While short-term nausea and vomiting are generally harmless, they may sometimes indicate a more serious condition, such as coeliac disease. When associated with prolonged vomiting, it may lead to dehydration and/or dangerous electrolyte imbalances.
Symptomatic treatment for nausea and vomiting may include small portions of solid food. This is usually not easy, as nausea is nearly always associated with loss of appetite. If the patient is dehydrated, rehydration with oral or intravenous electrolyte solutions may be required. Ingesting crushed ice has also proven effective. If the cause of the nausea is motion sickness, sitting down in a still environment may also help.
There are several types of antiemetics, and researchers continue to look for more effective treatments. The main types used post-operatively for surgical patients are ondansetron, dexamethasone, promethazine, dimenhydrinate and (in small doses) droperidol. Doxylamine is the drug of choice in pregnancy-related nausea. When ingested or inhaled, marijuana has been shown to reduce nausea in the majority of users. The antidepressant Mirtazapine has anti-emetic effects as well. Also available are a variety of non-invasive (but often untested) mechanical devices for suppressing nausea induced by motion sickness.
The spices ginger and peppermint have been used for centuries as traditional remedies for nausea, and recent research has validated these remedies. Also, citron fruit was once widely considered to relieve nausea.
Bismuth is another common remedy, and is contained in several over the counter stomach medications, notably Pepto-Bismol.
Further Reading
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