Nausea and vomiting

Although they are uncomfortable and unpleasant to experience, nausea and vomiting are natural – possibly lifesaving – reactions to eating something dangerous, or to illness. But occasionally they occur even when there is no risk to health.

What they are

Nausea is an overall uncomfortable “woozy” feeling that is sometimes described as “coming in waves”. It is often accompanied by sweating, shivering or increased saliva production. Sometimes nausea culminates in what doctors refer to as emesis – most people call it “being sick”. During this process your stomach muscles relax, and the normal rhythmic contractions that propel food through your small intestine shift into reverse, sending the contents back into the stomach. The stomach then contracts and pushes the contents upwards through the oesophagus Vomiting is valuable because it enables the body to rid itself of toxic matter – and most people feel much better afterwards.

Symptoms

  • Sweating and shivering.
  • Excessive salivation.
  • Dizziness.
  • Weakness.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Loss of appetite.

What causes them

Decaying food (which may contain harmful bacteria), illnesses such as flu, some medications (even those that are helpful in other ways, such as chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer) and too much alcohol can induce nausea and vomiting. Among other causes of these ailments are overeating or eating rich foods, strong smells (from smoke, perfume or food odours), stress and anxiety, and motion sickness.

In other cases the nerves in the stomach become confused and transmit warning signals to the brain, even when no real threat to health exists. For example, the high levels of hormones released during pregnancy are beneficial but are also thought to be the cause of morning sickness. Elevated hormone levels may be the reason why nausea is one symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

How supplements can help

When you feel nauseous and have the urge to vomit, there is almost nothing you can do to stop it. If you are suffering from food poisoning it is better not to fight this powerful reflex, because the offending food needs to be purged from your system. But when nausea persists or is the result of pregnancy, motion sickness, stress, essential drugs or strong odours, natural remedies can provide welcome relief.

Your first choice should be ginger, in capsule form or as a tea. Its restorative powers spring from its volatile oils, which enhance digestion, soothe irritated membranes and tone the muscles of the digestive tract. In addition, ginger stimulates the liver to produce bile, which helps to digest fats; this action is especially useful in cases of overeating. To combat motion sickness take your first dose of ginger three to four hours before travelling. If you are pregnant you can probably use ginger safely for morning sickness as long as you don’t take too much – check with your doctor. If you are trying to relieve the nausea caused by chemotherapy, consult your doctor; avoid ginger if your blood platelet count is low – high doses may interfere with blood clotting.

Peppermint oil or tea helps to ease spasms in digestive tract, so may be useful for nausea accompanied by intestinal cramping. Peppermint oil is fairly powerful when taken internally, so peppermint tea is probably a better choice for any nausea linked with pregnancy. If ginger and peppermint do not work (and your nausea is not caused by pregnancy) try chamomile tea, which balances digestive secretions and soothes the stomach and liver.

Supplement recommendations

DosageAdvice
Ginger200 mg extract every four hours as neededincrease dose if necessary; in an emergency take ginger in any form
Peppermint oilone enteric-coated capsule three times a dayeach capsule should contain 0,2 ml peppermint oil
Chamomile1 cup of tea up to 3 times a dayinfuse 2 teaspoons dried herb in 200 ml boiled water

What else you can do

  • To relieve nausea, lie down with a cold cloth on your forehead. Focus on your breathing to prevent yourself from thinking about how you feel.
  • Avoid exposure to strong, unpleasant odours that can trigger nausea, such as tobacco smoke, chemical preparations, cleaning supplies or perfume.
  • Do not eat for two hours after vomiting, but drink as much as you can to replenish lost fluids. (Water, juice and non-caffeinated beverages in small sips are best.) If you vomit again, suck ice cubes.

Recent findings

A review of studies assessing natural remedies for morning sickness concluded that ginger and vitamin B6 are effective, but warned that little is known about their effect on the developing baby. In doses of 25 to 50 mg a day, vitamin B6 is both safe and beneficial. Ginger is safe too, as long as you don’t overdo it. A pregnant woman should always consult her doctor before using supplements.

Facts & tips

  • Herbal teas that calm a queasy stomach can do double duty by providing much-needed fluids after vomiting. Try a tea of ginger, chamomile or peppermint; drink 3-4 cups a day. Or steep 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon in very hot water for 10 minutes, strain, then drink. Sweeten with honey, if you wish.
  • Acupressure may halt nausea in its tracks. Place your right thumb on the inside of your left forearm, about two thumb-widths from the crease of your wrist. Press firmly with your thumb for about a minute, then move your thumb half a finger-width closer to the wrist crease. Apply firm pressure for about one minute more. Repeat on the right forearm.

See your doctor:

  • If you become significantly dehydrated.
  • If you vomit blood or black grainy-looking matter.
  • If you have nausea and a temperature.
  • If you suspect that a drug is giving you nausea.
  • If morning sickness prevents you from eating properly.

REMINDER: If you have a medical condiyion, consult your doctor before taking supplements.

Reference: Practitioner´s Guide to Nutritional Supplements

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