Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms that occur due to various reasons. Some of the most common causes of nausea include:

- Morning sickness during pregnancy. Nausea and vomiting are experienced by around 70-80% of pregnant women, especially during the initial few months. The changes in hormone levels are responsible for causing morning sickness.

- Motion sickness. Feeling nauseated when traveling in vehicles like boats, buses, or airplanes is known as motion sickness. It occurs due to the conflict between visual motion and fluid movement in the inner ear.

- Gastrointestinal infections. Various infections affecting the stomach and intestines like food poisoning, gastroenteritis etc. can trigger nausea. Bacterial or viral infections in the digestive tract release toxins causing nausea.

- Chemotherapy. Strong chemotherapy drugs administered to treat cancer often cause side effects like nausea. The anti-cancer medications enter the bloodstream and affect various parts of the body including the brain stem and gastrointestinal tract.

- Head injuries. Mild or severe head injuries sometimes lead to post-concussion nausea as the brain and surrounding tissues get inflamed.

- Withdrawal from alcohol or narcotic pain relievers. Abrupt discontinuation of chronic use of substances like alcohol, opioids etc. can induce severe nausea and vomiting.

Over-the-Counter Nausea Medicines

For mild to moderate nausea, over-the-counter medications provide effective relief. Some of the commonly used OTC antinausea drugs include:

- Dramamine. This is an antihistamine medication that works by blocking the histamine receptors in the brain to prevent nausea. It comes in tablets as well as less drowsy formulations.

- Ginger. In the form of ginger ale, ginger candies, ginger tea or capsules, ginger has been proven to alleviate motion sickness and morning sickness nausea. It acts by stimulating digestive enzymes.

- Pepto-Bismol. This antacid suspension contains bismuth subsalicylate that coats and soothes the stomach lining reducing nausea. However, it should not be used by individuals allergic to aspirin.

- Bonine. Similar to Dramamine, it contains an antihistamine called meclizine which is effective against motion sickness nausea when taken 1 hour before travel.

Prescription Nausea Medicines

For severe cases of nausea or when OTC drugs provide inadequate relief, prescription medications are used. Some important prescription antinausea drugs include:

- Ondansetron (Zofran). Available in tablets, oral dissolving tablets and injection forms, ondansetron selectively blocks serotonin receptors in the gastrointestinal tract and brain to prevent nausea and vomiting. It is very effective against chemo-induced nausea.

- Granisetron (Kytril). Another antinausea medication, granisetron acts by blocking serotonin 5-HT3 receptors. It comes as oral tablets and intravenous formulations used to control nausea post-surgery or caused due to chemotherapy.

- Promethazine (Phenergan). An antihistamine like Dramamine, promethazine is prescribed for nausea of various causes including motion sickness. It exists as oral tablets, suppositories and injection that provide fast relief.

- Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine). Just like the OTC formulation, prescription dimenhydrinate is used to treat nausea triggered by motion, seasickness or inner ear disorders by blocking histamine signals in the vomiting center.

- Scopolamine patches. These transdermal patches containing scopolamine release the medication continuously through the skin to prevent motion sickness for up to 3 days. Placed behind the ear, they work centrally in the brain.

- Metoclopramide (Reglan). By stimulating dopamine and serotonin receptors in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract, metoclopramide promotes digestive motility and reduces nausea. It is available as tablets and injections.

When to See a Doctor

While most cases of nausea resolve with home remedies and OTC/ nausea medicines, it is necessary to consult a healthcare provider in the following situations:

- Nausea persisting for more than 2-3 days without any obvious underlying cause
- Repeated forceful vomiting, especially in small children or elderly individuals
- Appearance of blood in vomitus
- Abdominal swelling or severe abdominal pain along with nausea
- Inability to keep down any oral intake causing dehydration
- Nausea when pregnant along with other concerning symptoms
- New onset of nausea when on medications for other illnesses

A prompt medical evaluation rules out any serious conditions requiring specific management. Timely treatment prevents complications and speeds up recovery. In some cases, further diagnostic tests may be needed to identify the exact cause of persistent nausea.

Overall, both non-prescription and prescription anti-nausea medicines effectively treat nausea of various causes when taken as directed. However, it is best to consult a doctor for selecting the appropriate medication based on individual health conditions and symptoms.

Priya Pandey is a dynamic and passionate editor with over three years of expertise in content editing and proofreading. Holding a bachelor's degree in biotechnology, Priya has a knack for making the content engaging. Her diverse portfolio includes editing documents across different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. Priya's meticulous attention to detail and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset in the world of content creation and refinement.

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