One of the most common and vexing medical complaints I see in the office is nausea. Indeed, not a day goes by that a patient does not lament the presence of this uncomfortable and vague sense of distress. This symptom is among the most frustrating for both patients and providers. The reason for this is that in most cases, the complaint cannot be explained. Of course, nausea can have an specific cause which we physicians will try to identify. In these cases, the nausea is usually a secondary effect of another medical condition. In other words, the nausea is not typically caused by actual stomach disease. Patients with viral infections, gallbladder issues, depression, appendicitis, migraines, inner ear disease, pregnancy or marijuana abuse can all experience nausea. And nearly every medicine will have nausea listed among the long list of potential side effects. When I see a patient suffering from years of nausea, how might...
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