Tag Archives: nausea

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis — irritation and/or inflammation of the stomach and intestines — is a common cause for nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Other symptoms can include a low grade fever, bloating, and cramping. Lots of things can cause a bout of gastroenteritis, but the two most common culprits are viruses and bacteria. Bacterial versions can last a week or more; viral versions are mild in comparison and last just a few days. Some bacterial causes of gastroenteritis can include: E. coli, salmonella. Some viral causes of gastroenteritis can include: adenoviruses, rotaviruses, and noroviruses. In fact, the norovirus (also known as Norwalk virus … Continue reading →

First Aid for Vomiting

Call it what you will: barfing, throwing up, driving the porcelain bus, morning sickness… vomiting is no fun. Want to get technical? Vomiting is the expulsion of the stomach contents through the esophagus and out the mouth. (And sometimes the nose, too. Whee!) Why is vomiting sometimes a good thing? It can get toxins out of the body and help ease stomach discomfort. Better out than in, as they say. Why is vomiting sometimes a bad thing? It’s gross. (Okay, that’s not medically bad, but I can’t think of any illness that makes me feel worse than throwing up.) The … Continue reading →

First Aid for Nausea

Thankfully, nausea doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to throw up. Nausea is the sensation that accompanies the urge to vomit. Other feelings that may show up with nausea (feeling sick to your stomach) can include: feeling weak or sweaty and having too much saliva in your mouth. Sometimes, nausea (and vomiting) is a sign of some other illness. Common causes for nausea can include: a virus, food poisoning, stress and other mental health issues, some medications, migraines, inner ear issues, drug and/or alcohol abuse, and pregnancy. Occasional nausea can often be treated at home. Here are some things to try: … Continue reading →

Home Remedies for Nausea

The last time I was on antibiotics, I was very sensitive to sunlight. This time around, I’m having a hard time with nausea. It’s been bad enough that I actually did end up throwing up. Yuck! Everyone I’ve mentioned this to had a different remedy for me to try. A coworker gave me flat soda to drink. My mom suggested eating dry toast. A friend offered me Pepto, but after tossing my antibiotics, I didn’t want to take any more medication that might come back to haunt me. So what can you do for nausea (whether it’s related to medications … Continue reading →

Ginger: Not Just for Ale and Snaps!

Ginger has a long history in the kitchen AND in health care. Throughout Asia and Europe, the “root” has been a popular ingredient in cooking and a popular remedy for more than one ailment. Ginger isn’t actually a root, as it turns out — although we call it ginger root. The lumpy, bumpy “root” is actually a rhizome. What’s a rhizome, you ask? A rhizome is an underground stem from which plants grow. Shoots can form at the joints of the root as it grows horizontally. What can ginger do for your health? Settle your stomach. Ginger is great for … Continue reading →

The Right Tea for the Job

Tea is good for you in many ways! But there are lots of teas out there… so how do you choose the one that’s best for what’s ailing you? Alas, some teas make big claims and have small (if any) benefits. The coffee and tea aisle at the food store is full of all kinds of health remedies. And for some things, like stress, anxiety, PMS, and an upset stomach, tea can be the perfect cure. You usually don’t need to drink much — just one or two cups can relieve the problem. If you are feeling nauseated, bloated, or … Continue reading →

Let’s Talk About Morning Sickness

So what is morning sickness really like for pregnant women? It can be different for any given woman. In fact, some women don’t seem to experience it at all, while others are so affected that they are hospitalized. You may be surprised to know that many doctors consider morning sickness a sign of a normal pregnancy. It is said that it’s nature’s way of keeping a woman away from foods that are potentially harmful to a vulnerable fetus. I have a close friend who did not have morning sickness at all for her pregnancy, and even mentioned that her doctor … Continue reading →