Dry heaving can be defined as repeated involuntary retching that is unaccompanied by vomit. It is an attempt to vomit where you feel as if you are vomiting. At times dry heaving can be accompanied by nausea and may eventually culminate in vomiting. They can be as tiring and as wrenching as a proper vomit. However in this case you don’t get the satisfaction of having actually vomited everything. Most people who experience it would prefer it if they could vomit as they would then feel better. It tends to come in waves and you find yourself spitting out saliva and bile at times. It can also be accompanied by stomach indigestion, dry mouth and throat, chest pain or acid reflux. An acid reflux problem occurs when gastric juices from the stomach rise up into the esophagus. Acid reflux typically also causes heartburn. Other symptoms that may accompany dry heaves include abdominal pain, poor appetite, chronic and inexplicable choking and coughing, and deterioration in taste or even a constant unpleasant taste in the mouth. An empty stomach or food poisoning can be a cause of dry heaving. Low blood sugar levels can also trigger off a dry heaving spell. Anxiety can also be a trigger as it causes nervous reactions in the body, dry mouth and hence dry heaves.
Some of the remedies to reduce the occurrence of dry heaves are to chew with your mouth closed and to not talk while you are eating. Avoid drinking fizzy drinks like beer, carbonated drinks, soda. Avoid drinking from a bottle or can. Avoid using a straw. Also avoiding foods with high air content like ice-cream, whipped cream and omelets will help. Make it a habit not to gulp down air while eating your food. Being alert and more careful will reduce the occurrence of this problem. At times dry heaving can occur before or when one undergoes psychological pressures which can include anxiety over something or a claustrophobic situation. So taking suitable measures to reduce stress and anxiety can help. Sometimes eating saltines, yogurt or bananas right after you get up in the morning or even while still in bed can help reduce the occurrence of dry heaves. Try eating pickled Ginger or freeze dried ginger caps.
Other steps to take would be to ensure that you get a good night sleep on a regular basis. At times dry heaving can occur before or when one undergoes psychological pressures which can include anxiety over something or a claustrophobic situation. So take suitable measures to reduce stress and anxiety by engaging in relaxing activities.
answered by M W