and vomiting.
If nausea persists or keeps coming back, it is best to contact a doctor to determine the underlying cause. Mental health conditions can cause digestive symptoms, including nausea, and stress can exacerbate digestive conditions.
The United Kingdom's National Health Service suggests getting fresh air, eating small, frequent meals, staying hydrated, drinking ginger or peppermint tea, avoiding spicy or greasy foods, and relaxation techniques for general nausea relief.
Nausea can be caused by various triggers, including food poisoning or stomach flu, flu and COVID-19, digestive disorders (such as gastritis, gastroparesis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, IBS, celiac disease, gallbladder conditions, pancreas conditions), mental health conditions, inner ear conditions (such as motion sickness, labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis), and pregnancy.
People with flu can also have nausea, with children experiencing it more frequently than adults. Speak with a doctor if medications could be causing nausea. Migraines are a disorder that causes episodes of moderate-to-severe headache, along with nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms.
Gastrointestinal infections, such as those caused by food poisoning or viruses, can cause nausea, along with symptoms like stomach pain or cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea. Digestive disorders such as gastritis, gastroparesis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, IBS, celiac disease, gallbladder conditions, pancreas conditions can induce nausea, with each requiring different diagnoses and treatments.
Food poisoning occurs when a person ingests food or drink containing a virus, toxin, or bacterium, such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli. Neurological conditions, such as migraines, can cause nausea, along with other symptoms. Nausea is a common symptom during pregnancy and is often known as morning sickness, although it can occur anytime and improve after 14 weeks.
Nausea can be an emergency if it occurs alongside symptoms of a serious condition or after an injury, such as a recent head injury, severe, sudden headache, neck stiffness, fever, headache, and vomiting. In some cases, nausea can be an early warning sign of a heart attack.
- Migraines, a disorder causing episodes of severe headaches and nausea, can be a precursor to other symptoms.
- Predictive analytics might be useful in identifying the root cause of nausea, especially as it can be a sign of various underlying medical-conditions such as diabetes, depression, or hepatitis.
- Science has shown that nausea can even be a sign of diabetes, where the body struggles to regulate blood sugar levels.
- For people suffering from obesity, nausea may occur due to food not moving smoothly through the digestive system, a condition referred to as gastroparesis.
- Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disorder, is another potential cause of nausea and related symptoms like abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, addressing mental-health issues is crucial as depression, stress, or trauma can lead to persistent nausea.
- Nutrition plays a significant role in maintaining overall health, and unbalanced diets can lead to food intolerances, causing nausea after consuming certain foods.
- Apart from this, research in space-and-astronomy has shown that astronauts can experience nausea and vomiting during space travel due to the stress and physiological changes encountered in zero gravity.
- In the interest of fitness-and-exercise, it's important to listen to one's body and rest when necessary, as physical exertion can sometimes trigger bouts of nausea.
