Do you often feel nauseated, yet nothing comes out? Retching is a condition that is not limited to pregnant ladies alone. It prepares your body to vomit through reversing how content in the stomach and food pipe move. Retching is also known as dry heaving. It is an uncomfortable situation that is caused by different factors.
This condition can occur from the brain transmitting signals to the stomach to clear contents in it even when the stomach is empty. During retching, your abdominal walls and the diaphragm contract as the stomach expands. This is what triggers contents in the stomach to move upward.
If your stomach is empty, the body continues undergoing these motions causing retching. Our discussion today will help you find out more regarding dry heaves including how you can control the condition.
What causes dry heaving?
Pregnancy is a factor that causes dry heaving. This condition is also associated with both vomiting and sometimes nausea. The fluctuation of hormones in pregnant ladies and anatomic changes are presumed to be the causes of retching and nausea during pregnancy.
Some gastrointestinal conditions such as Crohn’s diseases and gastritis also cause retching. Some people also experience this condition out of indigestion. It makes the acids in the stomach find their way back to the esophagus causing a painful and uncomfortable situation.
Stomach infections and food allergies can also increase the risk of retching. Severe pain that is caused by migraines and light sensitivity can affect the movement of contents in the abdomen. Studies reveal that migraines go hand in hand with cyclic vomiting syndrome.
Remedies to reducing retching
Take a lot of fluids
The lack of sufficient fluids in your system is a possible cause of dry heaving. Your body may cause an imbalance in fluids which can affect the movement of contents in your stomach. Therefore, you can regulate this by taking different fluids often.
Dry heaving causes dehydration which strains your body organs. It makes the body produce minimal mucus making organs such as the heart and kidneys to function harder than they should. Stressing critical organs in the body can cause a shutdown.
Therefore, take the right amount of water to assist your body organs function accordingly. Sports drinks also contain electrolytes which are useful in regulating fluid imbalance in the body. Sometimes, retching leaves an unpleasant taste in the mouth. This can make taking plain water difficult. In this case, try to hydrate through healthy fluids such as mint tea or apple juice.
Consume ginger
Ginger is an aromatic herb that can minimize retching and nausea. Instead of adding it to food, you can try chewing dried ginger in small pieces. Remember, to brush your teeth since it emits a strong scent. You can also look for cardamom herb.
Take some candy
Retching can also come from low blood sugar levels. This should tell you that your body is deprived of particular nutrients necessary for it to function accordingly. You can raise low blood sugar by taking candy. A balanced sugar level improves your attention span and prevents you from dry heaving. It ensures that your brain receives sufficient glucose for natural circulation of oxygen to the blood.
Get bland foods
Dry foods that may be tasteless can reduce the sensitivity of your palate thus minimizing retching. They can also eliminate any foul taste in the mouth. Choose bland foods that are not spicy. They should not have high fiber content, and they should be soft. Some of the best bland foods include rice water, soup, eggs, custard, and toast.
Do not chew when your mouth is open
Avoid swallowing excess air since it makes it easy to experience dry heaves. Avoid using straws while taking fluids since they make you swallow more air than you should. Use a cup instead of a bottle when taking fluids. Also, ensure that you don’t take foods that contain a lot of air. This could be in the form of carbonated beverages. Ice creams and omelets also have a high content of the air.
Avoid taking caffeine
Caffeine happens to be a strong stimulant that activates the gastrointestinal tract. If you consume a lot of caffeine, you are likely to experience retching. Stay away from substances that contain caffeine content such as tea, coffee, and chocolate.
You can reduce the stimulation of your gastrointestinal system by taking cold drinks and foods. For instance, take frozen yogurt or a cold soda. Place ice chips on your tongue and allow them to melt in your mouth.
Watch the kind of medicines you are using
Some forms of medicines especially those used to treat panic attacks can cause retching. Taking drugs such as Klonopin in high doses can lead to constant dry heaves as well as addiction. Get Klonopin addiction treatment from professionals if you are dependent on the drug. You can also talk to a doctor to switch the medication if you are experiencing nausea and retching.
If your cause of dry heaves is a food allergy, the doctor can prescribe medicines such as antihistamines to help you cope with pain and decrease dehydration. You can also use nausea drugs such as Bonine to settle the foods in the stomach and keep you away from dry heaves.
Consider acupuncture
If you are pregnant and experiencing dry heaves, acupuncture will help. It stimulates particular points in your body necessary for the restoration of balance. This also relaxes your gastrointestinal tract and reduces retching. You should also use relaxation techniques such as meditation to relieve anxiety. Stay
Away from retching triggers
Bad smells are also a common cause of dry heaving since they tune the stomach. Therefore, avoid irritating smells such as smoke, fumes or perfumes. Odors activate your brain by sending a lot of stimuli to it. This can make you vomit since it is connected to the digestive system.
Final thoughts
The occurrence of retching may differ in people and having too many dry heaves call for medical intervention. Ensure that you maintain a proper diet and watch for triggers to control the condition.
