Feeling nauseous is the worst, and it seems to always happen at the worst time.

Nausea can stem from a variety of causes. Some people are highly sensitive to motion or to certain foods, medications or the effects of medical conditions. All these things can cause nausea.

Our AFC Urgent Care Chapman Highway team highlights what to know about nausea and when you should be concerned about it below, so keep reading!

• Here’s what to do: Know the common causes of nausea first. The most common causes of nausea are acid reflux, a stomach infection or virus, sensitivity to a new medication, motion sickness, pregnancy and diet. If you start to feel nauseous, trace back and go over what might have caused this feeling.
• What to do next: Try your best to treat it at home. Nausea can usually be adequately treated without medical attention, and we’ve listed some effective treatment tactics in our next few steps.
• What to do after: 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.
• Another treatment tactic: Eat or drink ginger. Consuming ginger is one of the most popular, effective ways to treat feelings of nausea. Experts believe ginger contains compounds that work in a similar way to anti-nausea medications.
• Something else to try: 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.
• If you don’t want to try natural remedies: Try OTC antiemetic medication, like Dramamine. Antiemetic medications are anti-nausea drugs that can help to reduce feelings of nausea or vomiting.
• Action steps to take: See your doctor or visit our AFC center if nausea has left you unable to eat or drink for more than 12 hours. You should also see a physician if your nausea doesn’t subside within 24 hours of trying over-the-counter interventions.
• Doctor recommendations: Nausea is very preventable! Stay hydrated, consider eating small, frequent meals, avoid intense physical activity after meals and avoid spicy, high-fat or greasy foods. All of these things can lower your risk of dealing with nausea and potential vomiting.

Have additional questions or concerns about nausea? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our AFC Urgent Care Chapman Highway team today!