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| Nausea, Vomiting |
Last updated: May 05, 2008 |
Signs, symptoms and indicators | Contributing risk factors | Other conditions that may be present | It can lead to... | Recommendations
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Nausea and vomiting are not diseases, but rather are symptoms of many different conditions, such as infection, food poisoning or food allergy, motion sickness, overeating, blocked intestine, illness, concussion or brain injury, appendicitis, ulcers and migraines. Nausea and vomiting can sometimes be symptoms of more serious diseases such as heart attacks, kidney or liver disorders, central nervous system disorders, brain tumors, and some forms of cancer.
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 Signs, symptoms & indicators of Nausea, Vomiting: | | | | | | Symptoms - Gas-Int - General |  Unexplained nausea
Unexplained vomiting |
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Risk factors for Nausea, Vomiting:
Nausea, Vomiting suggests the following may be present:
Nausea, Vomiting can lead to:
Recommendations for Nausea, Vomiting: | | | | | | Botanical |  Ginger Root (Zingiber officinalis) | Standard anti-nausea medications often work through the central nervous system, causing drowsiness. Ginger isn't likely to cause this reaction, however, because it acts directly on the digestive tract. In studies of women undergoing major gynecological or exploratory (laparoscopic) surgery, those who took 1 gram of ginger before the procedure experienced significantly less postoperative reaction to anesthesia and surgery - namely, nausea and vomiting - than did those who were given a placebo. Ginger also may be useful in easing the nausea that frequently follows chemotherapy treatments. |
 Chinese Thoroughwax (Bupleurum falcatum) |
Detoxification |
 Charcoal, Activated| | Sometimes, when nausea is due to infection, taking activated charcoal will bind the bacteria or viruses, carrying them out through the digestive tract, and thus reduce the nausea. |
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Diet |
Artificial Sweetener Avoidance| | Some people have experienced nausea and vomiting from exposure to Splenda (Sucralose). |
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Drug |
Conventional Drugs / Information| | Until recently, symptoms of nausea almost always were treated with promethazine (Phenergan) suppositories. Today's technology offers more choices, both commercially and through compounding.
A few OTC treatments are available that can be helpful in relieving nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine (Bonine) are perennial favorites for treating symptoms associated with motion sickness. Emetrol (consisting of dextrose, fructose, and phosphoric acid), can be effective in treating nausea.
When OTC treatments fail to provide the needed relief, a prescription medication may be more appropriate. Commercially available options include dopamine-2 antagonists such as promethazine and prochlorperazine (Compazine), as well as 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 antagonists such as ondansetron (Zofran) and granisetron (Kytril). For motion sickness, scopolamine is a highly effective anticholinergic agent. Additional options include metoclopramide, chlorpromazine, and haloperidol.
Please keep in mind that other conventionally used medications you may be taking for other purposes can cause nausea and vomiting. |
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Electrical |
Electrical Devices| | The ReliefBand® Device is a drug-free remedy which has received FDA clearance for treatment of nausea and vomiting due to pregnancy, chemotherapy, motion sickness, and as an adjunct to antiemetics for post-operative nausea. ReliefBand® Device is a class II medical device. Further information can be viewed on their home page. |
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KEY | | Weak or unproven link |  | | Strong or generally accepted link | | | Proven definite or direct link | | | May do some good | | | Likely to help | | | Highly recommended |
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