Nausea Herbal Supplements

Basics

Motion sickness and pregnancy are the most common causes of nausea - a feeling of dizziness usually accompanied by vomiting. Motion sickness is a normal response of a healthy individual when exposed to an environment characterized by unfamiliar motion and conflicting orientational sensory inputs. It can happen in an automobile (car sickness), a boat (sea sickness), an aircraft (air sickness), an aircraft simulator (simulator sickness), a space vehicle (space sickness), or even when using a virtual reality visor (virtual sickness or cyber sickness). Nearly 80 percent of the population has suffered at some time from motion sickness. Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is a common and frustrating problem for up to 3/4 of all pregnant women. Although this is commonly called "morning sickness," many pregnant women report nausea and vomiting throughout the day. Some researches say morning sickness can be a sign of a healthy pregnancy. However there is a dangerous condition of nausea known as 'hyperemesis gravidarum,’ which can be harmful both for the mother and the child.

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Symptoms

The general symptoms of nausea include:

Sweating
Dizziness
Pallor —sometimes leading to vomiting — while traveling by car, bus, train, ship or airplane
Fatigue

The symptoms of motion sickness usually subside either once your body adjusts to your mode of travel or shortly after the trip ends.

Prevention

The preventive measures to avoid nausea as a result of motion sickness include:

During a flight, open the air vents, loosen your clothing, use supplemental oxygen, keep your eyes on a point outside the aircraft, place your head against the seat's headrest, and avoid unnecessary head movements.
Chances of getting sick diminish while traveling during night, as one can't see the motion as well as one can in daylight hours.
If medications are necessary, they are best taken at least one hour before embarking.
Prevention is best accomplished by seeking areas of lesser movement in an interior location of a large ship or by facing forward and looking outside a ship or plane.
On a boat, stand out on deck and take in the sea breeze.
Don't over-indulge yourself in rich food and drink while traveling.
In a car, move up to the front seat and focus on the road ahead or the horizon. This will bring signals from your body and your eyes into balance.

So as to avoid nausea during pregnancy the following precautions should be taken:

Switch to smaller, more frequent meals. It can help both heartburn and nausea.
Avoid fluids at mealtime; drink fluids in between meals instead.
Choose bland foods as opposed to the heartburn prone spicier foods.
Get out of bed slowly in the morning. Keep some plain crackers or dry cereal by your bedside table to quiet nausea.
Take your prenatal vitamins later in the day.

Causes

The most general causes of nausea caused by motion sickness and pregnancy are:

Bad odors such as engine fumes, the dead fish on ice in the back of the boat, or the sardine sandwich being made in the galley can contribute to nausea.
Motion sickness is partly psychological.
Motion sickness occurs when the body is subjected to accelerations of movement in different directions or under conditions where visual contact with the actual outside horizon is lost.
Too much alcohol can interfere with the way the brain handles information about the environment and can set off motion sickness symptoms.
Some individuals seem to be naturally prone to motion sickness since childhood.
Strong correlations have been noted between nausea/vomiting of pregnancy and nausea brought on by birth control pills, suggesting a common hormonal basis for both phenomena.
The most common stimulant of nausea are the "hormones of pregnancy".

Diagnosis

A history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. The physical examination will include examination for signs of dehydration. Diagnostic tests that may be performed include: Blood tests (such as CBC or blood differential) urinalysis X-rays of the abdomen.

Dietary Guidelines

Avoid heavy meals and fatty foods before and during travel. Dry crackers may also help settle your stomach.

Home Care Suggestions

When the cause of nausea and vomiting is known, it is important to treat the underlying disorder. Whatever the cause, it is important for the person who has vomited a great deal to take in as much fluid as possible without upsetting the stomach any further. Sip clear fluids such as water, ginger ale, fruit juices, or Gatorade. Drink at intervals and gradually return back to a normal diet.

Mind/Body Considerations

Taking rest and staying away from stress is the best solution. As with all diseases and ailments rest and a stress free environment are necessary.