Having a nausea during pregnancy or menstrual period, from drinking too much alcohol, coffee, taking antibiotics, name it is one of the worst mood killers. It can also get too severe that it kills your productivity at work if not make you unable to report at work. This article will not all discuss common causes but also highlight how to get rid of nausea at home.
Why Do I Feel Nauseous? – What Causes Nausea
Nausea is the result of physiological changes in the body associated with the following factors:
- Sun poisoning
- Sinus drainage
- Anxiety
- Alcohol: After a night of drinking it is common to get a hangover that is often characterized by a nauseate feeling.
- Drinking excess or very strong coffee
- Side-effects of certain medications e.g. NSAIDs (painkillers), antibiotics etc.
- Birth control pills
- Pregnancy: It is common to get morning sickness while pregnant.
- Menstruation periods: This is the result of hormonal fluctuations.
- Infections: Nausea may be the result of viral e.g. stomach flu as well as bacterial infections.
- Some perfume fragrances.
- Medical conditions such as gastritis, kidney stones, acid reflux
- Jet lag: If you have ever felt nauseated after travelling on a plane, then you might have experienced a jet lag. Related to jet lag, motion sickness can also lead to a nauseous feeling.
- Use of certain herbal remedies such as kratom
- Quitting smoking
- Riding a roller coaster
- Vigorous activities and exercises such as running, weight lifting etc.
- Taking high doses of zinc supplements
How to Get Rid Of Nausea after Drinking Too Much Alcohol
You drank a few too many and now you have a killer nausea and other symptoms of hangover such as dizziness, splitting headaches, stomach upset etc. You are not alone. Many people go through this after a night of drinking.
According to the NHS Choices, alcohol is a diuretic. This means that when consumed, it deprives your body of its fluids leading to dehydration. Nausea and other symptoms associated with drinking too much alcohol are caused by the dehydration.
According to Columbia University, alcohol irritates the stomach lining, simulate higher secretion of gastric acids in the stomach, and lead to triglycerides buildup in the liver. These factors contribute to the nauseous feeling from drinking too much.
If you are looking to know how to cure nausea the morning after drinking excess alcohol, there is one fact that you need to know. There is truly no cure for hangover but you can control the nausea and other symptoms using the following home remedies:
Rehydrate and Rehydrate, Then Rehydrate Some More
Rehydrating the body is the best way to stop the nauseous feeling and other symptoms of hangover after a night of drinking.
This not only helps to restore the fluids lost from your body but also dilute natural chemicals (congeners) often added in alcoholic beverages. These impurities can worsen the hangover symptoms.
It is in fact advisable to drink at least half a liter of water before you go to bed, then continue sipping water throughout the night.
If you forgot to drink water the previous night – and while drinking – and now have terrible nausea and other symptoms of hangover to show for it, it is still not too late to gulp down water. It will take your hangover treatment efforts a long way.
Other than water, juice and other non-fizzy drinks can also help to return the lost body fluids and thus get rid of nausea faster after drinking too much alcohol. Bland drinks the likes of soda water, isotonic drinks (e.g. lucozade) etc. can also help to restore body fluids.
Avoid Caffeinated Beverages
Since coffee is a stimulant, some people claim that it can help you get started after a hangover. According to the Health Line website however, caffeine will only dehydrate you more and make your body tremble more as well as increase the nausea.
Choose Your Painkillers Wisely
Taking some painkiller medications is recommended for alleviation of the splitting headaches that usually develop after drinking overnight. Most people however make one grave mistake when buying the painkillers; they go for aspirin.
Aspirin can irritate the stomach even more not to mention worsen the nauseated, sickly feeling, says the NHS Choices website. The Health Line website also suggests staying away from acetaminophen (Tylenol) since it slows the rate of alcohol metabolism in your body. It can also cause damage to your liver.
Instead, the NHS Choice recommends taking Paracetamol-based medications. According to the Health Line website, ibuprofen also make a good choice for pain relieving medications. They are easily available in most pharmacies.
Break Some Eggs
Eggs are among the best foods to get rid of hangover symptoms such as nausea. They are rich in cysteine, an amino acid that helps to break down the harmful toxins built up in your system after a night of drinking. That way you will feel less nauseated and more energized.
Going overboard with fat or grease when preparing the eggs can however be counterproductive and make the nausea worse.
Eat a Banana, Pretzels, or Kiwi Fruits
When drinking, you lose lots of potassium and other essential salts and minerals from the body. When the body is low in potassium, you get nausea and tiredness among other symptoms.
Bananas are rich in potassium and will thus help replenish and rejuvenate your body. They also help to soothe the stomach while providing you with essential energy in the form of carbohydrates.
Kiwi fruits are also a great source of potassium. As for pretzels, they are rich in salt and taking bananas alongside bananas is particularly helpful.
Sip a Cup of Ginger Tea
Ginger is another great home remedy for nausea, vomiting, and stomach disturbances associated with excess drinking and other factors. Below are two guidelines on how to stop feeling nauseous after drinking too much alcohol:
- Chop a fresh ginger root into thin slices.
- Add them to 4 cups of water and then bring it to a boil for 10 minutes.
- Strain the ginger out, then mix the juice with ½ cup of honey and the juice from half a lemon and half an orange.
- Sip the resulting sweet mixture right away.
- Repeat several times for the best post-drinking nausea relieving action.
Chewing small pieces of ginger throughout the day can also help to get rid of nausea.
Peppermint
Studies have also shown peppermint to be an effective remedy for nausea due to drinking too much alcohol and other causative factors. It can also relieve the often accompanying stomach upset. Peppermint is touted to help fasten the detoxification process while aiding in faster digestion. Below is how treat nausea naturally using this herbal remedy:
- Get some fresh peppermint leaves and chew them gradually in the course of the day.
- You can also steep 1 teaspoon dried peppermint leaves for 15 minutes and then strain to make a cup of tea. Enjoy the cup and prepare and take some more as necessary in the course of the day.
- You may also find peppermint flavored gums such as Tic-Tacs helpful for nausea and other symptoms of hangover. Avoid taking too much of these since they are sugary and can make things worse if not taken in moderation.
Avoid Very Hot Showers
You wake up in the morning getting late for work or class, hit the shower, and after a quick hot shower, you end up feeling more nauseous than you did before. Why is it so?
According to savethestudent.org, although a long shower goes a long way in rejuvenating your energy-devoid body, very hot showers will only do the opposite. The excess heat will go to your head and increase nausea. So take a cold or warm shower, and if you can open the windows for some fresh air.
Other Tips to Get Rid Of Nausea and Other Symptoms from Drinking Too Much Alcohol
- Take a bowl of bouillon soup. This comes in handy in replacing the lost vitamins and minerals while getting you rejuvenated. It is especially helpful if your stomach s very irritated and you don’t feel like taking anything solid. A bowl of whole grain cereals is also helpful. Some people will also wear to the effectiveness of honey sandwiches.
- Don’t go back to drinking. “Hair of the dog”, “kutoa lock”. These are just of the terms used to refer to the habit of waking up to some alcohol as a way to relieve nausea and other symptoms. If thinking about it, don’t. It doesn’t actually help matters. It is like postponing a problem at the risk of getting it later, probably stronger.
How to Get Rid Of Nausea during Pregnancy
Nausea and vomiting are common problems during pregnancy especially the first trimester. The collective term “morning sickness” is typically used to refer to them.
For pregnant women whether or not they will get nauseated is not as much relevant as the question, “when does nausea start during pregnancy?” Nausea and other symptoms of pregnancy begin at about week six. The symptoms last up to about 14 weeks. This can however vary from one person to another.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, up to 70 percent of women experience nausea and other pregnancy symptoms when pregnant.
Nausea and vomiting tend to strike early morning since you have had a chance to eat something, hence the term morning sickness, but you can get the nauseated feeling at any time of the day. This may be triggered by certain smells.
Nausea is indicative of a healthy pregnancy and is nothing to worry about, but can be relieved with the following home remedies:
Take Ginger
Ginger is among the best home remedies to get rid of nausea while pregnant. Also according to the NHS choices website, there has not been any reported cases of adverse effects of ginger to pregnant women.
As regards how to treat nausea with ginger, there are several options to consider:
- Ginger supplements: As the NHS Choices website reports, some preliminary studies have shown ginger supplements to be effective in making nausea and vomiting go away. Some pharmacies and supermarkets stock ginger supplements; start your search there.
- Ginger biscuits can also help to relieve nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
- Ginger ale is another great home remedy for nauseous felling during pregnancy but the Baby Center suggests paying special attention to ensure that the ginger ale product of your choice is manufactured using real ginger.
- Ginger tea is also a nice natural way to go about combating pregnancy nausea. Grate a small piece of fresh ginger root and then boil it in a cup of water. Drink a cup every now and then and that nauseous feeling will so be cleared.
Stop the Nausea with Peppermint
Like ginger, peppermint has a strong aroma that helps to fight the nauseated feel and vomiting associated with early pregnancy. You can either make peppermint tea by steeping dry peppermint leaves or take some peppermint-flavored candies or gums.
Watch Your Eating Habits
An empty stomach worsens nausea and other pregnancy symptoms. It is not just about what you eat but also the intervals at which you eat. Here are useful dietary tips to observe when pregnant:
- Eat small meals frequently throughout the day as opposed to three large meals most people are used to.
- Avoid of fatty, sweet, and spicy foods and instead eat foods that are loaded with proteins and complex carbohydrates e.g. bread, pasta, rice. Fresh vegetables are also recommended. Eat your meals slowly as you are likely to feel nauseated when your stomach gets full quickly.
- Start your day with a cracker. The Baby Center recommends having them by your bedside and nibbling one or a few 30 minutes or so before you rise up in the morning. If you as well feel nauseous at night, take one and it will help you get the much needed relief.
- The NHS Choices recommends eating cold as opposed to hot meals since the latter tends to give out more of their aroma which can then trigger nausea.
- If you suspect any particular food or smell makes you nauseated, do away with it.
- Sip lots of fluids gradually in between meals including water, carbonated beverages, lemonades, sports drinks, etc.
Pay Attention to Your Body Movements
How you treat your body during pregnancy will determine whether you help stop nausea and vomiting or worsen them. Here are some beneficial considerations:
- Don’t go to sleep or lie down immediately – more so on your left side of your body – after you are through eating. This slows down the rate of digestion, which may then make nausea more severe.
- Rather than shoot out of bed in the morning or after a midday rest, rise up slowly, taking a couple minutes to sit down by the bedside.
- Avoid tight clothes, especially those that tighten you around the waist.
Make Yourself Forget About It
This sounds like a bizarre suggestion for a pregnancy nausea remedy but when it comes to nausea, nothing makes it more powerful than thinking about it. Think of any way to distract yourself from paying attention to the sickly feeling e.g. chatting with friends, playing a game, etc. and you will notice a huge difference.
Ace Your Dental Hygiene
When it comes to pregnancy, dental hygiene becomes ever more important. Nothing will dilute your nausea-fighting effort more than uncared for teeth and gum. Brush your teeth every time you are done eating. You should also floss and rinse your mouth with a mouthwash frequently.
Get Lots of Fresh Air
When it comes to pregnancy and vomiting during nausea, lack of fresh air is a big no-no. Keep the windows open and ensure that your house is well ventilated. If you have a fan, consider running it often. It also helps to walk about in fresh air outside.
Give Yourself Adequate Rest
Lying down frequently as your body needs is one of the easiest yet most effective natural remedies for morning sickness.
Turn to the Medication Cabinet for Solution
If none of the above home remedies for nausea during pregnancy are helping to keep the problem at bay, you may want to talk to your doctor or health care provider about taking some nausea medications.
It is also possible that too much iron is responsible for increasing nausea. Your doctor or healthcare provider may consider switching to another prenatal vitamin supplements.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, vitamin B-6 supplements have been shown to reduce nausea when pregnant. Talk to your healthcare provider about this option.
References
- American Pregnancy Association: Nausea During Pregnancy
- Baby Center: Morning sickness: Causes, concerns, treatments
- edu: Suddenly, Drinking Alcohol Makes Me Sick!
- com: 10 Hangover Remedies: What Works?
- Health Line: The Truth About Hangover Cures: What Works
- Medical Daily: The Hangover Cure: 6 Best Ways To Feel Like A Person Again, Backed By Research
- NHS Choices: Hangover Cures
- NHS Choices: Nausea And Morning Sickness
- org: 23 Hangover Cures that Work
