Nausea is a common problem with many possible causes, including viruses, pregnancy, or anxiety. Antiemetic drugs can prevent them, but the most effective treatment to stop them will depend on their cause. Thus, for example, during pregnancy, they should be limited to drugs that health professionals consider safe for the fetus.
People who suffer from this unpleasant and uncomfortable feeling can also try various home remedies to see if they help reduce nausea. These include eating and avoiding certain foods, adjusting the frequency of meals, or in some cases trying aromatherapy and acupressure.
Nausea medications
Antiemetics are medicines that treat nausea or vomiting. The appropriate type of antiemetic will depend on the cause of these symptoms.
Several classes of antiemetics are useful in treating nausea:
| Class | Action | Possible Side Effects | examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| serotonin receptor antagonists | It blocks serotonin receptors. Useful for nausea from gastrointestinal problems, medications (including cancer treatments), or operations. | Headaches, dizziness, constipation | Ondansetron, granisetron |
| antihistamines | Blocks histamine receptors. Useful for nausea due to disorientation or an operation. | Drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision. | Diphenhydramine, meclizine, promethazine |
| dopamine antagonist | It blocks dopamine receptors. Useful for nausea from migraines, gastrointestinal problems or operations. | Tiredness, dizziness, increased heart rate. | Prochlorperazine, chlorpromazine |
| Anticholinergics | Blocks muscarinic receptors. Useful for nausea due to disorientation. | Dry mouth, vision problems, drowsiness. | Scopolamine |
| neurokinin antagonists | Blocks neurokinin receptors. Useful for nausea from cancer treatment. | Headaches, dizziness, fatigue. | Aprepitant, fosaprepitant |
| Glucocorticoids | It mimics the actions of steroids in the body. Useful for nausea due to cancer treatments or operations. | Insomnia, excitement, mood swings. | Dexamethasone |
| Benzodiazepines | It stimulates GABA receptors. Useful for nausea due to cancer treatments or operations. | Drowsiness, confusion, dizziness | Lorazepam |
| cannabinoids | Activates cannabinoid receptors. Useful for nausea from cancer treatment. | Dizziness, low blood pressure, low mood | Tetrahydrocannabinol, nabilone |
Diet changes to reduce nausea
Different eating patterns and certain foods can also help relieve nausea. So, if you feel nauseated regularly, you could implement some of the following eating habits to help reduce it:
However, due to the restrictive nature of the BRAT diet, a person must be mindful of the amount of nutrients they consume. This diet is not a long-term solution and people should only follow it when they feel nauseated. If nausea lasts for more than a few days while a person is on the BRAT diet, they should contact a doctor.
Some herbs can also relieve nausea. A 2015 study suggested that ginger might be a promising treatment for nausea and vomiting. However, the researchers note that more research is needed to support these findings.
Some diets can also help reduce nausea. For example, the foods that make up the BRAT diet may help relieve nausea because they are easy to digest. These foods, which give the diet its name, are:
Anti-nausea medication for pregnancy
Nausea and vomiting are common during pregnancy. However, some pregnant people experience a serious illness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum. Those who find that the disease affects their daily life and becomes a cause for concern may need treatment.
Women should be careful with most treatments during pregnancy, including those used for nausea, as the side effects could harm them or the fetus. For example, ondansetron can prevent nausea, but researchers aren’t sure if it affects the fetus.
Metoclopramide is a first-line treatment option for pregnant people. Antihistamines such as doxylamine are also an effective medicine to treat nausea related to pregnancy and do not harm the fetus.
Aromatherapy to treat nausea
Aromatherapy can involve diffusing essential oils into the air to produce aromas that a person then inhales. Proponents of aromatherapy suggest that it can reduce nausea. A small 2016 study that included 123 participants found that inhaling peppermint oil could reduce feelings of nausea after an operation.
However, a 2018 comprehensive review noted that there is not enough quality research to confirm that aromatherapy is an effective remedy for nausea. Research investigating the anti-nausea properties of aromatherapy is mixed, and researchers need to conduct more robust studies to understand if and how essential oils exert these effects.
However, some people may want to try using aromatherapy along with anti-nausea medication to see if it helps them feel better. In any case, pregnant women should avoid this type of therapy, since the use of some oils is associated with the appearance of contractions.
Acupuncture and acupressure for nausea
Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves the use of needles to apply pressure to specific points on the body to relieve pain and relax muscles. Acupressure is similar, but instead of using needles to stimulate points on the body, a person simply applies pressure with their fingers or thumb.
Some research suggests that acupuncture might help relieve nausea. For example, a 2013 review found that acupuncture could treat nausea and vomiting after surgery. The review noted that stimulation of pressure point 6 (P6 or Nei Guan) was particularly effective in reducing nausea. If a person wants to try acupressure, they can find P6 below the wrist on the inside of the arm. Applying pressure with your thumb or fingers for 2 to 3 minutes can help someone feel less nauseated.
However, a 2015 review noted that the evidence supporting the effectiveness of P6 stimulation in relieving nausea is weak and that stronger studies are needed. Therefore, it is advisable to try anti-nausea medications or dietary changes before trying this method.
