In many cases, it can be useful to stop nausea and vomiting with effective means and thus bring about an immediate improvement in the condition. However, treatment with antiemetics is not always indicated, which is why the cause of the disorder should be clarified first.
What are antiemetics?
Antiemetics are a group of medications that act directly on the vomiting center, leading to rapid improvement in the case of nausea. Antiemetics are a group of drugs that act directly on the vomiting center and thus lead to a rapid improvement in the case of nausea. Their most important areas of application are chronic dizziness, migraine, motion sickness or the containment of undesirable side effects of chemotherapy. Depending on the type and severity of the underlying disease, the use of herbal or chemical antiemetics may be considered. The latter are available over-the-counter both as mild remedies for self-medication, while prescription drugs with a high active ingredient content are also available for persistent cases. Because of their specific mode of action, antiemetics are helpful only when nausea is not caused by mechanical obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract. Contraindicated is antiemetic treatment of nausea due to poisoning because vomiting in these cases is often protective and should not be prevented.
Medical application, effect and use
One of the most common causes of nausea and vomiting is motion sickness (kinetosis), as it is known as motion sickness or seasickness. It results from conflicting information that is transmitted from the sensory organs to the brain, where it is not adequately processed. Antiemetics with the active ingredient dimenhydrinate belong to the group of antihistamines, have a calming effect on the central nervous system and are also available for children in the form of chewing gum and suppositories. They should be taken about an hour before traveling to prevent nausea and vomiting from occurring in the first place. If the nausea is caused by more serious illnesses such as migraine or Meniere’s disease, the doctor may prescribe stronger antiemetics with active ingredients such as betahistine, which have a vasodilatory effect in the inner ear and thus have a positive effect on the organ of balance. Treatment with neuroleptics may be considered if the nausea is due to psychological causes. However, a sense of proportion is called for here, as the antipsychotic and antiemetic effect is countered by severe side effects. Therefore, a second medical opinion should definitely be sought before taking antiemetic neuroleptics.
Herbal, natural, and pharmaceutical antiemetics.
Those who regularly suffer from nausea and vomiting should start treatment with the gentlest remedies, relying first on herbal substances. First and foremost is ginger, which has been known for its antiemetic effects for centuries. For treatment, the freshest possible ginger root is used, which can be enjoyed as a spice or freshly brewed as a tea. Bitter substances, such as those contained in wormwood or artichokes, are also used to combat nausea. Should this treatment remain ineffective in individual cases, homeopathic remedies such as Nux vomica or Cocculus are also available for the condition. It is also worthwhile to try high-dose vitamin B, which is available in pharmacies. If treatment with chemical agents cannot be avoided, the active ingredients dimenhydrinate and diphenhydramine should be tried first. In severe cases, when persistent nausea massively impairs the quality of life, a doctor should definitely be consulted. He not only clarifies the cause beyond doubt, but also prescribes antiemetics with active ingredients such as scopolamine or metoclopramide if necessary.
Risks and side effects
In principle, the risks and side effects of drugs should not be underestimated. This also applies to the group of antiemetics. Depending on the type of active ingredient used, the undesirable effects can vary widely: they range from dry mouth, fatigue and accelerated heartbeat when using travel chewing gum to psychotic states in the case of overdose of scopolamine preparations or neuroleptics.Anxiety, sweating and physical restlessness can also be triggered by antiemetics. In any case, the stronger the active ingredient, the more carefully the benefits and risks should be weighed against each other. In any case, unclear symptoms while taking stronger antiemetics should be clarified medically.
