Exhaustion and queasiness: Root causes, signs, healing methods, and further details
Fatigue and nausea are common symptoms that can be caused by a variety of factors. While these symptoms are often associated with pregnancy, there are numerous non-pregnancy related causes to consider.
Non-Pregnancy Related Causes
Sleep deprivation, gastrointestinal disorders, side effects of medications, undiagnosed medical conditions, dietary and lifestyle factors, and neurological conditions can all lead to feelings of fatigue and nausea.
- Sleep deprivation: Lack of sleep can cause increased inflammation, affecting the digestive system and leading to nausea and fatigue.
- Gastrointestinal disorders: Conditions such as gastroenteritis, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, GERD, peptic ulcers, indigestion related to H. pylori infection or certain painkillers can cause nausea and fatigue due to chronic inflammation and discomfort.
- Side effects of medications: Certain drugs, especially antibiotics and pain medications, may cause nausea and contribute to fatigue if they interfere with appetite or induce malaise.
- Undiagnosed medical conditions: Thyroid problems, sleep disorders, and infections like urinary tract infections can manifest as fatigue and nausea.
- Dietary and lifestyle factors: Overeating, eating too quickly, high intake of fatty, spicy, or acidic foods, alcohol, smoking, and stress or anxiety can cause indigestion-related nausea and tiredness.
- Neurological conditions: Migraines, epilepsy, concussion, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, brain tumor can cause symptoms such as nausea and fatigue.
Lifestyle Factors
Fatigue and nausea can also occur due to lifestyle choices such as staying awake too late, not getting enough sleep, eating too much, eating too late at night, drinking too much alcohol, using recreational drugs, lacking physical activity, overexerting oneself, or being jet-lagged.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If symptoms persist, further medical evaluation is recommended to pinpoint the specific cause. People should see a doctor if they experience severe, persistent, or worsening episodes of fatigue and nausea, and it is important to seek immediate medical attention for fatigue and nausea that are accompanied by chest pain or pressure, difficulty breathing, slurred speech, persistent confusion, continuous or repeated vomiting, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, suicidal thoughts, or any other concerning symptoms.
Prevention and Home Remedies
Prevention strategies for fatigue and nausea may include staying hydrated, limiting alcohol and caffeine intake and avoiding either before bedtime, avoiding large meals and eating late at night, getting plenty of sleep each night, following basic personal hygiene to help prevent infections, eating a healthful diet and exercising regularly to reduce the risk of health conditions that can cause fatigue and nausea, and alleviating stress through mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, yoga or tai chi.
Home remedies for nausea may help settle an upset stomach and reduce feelings of nausea, including sipping a cold drink, drinking ginger or peppermint tea, eating foods containing ginger, eating multiple small portions, getting a lot of fresh air, finding distractions, and avoiding strong-smelling foods, spicy, fried, or greasy foods, eating too fast, drinking while eating, wearing clothing that is tight around the waist or abdomen, and lying down shortly after eating.
Home remedies for fatigue may include eating smaller meals and healthful snacks every 3-4 hours, gradually decreasing caffeine intake over the course of 3 weeks, limiting alcohol intake and avoiding alcohol before bedtime, drinking more water to prevent dehydration and associated fatigue, gradually increasing physical activity, reaching or maintaining a moderate weight, going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, avoiding daytime naps, establishing or maintaining a relaxing bedtime routine, reducing stress levels through working out, practicing yoga or tai chi, spending time with friends, receiving counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for fatigue caused by stress, anxiety, or low mood.
Outlook
The outlook for people experiencing combined fatigue and nausea depends on the underlying cause of these symptoms. In some cases, they may go away following appropriate lifestyle adjustments, such as changes in eating, sleeping, or exercise habits. However, severe, persistent, or recurrent episodes of fatigue and nausea can indicate an underlying medical condition that requires treatment.
- Dermatitis, a skin disease, can cause feelings of fatigue due to discomfort and irritation.
- Obesity can lead to type 2 diabetes, which is associated with fatigue and nausea.
- Sleep apnea, a sleep disorder, can cause fatigue and nausea due to disrupted sleep patterns.
- Psoriatic arthritis, a condition that affects the joints and skin, can cause fatigue due to joint pain and inflammation.
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) can lead to fatigue and nausea due to difficulty breathing and oxygen deprivation.
- Atopic dermatitis, a form of eczema, can cause fatigue due to discomfort and itching.
- Predictive tests may be necessary to identify underlying causes of fatigue and nausea, such as certain diseases or genetic disorders.
- Migraines, a neurological condition, can cause symptoms such as nausea and fatigue.
- Asthma can lead to fatigue due to difficulty breathing and oxygen deprivation.
- CBD (cannabidiol), a compound found in marijuana, may help alleviate symptoms of certain medical conditions, such as chronic pain or anxiety, which can contribute to fatigue and nausea.
- Poor mental health, such as depression or anxiety, can cause fatigue and nausea symptoms. Proper nutrition, fitness and exercise, and mental health care can play a crucial role in managing symptoms and improving overall health and wellness.
