Nausea and vomiting

From Wiki4CAM

Nausea is the sensation of having an urge to vomit. Vomiting is forcing the contents of the stomach up through the esophagus and out of the mouth. ^[1]

Contents 1 Considerations 2 Causes 3 CAM therapies for nausea and vomiting 4 Acupressure 4.1 Acupuncture 4.2 Ayurveda 4.3 Herbal remedies 4.4 Home care 4.5 Homeopathy 5 References

Considerations

Body has a few main ways to respond to an ever-changing, wide variety of invaders and irritants. Sneezing ejects the intruders from the nose, coughing from the lungs and throat, diarrhea from the intestines, and vomiting from the stomach. Vomiting is a forceful action accomplished by a fierce, downward contraction of the diaphragm. At the same time, the abdominal muscles tighten against a relaxed stomach with an open sphincter. The contents of the stomach are propelled up and out. One may have more saliva just before vomiting. Vomiting is a complex, coordinated reflex orchestrated by the vomiting center of the brain. It responds to signals coming from:

• The mouth, stomach, and intestines
• The bloodstream, which may contain medicines or infections
• The balancing systems in the ear (motion sickness)
• The brain itself, including unsettling sights, smells, or thoughts
• An amazing variety of stimuli can trigger vomiting, from migraines to kidney stones. *Sometimes, just seeing someone else vomit will start you vomiting, in your body's effort to protect you from possible exposure to the same danger.

Vomiting is common. Almost all children will vomit several times during their childhood. In most cases, it is due to a viral gastrointestinal infection. “Spitting up,” the gentle sloshing of stomach contents up and out of the mouth, sometimes with a burp, is an entirely different process. Some spitting up is normal for babies, and usually gets gradually better over time. If spitting up worsens or is more frequent, it might be reflux disease. Most of the time, nausea and vomiting do not require urgent medical attention. Dehydration is the main concern with most vomiting. How fast one becomes dehydrated depends on the size, frequency of vomiting, and whether he/she also has diarrhea. ^{[citation needed]}

Causes

The following are possible causes of vomiting:

• Viral infections
• Medications
• Seasickness or motion sickness
• Migraine headaches
• Morning sickness during pregnancy
• Food poisoning
• Food allergies
• Brain tumors
• Chemotherapy in cancer patients
• Bulimia
• Alcoholism

These are possible causes of vomiting in infants (0 - 6 months):

• Congenital pyloric stenosis, a constriction in the outlet from the stomach (the infant vomits forcefully after each feeding but otherwise appears to be healthy)
• Food allergies or milk intolerance
• Gastroenteritis (infection of the digestive tract that usually causes vomiting with diarrhea)
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• An inborn error of metabolism
• Hole in the bottle nipple may be wrong size, leading to overfeeding
• Infection, often accompanied by fever or runny nose
• Intestinal obstruction, evidenced by recurring attacks of vomiting and crying or screaming as if in great pain
• Accidentally ingesting a drug or poison

CAM therapies for nausea and vomiting

Acupressure

Acupressure has been employed to relieve the symptoms of nausea and vomiting, sometimes in conjunction with acupuncture, sometimes as a stand-alone therapy. Many practitioners prescribe acupressure bracelets, which apply pressure to certain points without the use of needles. And because the P6 point is easy to reach, many patients can be instructed to apply acupressure themselves to help reduce nausea. Mild nausea, even morning sickness, may improve by using the middle and index fingers to press firmly down on the groove between the two large tendons on the inside of the wrist that start at the base of the palm. Special wristbands to help relieve nausea are sold over the counter at many stores. When the band is worn around the wrist, it presses upon the same or similar pressure points. The bands are not expensive and are reported to work for some people. ^[2]

Acupuncture

While most acupuncture treatments are tailored to individual patients and are highly dependent on practitioner preference points, most acupuncturists and doctors of Oriental medicine appear to prefer using the P6 or Neiguan point, which is located two cun below the distal wrist crease on a patient's lower arm (A cun is a Chinese measurement equaling the width of the middle joint of the patient's thumb; two cun equals approximately the width of three fingers). Acupuncture is often used for nausea or vomiting related to chemotherapy for cancer. ^[3]

Ayurveda

Dashamula Arishta is to be taken after meales. Some Bhasmas like Mayurapicha Bhasma, Shanka Bhasma, Swarna Makshik Bhasma, Vilavadi Kashaya are also useful. Drakshadhik Vata Choorna, Talisadi Choorna can be given to relieve the vomiting. In the lehya category following may be useful: Biladi Lehya and Kasturyadi Lehya. ^[4]

Herbal remedies

There are plenty of natural remedies for nausea. One such effective remedy is ginger, which can be taken in the form of tea or capsule. Ginger has volatile oils that aid digestion, soothes the irritated linings, and tones muscles of digestive tract. Ginger also stimulates liver to produce bile which helps in fat digestion. To overcome motion sickness, the first dose of ginger should be taken about three to four hours before travel. For relief from nausea associated with chemotherapy, consult the doctor before taking ginger, as low-high blood platelet count could hinder blood clotting. Peppermint tea or oil helps in easing spasms of digestive tract, and could be beneficial for nausea that occurs due to intestinal cramping. However, peppermint tea is a better choice for nausea during pregnancy, rather than peppermint oil, as the latter has a more powerful effect.

Golden seal is another remedy for nausea, if it is not caused due to pregnancy. It can be taken in the form of tea or pill, and the herb soothes liver and stomach, apart from enhancing digestion. As for nausea in kids, Aloe Vera juice helps in combating the stomach ache that accompanies nausea. One tablespoon of the juice can be diluted in six ounces of water and given upto three times a day. Chamomile tea also helps in soothes a child suffering from nausea. One dose can be given with or in between the meals twice a day. Ginger tea is also beneficial for stomachache, nausea and vomiting in kids. For kids who dislike the flavour, it can be mixed with apple juice or with equal amounts of licorice root. ^[5]

Home care

It is important to stay hydrated. Steady, small amounts of clear liquids, such as electrolyte solutions may be helpful. Other clear liquids such as water, ginger ale, or fruit juices also work unless the vomiting is severe or it is a baby who is vomiting. For breastfed babies, breastmilk is usually best. Formula-fed babies usually need clear liquids. Drinking too much at one time is to be avoided. Stretching the stomach can make nausea and vomiting worse. Solid foods are to be avoided until there has been no vomiting for six hours. Then normal diet can be slowly taken. Most vomiting comes from mild viral illnesses.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy has different medicines for different variations of nausea and vomiting. Following are the remedies depending upon the type of nausea and vomiting.

Haematemesis, vomitus cruentus: 1, Acon., Aloe, Arn., Ars., Fer., Hyosc., Ipec., Nux v., Phos.; 2, Amm., Bell., Bry., Canth., Carb. v., Caust., Ceanothus, Chin., Hyosc., Lach., Lyc., Mez., Mill., Plumb., Puls., Sec., Sulph., Veratr.; 3, Cact., Erig., Eryng., Ham., Lycopus, Rum., Sang., Veratr. vir. Vomiting of faecal matter: (passio iliaca, ileus, chordapsus, miserere, etc.): 1, Apomorph., Bell., Nux v., Op., Sulph.; 2, Acon., Bry., Plumb., Raph., Thuj.; black matter, melaena: 1, Alum., Ars., Calc., Chin., Veratr.; 2, Ipec., Nux v., Raph., Sulph., etc.; of the ingesta: 1, Ars., Fer., Hyosc., Ipec., Nux v., Puls., Sil., Sulph.; 2, Bell., Bry., Calc., Cina, Cocc., Cupr., Dros., Graph., Kalm., Kreos., Lach., Natr. m., Phos., Rhus, Sep., Stann., Veratr.; of drinks: 1, Ars., Hyosc., Ipec., Sil., Veratr.; 2, Arn., Cina, Samb., Spong. Vomiting in consequence of passive motions, such as riding in a carriage, sailing, requires: 1, Ars., Cocc., Colch., Fer., Hyosc., Petr.; 2, Apomorph., Bell., Croc., Nux m., Sec., Sil., Staph., Sulph., Tab.

If by overloading the stomach, or by eating indigestible food: 1, Ipec., Puls.; 2, Ant., Bry., Nux v., Sulph.; 3, Ars., Bell., Fer., Rhus. Vomiting of drunkards: 1, Ars., Lach., Nux v., Op.; 2, Calc., Sulph. Vomiting of pregnant females: 1, Carbol. ac., Ipec., Nux v., Sulph.; 2, Con., Fer., Puls., Sep.; 3, Acon., Ars., Con., Kreos., Lach., Lact. ac., Magn. mur., Natr. mur., Nux m., Petr., Phos., Veratr. If caused by worms: 1, Acon., Cina, Ipec., Merc., Nux v., Puls., Sulph.; 2, Bell., Carb. v., Chin., Lach. For vomiting of bile, with bitter taste and greenish look: 1, Ars., Bell., Bry., Cham., Chion., Ipec., Merc., Nux v., Phos., Puls., Sep., Veratr.; 2, Ant., Arn., Cann., Chin., Cina, Coloc., Con., Cupr., Dros., Dulc., Ign., Lach., Lyc., Petr., Raph., Sec., Sulph.; 3, Apoc. andr., Eup. perf., Iris, Lob., Veratr. vir. If it tastes salty: Magn. carb., Puls., Sil., Sulph.

For sour-smelling and tasting vomiting: 1, Calc., Cham., Chin., Nux v., Phos., Phos. ac., Puls., Sulph.; 2, Ars., Bell., Fer., Ipec., Lyc., Sulph. ac., Tart.; 3, Cact., Iris. Vomiting of mucus: 1, Ars., Bell., Dros., Nux v., Puls., Sulph.; 2, Acon., Ant., Calc., Cham., Chin., Cina, Con., Guaiac., Hep., Hyosc., Ign., Merc., Sec., Veratr.; 3, Eup. perf., Iris, Sang. Watery vomiting: 1, Bell., Bry., Caust., Ipec.; 2, Arn., Ars., Chin., Cupr., Nux v., Puls., Sulph. Vomiting by motion: Ars., Bry., Nux v., Petr., Veratr. With diarrhoea: 1, Ars., Bell., Coloc., Cupr., Dulc., Ipec., Phos., Puls., Veratr.; 2, Apoc. andr., Iris. Worse after eating: 1, Ars., Fer., Ipec., Kreos., Nux v., Puls., Sulph., Veratr.; 2, Acon., Arn., Hyosc., Natr. m. Vomiting every morning: 1, Ars., Dros., Nux v., Veratr.; 2, Hep., Lyc., Natr. m., Sil.; at night: Ars., Chin., Fer., Nux v., Sil., Sulph. After drinking: 1, Ars., Chin., Fer., Veratr.; 2, Acon., Arn., Bry., Cham., Nux v., Puls., Sil.

Vomiting of mucus and then bile: Veratr.; of mucus and then food: Ars., Oleand.; of food and then bile: Natr. m., Phos., Zinc.; of food and then mucus: Dros., Nux v., Sel.; of food and then water: Fer., Puls.; of water and then food: Ipec., Magn., Nux v., Sulph.; bitter-salty: Sil.; bitter-sour: Tart., Ipec., Puls.; of clotted blood: Arn., Caust.; brown: Ars., Bism., Mez., Phos.; foul: Bry., Cocc., Nux v., Carb. v., Kreos.; only of solid food: Ars., Bro., Cupr., Phos., Puls., Sulph., Veratr.; only of fluids: Ars., Dulc., Merc. cor., Puls., Sil.; of cold fluid after getting warm in the stomach: Phos.; jellylike: Ipec.; yellowish: Ars., Colch., Iod.; greenish-black: Petr., Phos., Plumb.; oily: Nux v.; milky: Arn.; salty: Iod., Magn., Puls., Sep., Sil., Sulph.; foamy: Lyc., Merc. cor., Puls., Veratr.; sweetish: Calc., Kreos., Plumb.; vomiting only of water: Bism.

Continual spasmodic retching: Bar. m., Zinc.; incessant retching, with vomiting of watery fluid and cutting pain in abdomen: Ipec.; eructations like rotten eggs: Arn., Brom., Coff., Magn. mur., Magn. sulph., Petr., Sep., Stann., Val.; nausea, without vomiting: Bell.; aversion to bread during pregnancy: Sep.; vomiting of beverages: Acon., Arn., Ars., Bry., Cham., Chin., Dulc., Fer., Nux v., Puls., Sil., Veratr.; immediate vomiting and with great force: Bism.; vomiting when trying to rise: Cic.; vomiting of bile in the night, with dizziness: Sep.; nausea and vomiting when thinking of food: Sep., Dros.; when smelling food: Colch.; vomiting of drunkards: Nux v.; vomiting of faeces: Nux v., Op., Acon.; frothy vomiting, followed by vomiting of yellow matter and bile, with intermittent pulse: Veratr. alb. ^[6]

References

1. ↑ Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia Nausea and Vomiting
2. ↑ MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Nausea and acupressure
3. ↑ Acupuncture for Nausea and Vomiting
4. ↑ Vomiting Emesis
5. ↑ Herbal Remedies for Nausea
6. ↑ Lilienthal S., Homoeopathic Therapeutics