Nausea: Difference between revisions
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{{SI}} | |||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Nausea | |||
| image = [[File:3205_-_Milano,_Duomo_-_Giorgio_Bonola_-_Miracolo_di_Marco_Spagnolo_(1681)_-_Foto_Giovanni_Dall'Orto,_6-Dec-2007-cropped.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption = Depiction of a person experiencing nausea | |||
| field = [[Gastroenterology]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Stomach discomfort]], [[vomiting]] | |||
| complications = [[Dehydration]], [[electrolyte imbalance]] | |||
| onset = Sudden or gradual | |||
| duration = Short-term or chronic | |||
| causes = [[Motion sickness]], [[pregnancy]], [[gastroenteritis]], [[medication side effects]] | |||
| risks = [[Pregnancy]], [[chemotherapy]], [[anesthesia]] | |||
| diagnosis = Based on [[medical history]] and [[physical examination]] | |||
| differential = [[Gastroesophageal reflux disease]], [[peptic ulcer disease]], [[migraine]] | |||
| treatment = [[Antiemetics]], [[hydration therapy]] | |||
| medication = [[Ondansetron]], [[metoclopramide]], [[promethazine]] | |||
| frequency = Very common | |||
}} | |||
'''Nausea''' is an unsettling feeling often felt in the upper part of the [[stomach]] or the back of the throat. It's commonly paired with the urge to [[vomit]], even if actual vomiting doesn't always follow. | '''Nausea''' is an unsettling feeling often felt in the upper part of the [[stomach]] or the back of the throat. It's commonly paired with the urge to [[vomit]], even if actual vomiting doesn't always follow. | ||
[[File:Oktoberfest 2011 007 vomit drunken female.jpg|Oktoberfest_2011_007_vomit_drunken_female|Illustration depicting a person experiencing nausea and vomiting|left|thumb]] | |||
[[File:Oktoberfest 2011 007 vomit drunken female.jpg|Oktoberfest_2011_007_vomit_drunken_female|Illustration depicting a person experiencing nausea and vomiting|thumb]] | === Introduction === | ||
=== | |||
Nausea can be best described as a pervasive sense of unease and discomfort that usually precedes vomiting. While it's not usually painful per se, the sensation can be distressing and may severely hamper daily activities and quality of life. | Nausea can be best described as a pervasive sense of unease and discomfort that usually precedes vomiting. While it's not usually painful per se, the sensation can be distressing and may severely hamper daily activities and quality of life. | ||
=== Symptoms and Signs === | === Symptoms and Signs === | ||
The primary symptom of nausea is a pronounced feeling of unease or queasiness in the upper part of the stomach. This may sometimes spread to the back of the throat. | The primary symptom of nausea is a pronounced feeling of unease or queasiness in the upper part of the stomach. This may sometimes spread to the back of the throat. | ||
* Duration: Nausea can either be fleeting and acute or prolonged and chronic. Persistent nausea can particularly be debilitating. | * Duration: Nausea can either be fleeting and acute or prolonged and chronic. Persistent nausea can particularly be debilitating. | ||
* Associated Symptoms: Accompanying symptoms often include dizziness, a lightheaded feeling, dryness in the mouth, and excessive sweating (diaphoresis). As a ripple effect, prolonged nausea may lead to a loss of appetite and significant weight loss. | * Associated Symptoms: Accompanying symptoms often include dizziness, a lightheaded feeling, dryness in the mouth, and excessive sweating (diaphoresis). As a ripple effect, prolonged nausea may lead to a loss of appetite and significant weight loss. | ||
=== Causes and Risk Factors === | === Causes and Risk Factors === | ||
Nausea isn't confined to one root cause; it's rather a non-specific symptom that can result from a gamut of triggers: | Nausea isn't confined to one root cause; it's rather a non-specific symptom that can result from a gamut of triggers: | ||
* Common Causes: These include pregnancy, an adverse reaction to certain medications, food poisoning, and motion sickness. | * Common Causes: These include pregnancy, an adverse reaction to certain medications, food poisoning, and motion sickness. | ||
* Infections: Gastroenteritis or infections affecting the stomach and intestines can induce nausea. | * Infections: Gastroenteritis or infections affecting the stomach and intestines can induce nausea. | ||
| Line 23: | Line 32: | ||
* Treatment Side Effects: People undergoing chemotherapy or those administered general anesthesia can experience nausea. | * Treatment Side Effects: People undergoing chemotherapy or those administered general anesthesia can experience nausea. | ||
* Severe Illnesses: Heart attacks, diseases of the gallbladder or liver may manifest nausea as a symptom. | * Severe Illnesses: Heart attacks, diseases of the gallbladder or liver may manifest nausea as a symptom. | ||
=== Diagnosis === | === Diagnosis === | ||
Identifying the underlying cause of nausea may require a multifaceted approach: | Identifying the underlying cause of nausea may require a multifaceted approach: | ||
* Initial Assessment: A comprehensive history and physical examination can provide pivotal clues. | * Initial Assessment: A comprehensive history and physical examination can provide pivotal clues. | ||
* Laboratory Tests: Blood tests or urinalysis can be used to rule out infections or metabolic causes. | * Laboratory Tests: Blood tests or urinalysis can be used to rule out infections or metabolic causes. | ||
* Imaging: X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs can visualize any abnormalities. | * Imaging: X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs can visualize any abnormalities. | ||
* Endoscopy: In some cases, a direct visual examination of the gastrointestinal tract may be warranted. | * Endoscopy: In some cases, a direct visual examination of the gastrointestinal tract may be warranted. | ||
=== Treatment === | === Treatment === | ||
Treating nausea hinges on its root cause. Remedies can range from simple interventions to more specialized treatments: | Treating nausea hinges on its root cause. Remedies can range from simple interventions to more specialized treatments: | ||
* Over-the-Counter Medications: Drugs like Dramamine can alleviate motion sickness-induced nausea. | * Over-the-Counter Medications: Drugs like Dramamine can alleviate motion sickness-induced nausea. | ||
* Prescription Medications: Severe or persistent nausea, especially when caused by medical conditions, might necessitate stronger medications. | * Prescription Medications: Severe or persistent nausea, especially when caused by medical conditions, might necessitate stronger medications. | ||
* Natural Remedies: Ginger tea, controlled breathing, or acupressure can be beneficial for some individuals. | * Natural Remedies: Ginger tea, controlled breathing, or acupressure can be beneficial for some individuals. | ||
=== Prognosis and Management === | === Prognosis and Management === | ||
While most cases of nausea are acute and resolve quickly, chronic nausea might signal an underlying serious condition, necessitating long-term treatment or management. | While most cases of nausea are acute and resolve quickly, chronic nausea might signal an underlying serious condition, necessitating long-term treatment or management. | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
* [[Vomiting]] | * [[Vomiting]] | ||
* [[Gastroenteritis]] | * [[Gastroenteritis]] | ||
Latest revision as of 06:10, 8 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Nausea | |
|---|---|
_-_Foto_Giovanni_Dall%27Orto,_6-Dec-2007-cropped.jpg)
| |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Stomach discomfort, vomiting |
| Complications | Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance |
| Onset | Sudden or gradual |
| Duration | Short-term or chronic |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Motion sickness, pregnancy, gastroenteritis, medication side effects |
| Risks | Pregnancy, chemotherapy, anesthesia |
| Diagnosis | Based on medical history and physical examination |
| Differential diagnosis | Gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer disease, migraine |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Antiemetics, hydration therapy |
| Medication | Ondansetron, metoclopramide, promethazine |
| Prognosis | N/A |
| Frequency | Very common |
| Deaths | N/A |
Nausea is an unsettling feeling often felt in the upper part of the stomach or the back of the throat. It's commonly paired with the urge to vomit, even if actual vomiting doesn't always follow.
Introduction[edit]
Nausea can be best described as a pervasive sense of unease and discomfort that usually precedes vomiting. While it's not usually painful per se, the sensation can be distressing and may severely hamper daily activities and quality of life.
Symptoms and Signs[edit]
The primary symptom of nausea is a pronounced feeling of unease or queasiness in the upper part of the stomach. This may sometimes spread to the back of the throat.
- Duration: Nausea can either be fleeting and acute or prolonged and chronic. Persistent nausea can particularly be debilitating.
- Associated Symptoms: Accompanying symptoms often include dizziness, a lightheaded feeling, dryness in the mouth, and excessive sweating (diaphoresis). As a ripple effect, prolonged nausea may lead to a loss of appetite and significant weight loss.
Causes and Risk Factors[edit]
Nausea isn't confined to one root cause; it's rather a non-specific symptom that can result from a gamut of triggers:
- Common Causes: These include pregnancy, an adverse reaction to certain medications, food poisoning, and motion sickness.
- Infections: Gastroenteritis or infections affecting the stomach and intestines can induce nausea.
- Serious Conditions: Conditions such as migraines, appendicitis, kidney stones, and brain injuries also list nausea as a symptom.
- Treatment Side Effects: People undergoing chemotherapy or those administered general anesthesia can experience nausea.
- Severe Illnesses: Heart attacks, diseases of the gallbladder or liver may manifest nausea as a symptom.
Diagnosis[edit]
Identifying the underlying cause of nausea may require a multifaceted approach:
- Initial Assessment: A comprehensive history and physical examination can provide pivotal clues.
- Laboratory Tests: Blood tests or urinalysis can be used to rule out infections or metabolic causes.
- Imaging: X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs can visualize any abnormalities.
- Endoscopy: In some cases, a direct visual examination of the gastrointestinal tract may be warranted.
Treatment[edit]
Treating nausea hinges on its root cause. Remedies can range from simple interventions to more specialized treatments:
- Over-the-Counter Medications: Drugs like Dramamine can alleviate motion sickness-induced nausea.
- Prescription Medications: Severe or persistent nausea, especially when caused by medical conditions, might necessitate stronger medications.
- Natural Remedies: Ginger tea, controlled breathing, or acupressure can be beneficial for some individuals.
Prognosis and Management[edit]
While most cases of nausea are acute and resolve quickly, chronic nausea might signal an underlying serious condition, necessitating long-term treatment or management.
