Overview
Nausea is the feeling of unease and discomfort in the stomach, chest and back of the throat that can lead to an urge to vomit. Nausea is pretty common and usually goes away on its own. It is rarely serious, though very unpleasant, especially when it becomes chronic. It often goes hand in hand with vomiting, but not always; vomiting is almost always preceded by nausea, but you can be nauseous without throwing up.
It is a non-specific symptom which can occur in many different circumstances.
In this article we’ll take a look at what may be the cause of nausea and what remedies exist to help relieve this feeling.
Nausea symptoms
Nausea is not painful but can be extremely unpleasant. It’s a subjective sensation from the upper digestive tract, associated with the urge to vomit.
The symptoms of nausea are very clear and easily recognizable. Apart from vomiting and dizziness they can include:
- Excessive sweating;
- Chills;
- Increased salivation;
- Diarrhea;
- Abdominal cramps;
- Fever;
- Bloating (especially during gastroenteritis);
- Weakness and general fatigue;
- Loss of appetite.
Duration of symptoms
It really depends on the cause, but generally it can last between a few minutes to several days at a time.
What can cause nausea?
Nausea can reveal many different pathologies. Depending on the case, they may or may not be accompanied by vomiting.
- The most frequent cause is an infectious pathology such as gastroenteritis or food poisoning. In this case, vomiting serves to evacuate the infectious agent (bacteria, virus or parasite);
- A bowel obstruction that distends the bowel can cause a feeling of “fullness” and the urge to vomit;
- Food allergy or intolerance are other possible causes, as is overeating that leads to indigestion;
- Migraines;
- Some much rarer causes are medical emergencies: appendicitis, hepatic colic attack or ingestion of a dangerous product. In this case, nausea is accompanied by other signs such as fever or severe abdominal pain. A medical consultation is necessary.
- Chemotherapy and radiotherapy;
- Pregnancy: the hCG hormone produced by the placenta increases acidity in the stomach, slows down the digestive system and can lead to nausea;
- Reaction to certain aesthetic products before and after surgery;
- Myocardial infarction, meningitis, hepatitis or gastric ulcer;
- Unpleasant odors can trigger nausea;
- Consuming alcohol in excess stimulates the gastric mucosa, leading to irritation;
- Motion sickness;
- Menopause;
- Certain medication: antibiotics, cancer treatments, etc.
- Anxiety, stage fright or stress.
