How to Get Rid of Nausea With Alka Seltzer
Nausea is the sensation of an urge to vomit. Nausea can be acute and short-lived, or it can be prolonged. When prolonged, it is a debilitating symptom. Nausea (and vomiting) can be psychological or physical in origin. It can originate from problems in the brain or organs of the upper gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, small intestine, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder). Nausea also may be caused by diseases of many organs outside of the gastrointestinal system. Therefore, the diagnosis of the cause of prolonged nausea may not be easy. All stimuli that cause nausea work via the vomiting center in the brain, which gives rise to the sensation of nausea and coordinates the physical act of vomiting.
Nausea symptoms are frequently difficult for people to describe. Nausea symptoms are not painful but very uncomfortable feelings that are felt in the chest, upper abdomen, or back of the throat. Nausea can also be associated with headache, fever, diarrhea, gas, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness, abdominal pain, and a general feeling of being sick to one’s stomach.
Other causes of nausea include side effects from medications, pain, pregnancy and morning sickness, seasickness, viral infection, alcohol toxicity, and disease of the brain, esophagus, stomach, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, and intestine.
Does Alka Seltzer Help With Nausea
Launched in 1931, Alka-Seltzer is an effervescent antacid and pain reliever first marketed by the Dr. Miles Medicine Company of Elkhart, Indiana, United States. Alka-Seltzer contains three active ingredients: aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) (ASA), sodium bicarbonate, and anhydrous citric acid. The aspirin is a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory, the sodium bicarbonate is an antacid, and the citric acid reacts with the sodium bicarbonate and water to form effervescence. It was developed by head chemist Maurice Treneer. Alka-Seltzer is marketed for relief of minor aches, pains, inflammation, fever, headache, heartburn, stomachache, indigestion, acid reflux and hangovers, while neutralizing excess stomach acid.
How Alka Seltzer Gets Rid of Nausea
Alka-Seltzer contains sodium bicarbonate. The key to baking soda’s ability to treat acid reflux lies in the ingredient sodium bicarbonate. In fact, your pancreas naturally produces sodium bicarbonate to protect your intestines. As an absorbable antacid, sodium bicarbonate quickly neutralizes stomach acid. Sodium bicarbonate synergistically works with aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) (ASA) another ingredient in Alka-Seltzer which targets inflammation, both of which will help ease your pain and get you on track for a nausea-free day.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Alka-Seltzer?
If you are allergic to Alka-Seltzer (aspirin, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate); any part of Alka-Seltzer (aspirin, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have any of these health problems: Asthma, bleeding problems, nose polyps, or nose irritation.
- If you are taking other drugs for any of these health problems: Arthritis, diabetes, or gout.
- If you are taking another drug that has the same drug in it.
- If you are taking any other NSAID.
- If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Do not take Alka-Seltzer (aspirin, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate) if you are in the third trimester of pregnancy. You may also need to avoid Alka-Seltzer (aspirin, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate) at other times during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor to see when you need to avoid taking Alka-Seltzer (aspirin, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate) during pregnancy.
- If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Alka-Seltzer (aspirin, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Alka-Seltzer?
Tell all of your health care providers that you take Alka-Seltzer (aspirin, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Do not use Alka-Seltzer (aspirin, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate) right before or after heart bypass surgery.
- Do not give to children and teenagers who have or are getting better from flu signs, chickenpox, or other viral infections due to the chance of Reye’s syndrome. Reye’s syndrome causes very bad problems to the brain and liver.
- Do not take more than what your doctor told you to take. Taking more than you are told may raise your chance of very bad side effects.
- Do not take Alka-Seltzer (aspirin, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate) for longer than you were told by your doctor.
- You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
- Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
- If you smoke, talk with your doctor.
- If you are on a low-sodium or sodium-free diet, talk with your doctor. Some of these products have sodium.
- If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), talk with your doctor. Some products have phenylalanine.
- This medicine may raise the chance of severe and sometimes deadly stomach or bowel problems like ulcers or bleeding. The risk is greater in older people, and in people who have had stomach or bowel ulcers or bleeding before. These problems may occur without warning signs.
- Do not give Alka-Seltzer (aspirin, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate) to a child younger than 12 years old without first checking with the doctor.
- If you are over the age of 60, use Alka-Seltzer (aspirin, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate) with care. You could have more side effects.
- This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking Alka-Seltzer (aspirin, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate), call your doctor right away.
How is this medicine (Alka-Seltzer) best taken?
Use Alka-Seltzer (aspirin, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- Take with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
- Dissolve in 1/2 cup (4 ounces/120 mL) of water. Drink after the tablets have dissolved all the way.
- Do not swallow it whole.
- Rinse cup with more water and drink.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
If you take Alka-Seltzer (aspirin, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate) on a regular basis, take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
Many times Alka-Seltzer (aspirin, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate) is taken on an as needed basis. Do not take more often than told by the doctor.
