Nausea

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Acute episodes of nausea with vomiting could be from a life-threatening disorder. If you are experiencing acute nausea with vomiting, seek care through the emergency department.

Overview

Nausea is an unpleasant sensation of being about to vomit that can be chronic or recurrent. An interaction between the brainstem and the body causes chronic nausea. Parts of the body that may send nausea-inducing signals to the brainstem include the gut (peripheral pathways), the central nervous system (brain), the inner ear (vestibular system), and substances in the blood that are sensed by the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ).

The chemoreceptor zone (CTZ) is in the brainstem and senses toxins, drugs, hormones, and other stimuli that trigger neural pathways perceived as nausea and initiate the vomiting reflex. The receptors with related hormones in the CTZ that can cause nausea are muscarinic, dopamine, histamine, serotonin, cannabinoid, and neurokinin. The gut is commonly focused on as the pathway causing nausea; thus, the workup of nausea often starts with the gastroenterologist. The gastrointestinal tract also has receptors that estrogen and progesterone can bind, affecting acid production and bowel movement. Thus, hormone fluctuations in women can lead to gut symptoms, such as nausea. Additionally, a hormone used in weight loss medication, GLP-1 can suppress stomach emptying and lead to nausea. You deserve nausea relief—and we can help you with a custom treatment plan.

Generally women may experience more nausea and vomiting than men in their lifetime. Cyclic vomiting syndrome is more common in girls & women than in boys & men. [6] Gastroparesis is more common among women. [7] [8] [9] [10] Studies show that women are more likely to experience postoperative nausea and vomiting than men. [11] Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonist medications for weight loss cause significant nausea and vomiting in women. [12]

Nausea Causes

This is a women-centric list of causes of nausea. This list does not encompass all the causes of nausea or represent the differential diagnosis of nausea.

•  Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (e.g., cannabis use > 4 times per week)
•  Cardiac disease (i.e., women can experience nausea as a symptom of heart disease)
•  Central nervous system (e.g., emotional responses, migraine)
•  Cyclic vomiting syndrome (i.e., idiopathic recurrent vomiting disorder)
•  Endocrine disorders (e.g., high or low thyroid, high or low glucose)
•  Gastroparesis (i.e., a stomach disorder that can cause nausea and vomiting)
•  Hormone changes (e.g., pregnancy, menstruation, menopause)
•  Hypervitaminosis (i.e., too much of a vitamin A or vitamin D)
•  Infections (more likely from acute infections)
•  Over the counter medication side effects (e.g., NSAIDs)
•  Organic gut disorders (e.g., obstructions, peptic ulcer disease)
•  Post-operative nausea and vomiting (i.e., after a colonoscopy or colonoscopy recovery)
•  Psychiatric disorders (e.g., anxiety)
•  Unhealthy Alcohol Use (e.g., for ladies > 7 drinks/week, 3 drinks on any day)
•  Vestibular disorders (e.g., motion sickness, Meniere disease) 
•  Weight loss medications (e.g. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists) 

Signs & Symptoms

• A feeling of a lump at the back of the throat
• Burping
• Churning stomach
• Clammy
• Dehydration
• Dizzy and lightheaded
• Faint
• Feeling as if you are about to vomit
• Food poisoning
• Increased salivation
• Nauseous
• Period flu
• Queasy
• Stomach flu
• Sweaty palms
• Uncomfortable sensation in the back of the throat or middle of the chest
• Uneasy sensation in the stomach

GutsyRx Treatments For Nausea

GutsyRx provides treatments for nausea that address symptoms with lifestyle guidance, integrative products, personalized oral medication, and/or skin gels (i.e., for when you can’t keep anything down). Depending on your preference and gut challenges, we’ll create a compounded prescription (Rx) just for you. Lifestyle guidance for nausea relief during a consultation may include advice on stress reduction, avoiding triggers, hydration, vitamins, and/or supplements. The timeline for recovering from nausea depends on the underlying diagnosis and response to treatment. All GutsyRx products are free of allergens, dyes, preservatives and irritating FODMAPs.