Understanding Nausea During Withdrawal
Nausea is a frequent symptom of withdrawal from various substances, including alcohol, opioids, and stimulants. It occurs as your body adjusts to the absence of the substance it has grown dependent on. Sometimes vomiting occurs. Understanding the cause of your nausea can help in managing it more effectively.
Practical Tips to Manage Withdrawal Nausea and Vomiting
1. Stay Hydrated
– Dehydration can worsen nausea. Sip on water, herbal teas, or electrolyte solutions to stay hydrated.
2. Eat Small, Frequent Meals
– Eating smaller, more frequent meals can prevent your stomach from becoming too full, which can trigger nausea. Opt for bland foods like toast, crackers, or rice.
3. Ginger and Peppermint
– Both ginger and peppermint have natural anti-nausea properties. Try ginger tea, ginger ale (with real ginger), or peppermint tea.
4. Avoid Strong Smells
– Strong odors can trigger nausea. Avoid cooking strong-smelling foods and use unscented personal care products.
5. Get Fresh Air
– Sometimes, a bit of fresh air can help alleviate nausea. Take short walks outside or open windows to let in fresh air.
6. Practice Relaxation Techniques
– Stress and anxiety can exacerbate nausea. Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation can help calm your mind and body.
Can Detox Cause Nausea?
Detoxification, commonly referred to as detox, is a crucial first step in overcoming substance dependence, but it often comes with challenging withdrawal symptoms, including nausea. This occurs as your body adjusts to the absence of alcohol or drugs it has become reliant on. Nausea during detox can vary in intensity depending on factors such as the type of substance, duration of use, and individual health conditions. At Oceanfront Recovery, we understand the discomfort associated with detox and offer comprehensive support to help manage these symptoms. Our professional medical team is committed to ensuring a safe and more comfortable detox experience, utilizing evidence-based treatments and compassionate care to guide you through this critical stage of recovery.
How To Tell If Nausea Is From Anxiety?
Nausea caused by anxiety often coincides with other anxiety symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, and a sense of impending doom or panic. Unlike nausea from physical illnesses, anxiety-induced nausea can come on suddenly, especially during or after stressful situations or sudden changes. It may also be accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms like a tight or “knotted” feeling in the stomach. Understanding the context and presence of these additional anxiety symptoms can help differentiate whether nausea is due to anxiety or another underlying condition.
When to Seek Professional Medical Help
Although nausea and vomiting are normal parts of withdrawal, if nausea or vomiting symptoms continue, they may indicate another underlying condition like pregnancy, food poisoning, or migraines. A family doctor may help if they notice withdrawal symptoms have not ended a week or so into it and rule out other causes. Vomiting repeatedly can hurt the stomach and esophagus. It is good to try things that may ease the nausea and make it easier to handle symptoms.
Nausea during withdrawal is common, but it can sometimes signal a more serious issue. Seek medical attention if you experience:
- Severe vomiting that leads to dehydration
- Blood in vomit
- Inability to keep any fluids down
- Severe abdominal pain
Who We Are
Oceanfront Recovery is a drug and alcohol rehab center in Orange County, California. Our addiction center provides a long-term path to sobriety with the support of our in-house specialists.
Oceanfront Recovery
312 Broadway St STE 202
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
