Nausea

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Nausea

Nausea is a universal malady--everyone gets it at one time or another. And depending on the sensitivity of your stomach, it can be caused by just about anything--from the smell of a skunk to (very rarely) appendicitis.

The usual way to end nausea, of course, is to vomit. Fortunately, there are other remedies that aren't so drastic.

Drink a Maalox cocktail. "Put a few drops of spirits of peppermint into Maalox and mix it with one quart of distilled water," says Christa Farnon, M.D., associate director of Occupational Medical Services for SmithKline Beecham, a pharmaceuticals company in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Take a few sips of this to soothe your upset stomach and use the rest later, as needed.

Eat crackers. "In general, when people are slightly nauseated, if they can make themselves eat some very plain food they will feel better," says Robert M. Stern, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Pennsylvania State University in University Park and a researcher on motion sickness and nausea for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. "I recommend low-fat foods, such as crackers." Don't overdo it, though. A few crackers will ease your nausea, but too much of any food may make you feel even worse.

Exercise your mind. "Sometimes keeping busy can help people," suggests Dr. Stern. "Before they know it, the nausea passes." Play a mental game, read a book or strike up a conversation with someone to keep the nausea out of your mind.

Rest your body. Astronauts on the first space flights had few complaints about motion-induced nausea. The reason may have been that they were forced to remain still, because the area inside the capsule was so confined. Try not to move around too much, even when your stomach is doing somersaults, recommends Dr. Stern. Most important of all: Try to keep your head still.

When to See the Doctor Repeated or prolonged nausea can be a symptom of a wide range of conditions, from flu and food poisoning to intestinal disorder and tumors. "If you're nauseated and there's not an obvious reason, you should see a doctor," says Robert M. Stern, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Pennsylvania State University in University Park and a researcher on motion sickness and nausea for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. And even if you do know the reason for it--such as car sickness or seasickness--you should see a doctor if the nausea doesn't go away after a day or two. You should also see a doctor if your nausea is accompanied by fever, especially if you are elderly, according to Dr. Stern.

Say "I'll pass" on the milk. "Milk and milk products are much more difficult to digest than other foods," says Dr. Farnon. "They contain proteins and fats and create mucus. This means that they are harsher on the stomach." She advises clear liquids such as tea or juices served at room temperature, never cold, when you are trying to recover from nausea.

Try acupressure. Some people find relief from nausea--especially the kind that comes from motion sickness--by applying pressure to the inside of the wrist near the center. Those who practice acupressure believe this is the point that controls things such as nausea and vomiting, says William Grant, Ed.D., vice chairman of the Department of Family Medicine and research associate professor at the State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse.

Wrist-wrap with a Sea Band. Sea Bands, special wristbands that put pressure on the inside wrist area, were created for seasickness but are now used for other types of nausea. They can be found at boat dealers, in some sporting goods stores and in most local American Automobile Association offices.

Seek relief in nonprescription drugs. Some over-the-counter medications such as Pepto-Bismol, Maalox and Mylanta are known to help calm nauseated stomachs. It depends on the cause of nausea, doctors agree, but an irritated stomach may feel better after a couple of spoonfuls.

Don't forget Dramamine. "Some nauseated people might be helped by the anti-motion sickness drugs such as Dramamine," says Dr. Stern. Although he acknowledges that little is known about how Dramamine works to ease nausea, he suggests that you give it a try and keep this over-the-counter medication on hand if it works.

Drink flat soda. "Just open up a carbonated soft drink and let it go flat," says Dr. Grant. He recommends ginger ale, but other soft drinks work just as well. Dr. Farnon suggests the flat syrup of Coca-Cola, available in most drugstores, sipped over cracked ice when your tummy becomes queasy.