Feeling nauseous but don’t know what to do about it? Thankfully, there are lots of things you can do at home to feel better!

Our AFC Urgent Care Greenwood team shares some helpful ways you can battle a bout of nausea below, so keep reading.

How Does Nausea Affect My Body?

There are two centers in the brain that can trigger nausea symptoms. The first center is the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), which responds to chemical inputs from medication and hormones. This zone sends signals to the digestive system if you take a medication that causes nausea or eat an illness-inducing food. If the CTZ is affected, vomiting will likely occur after feeling nauseous.

When you feel motion sickness, you are experiencing a reaction in the area called the postrema, which occurs due to pressure and equilibrium changes that can make you feel off balance.

Common Causes of Nausea

• Motion sickness or seasickness
• Early stages of pregnancy
• Medication-induced vomiting
• Intense pain
• Emotional stress (such as fear)
• Gallbladder disease
• Food poisoning
• Infections
• Overeating
• A reaction to certain smells or odors
• Heart attack

Is It Possible to Treat Nausea at Home?

Definitely! We’ve listed some effective home remedies for nausea below.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is the duration of your naseous feelings. See your doctor or visit our AFC center if nausea has left you unable to eat or drink for more than 12 hours.

Ways to Treat Nausea

• Prop your head up and avoid lying down. When you lie flat, gastric juices may rise and increase feelings of nausea and overall discomfort—especially if you have acid reflux or GERD.
• Try ginger. Eating ginger or drinking ginger tea are some of the most popular, effective ways to treat feelings of nausea. The reason is that experts believe ginger contains compounds that work in a similar way to anti-nausea medications.
• Turn to lemons. Lemons contain citric acid, a naturally-occurring compound thought to aid digestion and soothe the stomach. Try adding freshly-squeezed lemon juice to water and sip throughout the day.
• Try OTC antiemetic medication, like Dramamine or Pepto-Bismol. Antiemetic medications are anti-nausea drugs that can help to reduce feelings of nausea or vomiting.

Do you have further questions about nausea? If so, don’t hesitate to reach out to our AFC Urgent Care Greenwood team today!