Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesManaging NauseaWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Managing Nausea
When to See a Provider
Nausea (feeling “sick to your stomach”) is common. It is related to various conditions and even changes in diet. Some causes are eating a big meal, eating fatty or processed foods, being pregnant, becoming dehydrated, having medical conditions, or taking certain medications.
Sladic / Getty Images
What Causes Nausea?
Nauseais a nonspecific symptom, meaning it can be related to many different conditions, both digestive and non-digestive. It could also result for no apparent reason. It usually resolves on its own, but in some cases, it can become chronic.Vomitingsometimes, but not always, accompanies nausea.
Dietary Changes
Drinks could also cause nausea. This can include carbonated beverages, alcoholic drinks, or those that contain caffeine, such as coffee or energy drinks.
Migraine
Amigraineis a type of headache that can become disabling. It may cause symptoms that include throbbing head pain along with nausea and sensitivity to sound and light. The nausea may come on even before the head pain does.
Hangover
Infections
Some illnesses can cause nausea, sometimes with vomiting, including:
Intense Physical Activity
Some people have nausea and/or vomiting after they exercise, especially after a really intense workout. This is called exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome (EIGS). It can be mild or lead to vomiting or occur along with other symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and gas.
Supplement or Medication Side Effect
Nausea is an extremely common adverse effect of medications or supplements. It can happen when medications are taken on an empty stomach (without any food) or as a side effect of the drug or supplement.
Some of the more common medications that might cause nausea are:
Pregnancy
Hyperglycemia
Keeping a consistent blood sugar (glucose) level is important, especially for people with diabetes. When blood sugar climbs higher than 180 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), it may cause signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia (high levels of blood glucose). These include feeling weak, tired, or thirsty, blurred vision, urinating more frequently, dry mouth, and nausea and vomiting.
Inner Ear Conditions
The ear contains organs that affect a person’sbalanceand hearing. Conditions that affect the ear, such asMénière’s disease,vestibular neuritis,and middle ear infections (otitis media),can lead to nausea and, potentially, vomiting.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Diseases and conditions affecting the gastrointestinal system can cause nausea for many reasons. However, nausea doesn’t always mean there’s a problem with the stomach—it could stem from problems in any part of the gut.
Some of the conditions that may cause nausea include:
Digestive HemorrhageBleeding in the digestive tract can be a sign of many different conditions. Some of them are common and less serious, while others are rare but severe. Blood in the digestive tract can appear either as bright red blood coming from the rectum or found on or in the stools or black, tarry stools. In vomit, the blood might also appear bright red or look like coffee grounds.
Digestive Hemorrhage
Bleeding in the digestive tract can be a sign of many different conditions. Some of them are common and less serious, while others are rare but severe. Blood in the digestive tract can appear either as bright red blood coming from the rectum or found on or in the stools or black, tarry stools. In vomit, the blood might also appear bright red or look like coffee grounds.
Psychological Disorders
Some psychological conditions or states might lead to nausea, including the familiar feeling of nausea when feeling anxious or upset. Nausea in this case can result from changing levels of chemicals in the brain that control body functions and mood.
Some of the psychological conditions which may lead to nausea include:
Heart Attack
A heart attack (myocardial infarction) is a medical emergency and a reason to call 911 for an ambulance or to seek care at the emergency department right away.
These heart conditions may cause nausea:
How to Get Rid of Nausea
Sometimes, it is obvious what is causing nausea, such as when it comes on after eating a big meal. In other cases, it might not be easy to pinpoint, which may mean trying a few different remedies at home to combat nausea.
To manage nausea at home try the following:
If these do not work, contact a healthcare provider, who can prescribe medication to manage nausea.
One trick often used at hospitals and emergency departments to relieve nausea is smelling isopropyl alcohol. To do this, open an alcohol wipe and inhale the fumes. Holding the alcohol pad 1 to 2 centimeters below the nose and inhaling deeply seems to work best.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Nausea is troublesome and can be challenging to deal with. However, nausea isn’t usually an emergency and often goes away on its own with self-care or treating the cause, when known.
Dehydration and NauseaNausea and/or vomiting are symptoms of several common conditions, including gastroenteritis (the “stomach flu”) or food poisoning. The loss of fluids through loose stools or vomiting can lead todehydration. Nausea could cause you to avoid drinking enough fluids or keeping them down, which can result in dehydration.
Dehydration and Nausea
Nausea and/or vomiting are symptoms of several common conditions, including gastroenteritis (the “stomach flu”) or food poisoning. The loss of fluids through loose stools or vomiting can lead todehydration. Nausea could cause you to avoid drinking enough fluids or keeping them down, which can result in dehydration.
Summary
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Indigestion (dyspepsia).
Jayawardena R, Thejani T, Ranasinghe P, Fernando D, Verster JC.Interventions for treatment and/or prevention of alcohol hangover: systematic review.Hum Psychopharmacol.2017;32:10.1002/hup.2600. doi:10.1002/hup.2600
Zhong W, Shahbaz O, Teskey G, et al.Mechanisms of nausea and vomiting: current knowledge and recent advances in intracellular emetic signaling systems.Int J Mol Sci.2021;22:5797. doi:10.3390/ijms22115797
Gaskell SK, Rauch CE, Costa RJS.Gastrointestinal assessment and therapeutic intervention for the management of exercise-associated gastrointestinal symptoms: a case series translational and professional practice approach.Front Physiol.2021;12:719142. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.719142
Singh P, Yoon SS, Kuo B.Nausea: a review of pathophysiology and therapeutics.Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2016;9:98-112. doi:10.1177/1756283X15618131
Liu C, Zhao G, Qiao D, et al.Emerging progress in nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum: challenges and opportunities.Frontiers in Medicine.2020;8:809270. doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.809270
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Morning sickness: nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.
University of Michigan.High blood sugar (hyperglycemia).
American Academy of Family Physicians.Meniere’s disease.
Bae CH, Na HG, Choi YS.Current diagnosis and treatment of vestibular neuritis: a narrative review.J Yeungnam Med Sci.2022;39:81-88. doi:10.12701/yujm.2021.01228.
Jan TA.Otitis media (acute). Merck Manual Professional Version.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gastrointestinal bleeding.
American Heart Association.Warning signs of a heart attack.
Stanford Health Care.Chronic Nausea Treatments.
Lindblad AJ, Ting R, Harris K.Inhaled isopropyl alcohol for nausea and vomiting in the emergency department.Can Fam Physician. 2018;64:580.
Gotfried J.Nausea and vomiting. Merck Manual Professional Version.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”).
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
