Dealing With Nausea During Pregnancy
Whether you’re traveling by plane or train, or just trying to enjoy your vacation, nausea can be a very unpleasant condition to suffer through. But there are ways to deal with it and keep your trip enjoyable.
Prescription medications
Medications can help alleviate nausea during pregnancy. However, you should talk with your doctor before starting treatment. You should also check with your provider about the possible risks of untreated nausea during pregnancy. Depending on the symptoms, treatment may be needed up to three times a week.
Doctors may prescribe medicines that slow the action of the intestines or a rectal suppository. These medicines work by blocking certain chemicals that cause nausea. Some of these medicines can be given in an injection or nasal spray. Others are dissolvable tablets.
Antihistamines are a group of medicines that slow down the messages in the brain that cause nausea. They also decrease the inner ear’s sensitivity to motion.
Dopamine agonists also relieve nausea. These medicines work by blocking different chemical receptors in the brain. These drugs are commonly used to treat nausea related to chemotherapy. The drugs are not linked to birth defects.
Prochlorperazine, also called Stemetil, is another medication used to treat nausea. It’s available as a pill or as a patch. It’s also used to treat nausea that comes from migraines. It’s also used to treat nausea associated with stomach flu.
Nausea is common in pregnancy. It can be caused by certain medical conditions, such as viral gastroenteritis, as well as psychological disorders. It’s also associated with increased estrogen levels in the body.
Prochlorperazine, Stemetil, and Aprepitant work by blocking the chemical that causes nausea. They can also be combined with other antiemetic medications.
Fosaprepitant, sometimes called a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, also works by blocking the chemicals that cause nausea. It’s usually prescribed to patients who are on certain types of chemotherapy.
There are many different prescription medications available to treat nausea. You may need hospitalization if nausea becomes severe. You may also need to stay hydrated.
Pyridoxine, a vitamin B6 supplement, is also helpful for nausea. In a study, a pyridoxine supplement was more effective than a placebo. However, low levels of pyridoxine may cause nausea.
You can also try alternative herbs such as ginger, peppermint, or tea. These herbal remedies may be more effective than prescription medicines in some women.
Over-the-counter motion sickness medications
Several different types of over-the-counter motion sickness medications are available to help prevent and treat nausea. These medications can be effective for both the short-term and long-term treatment of nausea. These medications are available in both oral and topical forms.
The most common type of over-the-counter motion sickness medication used is antihistamines. These medications help prevent nausea by blocking messages sent to the part of the brain that controls nausea. Some antihistamines may also help relieve nausea caused by motion sickness.
Other types of over-the-counter motion sickness drugs include dimenhydrinate, Dramamine, and meclizine. Each drug is effective for motion sickness, but they have different side effects.
Dimenhydrinate works by blocking histamine receptors in the body. This prevents nausea from motion sickness, drowsiness, and problems with body balance. Dimenhydrinate comes in different dosage forms, including tablets, chewable tablets, and liquid. It should be taken exactly as instructed.
Meclizine is a similar antihistamine that is used to prevent and treat motion sickness. It is also marketed under the name Dramamine Less Drowsy. Meclizine works best if taken one hour before a motion sickness event.
Other prescription medications include bismuth subsalicylate and chlorpheniramine. Bismuth subsalicylate is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by stomach flu or gastroenteritis. Bismuth subsalicylate comes in both liquid and chewable tablets. Bismuth subsalicylate may also help to treat nausea caused by traveler’s diarrhea. Chlorpheniramine is effective for nausea caused by certain types of cancer.
A patch containing scopolamine, called Transderm Scop, may be applied to the back of the neck. This patch may help prevent motion sickness. The patch should be worn for several days. It should be replaced every 72 hours.
Another type of prescription drug is Promethazine. Promethazine is effective in reducing the signals sent to the brain that cause nausea. Promethazine is also effective in reducing vomiting. A high-dose (12-mg) chlorpheniramine may also reduce the risk of severe malaise.
Another prescription drug used to treat motion sickness is Pepto-Bismol. Pepto-Bismol is available in chewable tablets and oral liquid. Pepto-Bismol helps to reduce stomach acid and protects the stomach lining.
Other motion sickness medications include flavored lozenges and flavored crackers. You may also use biofeedback therapy to help alleviate motion sickness. These therapies use sensors to monitor your breathing rate, heart rate, and body temperature. You may also want to try cognitive behavioral therapy, which may help you overcome motion sickness.
Treatment for inner ear disorders
Medications for inner ear disorders and nausea can help control the symptoms. Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine and loratadine are often used to reduce the symptoms. Antiemetics may also be prescribed to control nausea and vomiting.
Inner ear infections are commonly caused by viral infections such as colds. Bacterial infections are less common. In children, about 20% of those with bacterial meningitis develop hearing problems. The symptoms of an inner ear infection include vomiting, fullness in the ear, and a spinning sensation.
Inner ear disorders can also affect balance. A doctor may perform a balance test to diagnose these conditions. The test will help rule out other conditions that could be causing the symptoms.
The inner ear contains three canals that allow fluid to move in and out of the ear. The fluid contains tiny cells that send messages to the brain, which helps the body to maintain balance.
The inner ear also contains an organ called the labyrinth. This organ contains the vestibular organs, which are responsible for balancing. When the vestibular organs become inflamed, they cause dizziness and balance problems.
Labyrinthitis is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation of the inner ear. The swelling can also cause nausea and dizziness.
In some cases, the symptoms of an inner ear infection will go away on their own. Other cases will require treatment. If your symptoms do not improve with conservative treatments, you may need to undergo aggressive treatment.
In some cases, surgery is required to treat an inner ear disorder. Surgery can be performed to relieve pressure on the inner ear or to decompress the endolymphatic sac. A procedure to decompress the endolymphatic bag may not affect your hearing, but it will relieve your symptoms.
Other surgeries include the Epley maneuver, which encourages the calcium collection to move into an area that can be reabsorbed. The procedure may also require general anesthesia and a hospital stay.
Some medications for inner ear disorders and nausea can be taken over the counter or prescribed by a doctor. In addition to medications, people may undergo physical therapy to “retrain” the brain.
Avoiding dehydration after nausea subsides
Getting hydrated can reduce the effects of nausea. Having a glass of juice or coffee can help. Waiting 30 minutes before eating can also help. The lining of your stomach can become inflamed and cause nausea.
If you are pregnant, you should be aware of how much you are drinking. Alcohol has a dehydrating effect, so you should be very careful. Alcohol can also slow your digestion and increase the acid in your stomach. You should also drink plenty of water throughout the day.
In severe cases of dehydration, a person may pass out. If a person’s condition does not improve after rehydration, they may need to be hospitalized. You may also have to provide intravenous fluids. If you need to, you can ask a nurse to recommend a dosage. You may also want to consider giving ice to relieve your dehydration headache. You can also use commercial rehydration solutions. These can be found over the counter at pharmacies. They will contain an ideal mixture of mineral salts, which will allow your body to absorb fluids better.
If a person is able to pass watery stools, they may need larger volumes of fluid. Use a fluid volume chart to determine how much fluid to give. You may also want to increase the rate of fluid administration.
If you want to know more about rehydration, you can call Info-Sante 811. The info provided is not meant to replace professional medical advice. You should always consult your doctor if you have questions about dehydration or any other medical condition.
A serious case of dehydration can be very dangerous to a pregnant woman or a newborn. It is also a common side effect of cancer and tumors. It can also be a symptom of an eating disorder. You can prevent dehydration and control your nausea by taking water breaks, eating hydrating foods, and drinking HYDRATE, an organic lemonade that contains magnesium sea minerals, ascorbic acid, and 1g of sugar from dehydrated lemon juice. This drink provides healthy hydration and also helps restore your electrolytes. Its light homemade lemonade taste makes it a great option for avoiding dehydration.
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Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
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