Q&A for How to Fight Nausea

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What causes nausea?

Roy Nattiv, MD
Board Certified Gastroenterologist
Dr. Roy Nattiv is a Board-Certified Pediatric Gastroenterologist in Los Angeles, California. With over 20 years of experience he specializes in a broad range of pediatric gastrointestinal and nutritional illnesses such as constipation, diarrhea, reflux, food allergies, poor weight gain, SIBO, IBD, and IBS. He completed his pediatric residency at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, and his fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). While at UCSF, he was a California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) fellowship trainee and was awarded the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) Fellow to Faculty Award in Pediatric IBD Research. Dr. Nattiv received his undergrad degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his medical degree (MD) from the Sackler School of Medicine in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Roy Nattiv, MD

Board Certified Gastroenterologist

Expert Answer

Nausea is primarily a result of the stomach not functioning appropriately. Everyone has a pacemaker in their stomach, which controls how quickly or how slowly their stomach empties. When your stomach starts to empty very slowly, that can precipitate nausea or discomfort. The slowing of stomach emptying or changes in the pacemaker of your stomach can be caused by a number of different things. The number one cause is infection, like a cold or the flu. Also, medications can cause nausea. Constipation, motion sickness, and chronic illness can also result in nausea.

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Question

How do you treat cyclic vomiting syndrome naturally?

Roy Nattiv, MD
Board Certified Gastroenterologist
Dr. Roy Nattiv is a Board-Certified Pediatric Gastroenterologist in Los Angeles, California. With over 20 years of experience he specializes in a broad range of pediatric gastrointestinal and nutritional illnesses such as constipation, diarrhea, reflux, food allergies, poor weight gain, SIBO, IBD, and IBS. He completed his pediatric residency at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, and his fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). While at UCSF, he was a California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) fellowship trainee and was awarded the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) Fellow to Faculty Award in Pediatric IBD Research. Dr. Nattiv received his undergrad degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his medical degree (MD) from the Sackler School of Medicine in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Roy Nattiv, MD

Board Certified Gastroenterologist

Expert Answer

Lifestyle changes are paramount with cyclic vomiting syndrome. The mainstay of therapy is to recognize triggers, because very often people with cyclic vomiting have triggers, and keeping a diary or what they call a vomiting diary to help you identify potential triggers, like activities that you may have engaged in or things that you may have eaten or drank prior to an episode. Keeping a diary of all those things may help you identify potential triggers and avoid them in the future. Beyond lifestyle changes, staying hydrated is very important to avoid cyclic vomiting syndrome.

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Question

Taking vitamins makes me nauseous. What should I do?

Roy Nattiv, MD
Board Certified Gastroenterologist
Dr. Roy Nattiv is a Board-Certified Pediatric Gastroenterologist in Los Angeles, California. With over 20 years of experience he specializes in a broad range of pediatric gastrointestinal and nutritional illnesses such as constipation, diarrhea, reflux, food allergies, poor weight gain, SIBO, IBD, and IBS. He completed his pediatric residency at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, and his fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). While at UCSF, he was a California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) fellowship trainee and was awarded the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) Fellow to Faculty Award in Pediatric IBD Research. Dr. Nattiv received his undergrad degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his medical degree (MD) from the Sackler School of Medicine in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Roy Nattiv, MD

Board Certified Gastroenterologist

Expert Answer

It's always best to take vitamins with a meal, especially fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A, D, E, and K. That way, they will be absorbed better and cause less malabsorption or symptoms. Essentially, never take vitamins on an empty stomach. Avoid taking them just before bedtime.

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Question

Is soda good for nausea? Also, is it ok to use electronics if the brightness and volume is lowered?

Marsha Durkin, RN
Registered Nurse
Marsha Durkin is a Registered Nurse based in Waukegan, Illinois. With over 15 years of professional experience, she works both as a nurse and a Laboratory Information Specialist for Insight Hospital and Medical Center. Marsha received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Olney Central College in 1987.

Marsha Durkin, RN

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

Soda may be good for your nausea. The bubbles may help settle your stomach. Resting and not using electronics is a good idea while you are nauseous.

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Question

Why do I feel worse when I sit down?

Marsha Durkin, RN
Registered Nurse
Marsha Durkin is a Registered Nurse based in Waukegan, Illinois. With over 15 years of professional experience, she works both as a nurse and a Laboratory Information Specialist for Insight Hospital and Medical Center. Marsha received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Olney Central College in 1987.

Marsha Durkin, RN

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

Possibly because nausea can be made worse by moving around and by moving from a laying to a sitting position.

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Question

I love to drink fresh, ice-cold water. Does that help or make it worse?

Erik Kramer, DO, MPH
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Dr. Erik Kramer is a Board-Certified Primary Care Physician at the University of Colorado. With over 15 years of experience, his clinical interests include obesity and weight management, diabetes care, and preventive care, as well as embracing a holistic approach to primary care. He received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Central Maine Medical Center. Dr. Kramer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.

Erik Kramer, DO, MPH

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Expert Answer

Ice water is fine for nausea, but consume it slowly if you're at risk for vomiting. If you're dehydrated, it's best to make a replacement drink with ice water to help replace glucose and salt (sodium).

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