Nausea is a feeling of discomfort in the upper stomach. It often, but not always, leads to vomiting. The causes for nausea are various, but are often not serious. This is why it is known as a non-specific symptom (meaning it has many causes). The most common causes of nausea are motion sickness, dizziness, migraine, stomach infection, food poisoning, and fainting. Nausea is also caused by chemotherapy, morning sickness during pregnancy, and almost all ingested medications (i.e. pills and liquid medications). Patients who suffer from certain mental or mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression, may also experience nausea as a side effect of these conditions.
In most nausea cases, treatment is not necessary because the nausea is not severe enough to require it. In the case that vomiting does occur, there are several methods of treatment. First, if the vomiting has caused dehydration, rehydrate the body by drinking liquids (primarily water). After the body’s water levels have been re-balanced, the patient may take an over-the-counter anti-nausea medication. Other treatments vary based on the cause of the nausea. If it is caused by pregnancy, there are medications designed for use in pregnant-patients that can be taken without causing harm to the fetus. Nausea related to motion-sickness can be treated through the use of pills or patches that contain ingredients such as scopolamine or dimenhydramine.