Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of internal disorder, the causes of which are many. Vomiting refers to the forceful oral expulsion of gastric contents. The contraction of the muscles of the abdomen and diaphragm raises the pressure within the abdomen and forces out the contents of the stomach. Generally, the act of vomiting is proceeded by an unpleasant feeling of nausea with excess watering of the mouth or queasy feeling in the pit of your stomach which makes you want to throw up.
Vomiting is a common problem in infancy and early childhood Indeed, it is actually not a disease, but a common symptom of numerous diseases of childhood. The condition results from irritation of the vomiting centre in the medulla or of the mucous membrane of the stomach.
Symptoms of nausea
Vomiting may be gentle or violent Gentle vomiting may result from distension due to colic and pains in the stomach, which cease as soon as-the patient vomits. Some times, a tender child may suck too much milk. He then lies whining, is uneasy, and cannot sleep. As soon as he vomits out a little milk, he is well again and falls asleep. Similarly, older children get pain in the stomach after eating or drinking too much, and thereby vomit Vomiting for long duration, or when it is frequent or is violent, is a serious matter, requiring proper treatment.
Causes of nausea
There are many and varied causes of vomiting. It is a common manifestation of organic and functional disorders. It may be caused by acute or chronic indigestion, nervous disorders and reflex irritation. Acute systemic infections with fever, especially in young children are frequently accompanied by vomiting and often by severe diarrhea. The ailment may be caused by a throat infection, tonsillitis, if the mucosal lining of the enlarged tonsils is inflamed and anything swallowed even saliva, may irritate the nerve ending, causing nausea or actual vomiting.
Hepatitis is another cause, where, depending on the extent and seriousness of the cause, there may be slight nausea or actual persistent vomiting. Certain drugs or prescribed medications, chemotherapy, systemic infections, poisoning, travel sickness, emotional upsets or stress, are some of the other causes. Simple causes, which are not life-threatening, such as morning sickness during early pregnancy, or the sight of blood, or seeing a reptile, may be simple and easy to treat. But persistent, unprovoked vomiting needs specific investigation. Whatever the cause, it needs to be discovered and treated. Meanwhile, there is the urgent need to settle that queasy feeling and to prevent dehydration by replacing vital fluids and essential electrolytes lost.
Natural home remedies for nausea
1. Ginger with Basil
Simmer a small piece of crushed ginger and a few basil leaves in a cupful of water. Strain the mixture, add honey, and sip hot or cold, as you prefer. Drink a total of half to three-fourth of a cup at a time, but do not drink it all in one go. Helps to get relief from nausea.
2. Mint Tea
Mint tea, with two ground cloves and a trace of nutmeg is also soothing and leaves a pleasant taste in the mouth.
3. Buttermilk with Curry Leaves
An infusion of curry leaves or sipping fresh, not too sour buttermilk, seasoned with curry leaves, to which a little salt and sugar is added, is a settling, soothing, refreshing and rehydrating drink. Best home remedy to cure nausea.
4. Curry Leaf
The bark of the curry-leaf tree has many medicinal properties. Dried bark can be powdered and stored. Half a teaspoon of the bark powder, taken with cold water, helps greatly in nausea or vomiting due to bilious disorders, hepatitis, etc .
5. Ginger
Another preparation to make and store is grated fresh ginger, rolled in salt and sun-dried-the extra salt can be dusted off when dry. Just keeping a little of this concoction in the mouth, and gently chewing it, lessens the feeling of nausea.
6. Bael
Tea made with a handful of fresh, tender, crushed bael leaves, sipped half a cup at a time, 2-3 times a day, also settles the stomach. Honey, sugar, jaggery and palm candy can be added for taste. This drink is very nourishing too.
7. Beet
The juice of red beet (chukandar) is another effective remedy for vomiting due to biliousness. About half a cup of the juice with equal quantity of water may be given twice daily. Adding half a teaspoon of lime juice to this juice will increase its medicinal value.
8. Coconut Water
The tender coconut water is also an excellent remedy for vomiting. It has a soothing effect on the stomach and the condition caused by irritation of the stomach may be relieved by drinking half a cup of this water twice daily.
Useful References