Nausea is characterized by the urge to vomit and may be followed by vomiting.

Sometimes called “retching,” nausea makes your stomach feel unwell and uncomfortable. These are contractions of the stomach, possibly prior to rejection of stomach contents into the esophagus.

Nausea can be caused by illnesses:

• Gastroenteritis, which is an infection in the small intestine causing abdominal cramps and leading to possible rejection of the contents of the esophagus into the stomach can lead to nausea.
• Food poisoning can cause nausea from foods containing bacteria, parasites, or viruses that cause abdominal muscles to contract.
• A bowel obstruction (= obstruction of a segment of the intestine) that distends the intestine can cause a feeling of “too full” and the urge to vomit.
• In the case of diseases like anorexia or bulimia where vomiting can be caused intentionally, nausea appears beforehand.

Other than medical reasons can cause nausea:

• Consuming excess alcohol stimulates the gastric mucosa. It is then irritated and can lead to stomach contractions and nausea.
• In the case of motion sickness, the information transmitted to the balance management center located in the inner ear is distorted and the urge to vomit may appear.
• When a woman is pregnant, the hormone hCG produced by the placenta increases acidity in the stomach, slows down the digestive system and can lead to nausea.

Nausea can be triggered by other reasons such as migraine, myocardial infarction, meningitis, hepatitis or even a gastric ulcer. Certain medications, anxiety or unpleasant odors can also make you want to vomit.

Nausea may be followed by vomiting, and the contents of the stomach then move up into the esophagus.

They can be a source of discomfort and uneasiness when it occurs in society. Gagging may cause disgust when the sensation of gastric reflux occurs.

As a result of nausea, loss of appetite may be felt due to discomfort in the stomach.

To avoid nausea, it may be advisable, depending on the cause, to promote a diet rich in slow sugars and animal proteins.

Resting and avoiding unpleasant smells can help reduce the urge to vomit, as can getting fresh air regularly.

Natural health products such as ginger or certain medications may be recommended to treat nausea by consulting a therapist beforehand.

Finally, do not hesitate to consult a doctor if the nausea persists, in order to detect possible diseases causing nausea such as a stomach ulcer or an intestinal obstruction.