Feeling Nauseous

Although one cannot exactly define what is nausea, it is a common symptom observed in case of several diseases or health disorders. In simplest terms, nausea can be defined as the general unease and discomfort in the stomach which is usually followed by vomiting. However, nausea is not always followed by vomiting. There can be several reasons for a person to feel nauseous. Let us take a look at the causes of nausea in detail.

Causes of Nausea

Nausea can be classified into short-term and long-term nausea; and the causes for it vary accordingly. Short-term nausea, as the name suggests, is simply the instantaneous reaction caused due to exposure or consumption of certain things or products. There are no serious underlying causes for it. Short-term nausea can be caused due to sea sickness, eating certain products, exposure strong perfumes or even phobia of height, water, etc. On other hand, long-term nausea can be due to other problems and serious conditions. The following are some of the causes of long-term nausea.

Fibromyalgia: Similar to arthritis, fibromyalgia is a condition which causes muscle and joint pain. The pain experienced during fibromyalgia is chronic and increases by touch or movement. This disease is mostly confused with arthritis as the symptoms are more or less the same. Fibromyalgia is seen in people above 60 years of age and is more common in women than men. Nausea and dizziness are common symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Gastroenteritis: Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the stomach caused due to bacterial infection. It can be seen in people of any age group, but is prominently found in children and young adults. Food poisoning, consuming spoiled or contaminated food and water can lead to gastroenteritis. Vomiting, dehydration, diarrhea, loss of appetite and nausea are the symptoms observed when suffering from this disease.

Pregnancy: Feeling nauseous during pregnancy is very common and natural. Although a woman experiences nausea during pregnancy all day long, this condition is termed as morning sickness. The exact cause of nausea in pregnancy is unknown, however, changes in hormonal levels and increase in sensitivity to odors cause nausea in pregnant women.

Ear Infections: Nausea is also one of the classic symptoms of infection or inflammation in the middle ear. Ear infection is caused due to bacteria or virus. Along with frequent nausea, other symptoms like ear pain, bleeding in the ear, chills, vertigo, fever, etc., can also be observed. However, frequent or constant nausea is a symptoms of chronic ear infection.

Alcoholism: Alcoholism has adverse effects on the human body. Sickness and nausea are the common symptoms that are observed due to excessive intake of alcohol. On the other hand, nausea is also one of the withdrawal symptoms of alcoholism and also a side effect of alcohol detox. First timers are also very likely to suffer from heavy nausea.

Apart from these, nausea and uneasiness can also be a symptom of certain liver and gallbladder diseases, cancer, ulcer, gastritis, side effects of medications, etc. Similarly, feeling of nausea and tiredness all the time may be due to disequilibrium and insomnia. If you are feeling nauseous after eating, then there may be a possibility of disorders caused due to increased sensitivity of the gastrointestinal tract.

Treating Nausea

Constant nausea, dizziness, uneasiness and abdominal discomfort should be brought to the notice of the doctor immediately. Short-term nausea is not serious and can be treated with the help of home remedies or medication. People should identify the products that cause nausea and try to keep away from them. On the other hand, constant nausea is a cause of a serious medical condition and hence, should be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. Pregnant women should consult the doctor, who will prescribe medications to ease the discomfort caused due to constant nausea. All the aforementioned causes of nausea can be effectively treated if timely treatment is undertaken.

Nausea has a debilitating effect on people; but it can be treated with proper treatment methods. Lastly, one should remember that nausea can be prevented to a great extent if one has proper eating habits and a good lifestyle. Take care!