Nausea is characterized by an unpleasant sensation in the stomach, which can be related to benign or serious conditions such as pregnancy, gastroesophageal reflux, anxiety, and intestinal obstruction, for example.
Nausea can occur alone or be accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, dizziness, excessive salivation, and general malaise and weakness.
When nausea persists for several days or is associated with other symptoms, it is advisable to consult a doctor to assess the health condition, identify the cause and indicate appropriate treatment, if necessary.
Main causes
The main causes of nausea are:
1. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when some of the stomach contents flow back up into the esophagus, causing symptoms such as nausea, a burning sensation in the throat or stomach, and a dry cough.
GERD is primarily linked to a failure of the muscle meant to separate the stomach from the esophagus, which can be caused by a hiatal hernia or by taking antihistamines and antidepressants, for example.
What to do: in order to reduce stomach acidity and accelerate its emptying, certain drug treatments such as omeprazole and domperidone may be prescribed.
Furthermore, it is important to avoid alcoholic beverages, fatty and spicy foods, as well as caffeine.
2. Pregnancy
The hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, such as the production of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and the increase in estrogen and progesterone levels, can cause persistent nausea. Learn more about pregnancy symptoms.
Symptoms are particularly intense in early pregnancy, between the 7th and 10th week. However, in some women, nausea can persist until the end of pregnancy.
What to do: It’s important to eat every 3 hours, choose light foods, and avoid drinking liquids for 2 hours after waking up. Additionally, to relieve nausea, it can be helpful to eat cold foods and lemon ice cream.
If, despite these measures, nausea persists or is accompanied by vomiting, it is recommended to consult your obstetrician so that they can prescribe antiemetic medication.
3. Migraines
Migraine is a type of intense, throbbing headache that can be caused by hormonal fluctuations, prolonged fasting, or stress. In addition to headaches, migraines can also cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and sensitivity to light.
This condition primarily affects women, and its causes are not yet fully understood. However, some studies suggest that it may be due to changes in blood flow to the brain.
What to do: When headache and nausea symptoms are constant and last more than 72 hours, a general practitioner or neurologist should be consulted to establish appropriate treatment with analgesics to relieve pain or a specific migraine medication, such as zolmitriptan.
4. Anxiety
Anxiety is characterized by excessive worry about situations that have not yet occurred or by an exaggerated fear that a negative event will occur. This condition can cause physical symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, excessive fatigue, nausea, and muscle pain.
What to do: it is advisable to practice activities that promote relaxation such as meditation, yoga, sport, for example.
If anxiety symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes, it is advisable to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist to assess possible causes of anxiety and recommend treatments such as psychotherapy and/or medication.
5. Labyrinthite
Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the labyrinth, an organ within the ear, that causes persistent nausea, dizziness, and a general feeling of malaise. This condition can be triggered by viral, bacterial, or fungal infections, as well as by certain emotional factors such as stress, anxiety, or depression.
What to do: once the situation has been analyzed by the ENT specialist, he or she may recommend taking antiemetic and anticholinergic medications such as Buscopan and Metoclopramide to relieve nausea and dizziness.
Furthermore, it is recommended to maintain a healthy diet and avoid inflammatory foods such as sugar, fried foods, and alcoholic beverages.
6. Certain medications
Some medications, particularly those taken continuously such as oral contraceptives and antidepressants, can cause persistent nausea as a side effect. Additionally, corticosteroids, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs increase stomach acidity and can also cause nausea.
Cancer treatments, particularly chemotherapy, often cause bothersome nausea. Therefore, doctors frequently prescribe antiemetic medication before starting these treatments, which are considered quite demanding.
What to do: It is important to consult the doctor who prescribed the treatment when nausea occurs following taking it in order to see if it is possible to stop or modify the treatment.
7. Food intolerance
Food intolerance is characterized by difficulty or an inability of the body to digest certain foods. In most cases, intolerance causes nausea, diarrhea, bloating, and stomach pain.
What to do: If intolerance is suspected, it is recommended to consult a general practitioner or gastroenterologist to confirm the diagnosis of intolerance and to indicate the appropriate treatment, which mainly consists of eliminating the food causing the symptoms.
Learn more about gluten intolerance and its symptoms.
8. Gastric ulcer
A gastric ulcer is a sore in the lining of the stomach, which can cause symptoms such as constant nausea, heartburn, vomiting that may contain blood, and dark stools.
Discover all the symptoms of a stomach ulcer.
What to do: Treatment of gastric ulcers is based on taking proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole, aluminum and magnesium hydroxide, as well as antibiotics in case of bacterial superinfection.
9. Dyspepsia
In cases of dyspepsia, the person presents signs and symptoms of poor digestion such as pain in the upper abdomen, frequent belching, persistent nausea, and a general feeling of malaise.
What to do: Treatment involves taking pain relievers to ease stomach pain, as well as medications that inhibit acid production, such as omeprazole. In cases of infection caused by H. pylori, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
10. Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is a functional digestive disorder characterized by the slowing or cessation of stomach movements, which causes nausea, vomiting, a feeling of fullness, excess gas, and abdominal pain.
What to do: Treatment for gastroparesis involves modifying the diet, reducing portion sizes and favoring a low-fat, high-soluble-fiber, and primarily liquid diet to provide the necessary nutrients, maintain hydration, and facilitate stomach emptying.
The doctor may also prescribe medications such as erythromycin, domperidone, and metoclopramide to improve bowel movements and control nausea and vomiting. If, despite these treatments, the patient’s condition does not improve, the doctor may perform a surgical gastric emptying procedure.
11. Cholelithiasis
Cholelithiasis is the presence of gallstones, or solid deposits, inside the gallbladder, caused by the accumulation of bilirubin or cholesterol within it. This can lead to symptoms such as stomach and back pain, vomiting, persistent nausea, and excessive sweating.
What to do: Gallstones usually pass on their own and do not require treatment. However, when gallstones are very large and remain lodged in the bile ducts, the doctor may recommend the use of shock waves or medications such as ursodiol to break up and dissolve the stone.
Laparoscopic gallbladder removal is indicated in cases of recurrent gallstones and debilitating symptoms.
12. Intestinal obstruction
Intestinal obstruction is a complete or partial blockage of the intestine, causing symptoms such as difficulty passing or eliminating gas, bloating, nausea, and severe abdominal pain, which can worsen over time. Intestinal obstruction is a medical emergency requiring prompt and effective treatment.
What to do: Treatment for partial obstruction, which has less severe symptoms, may involve administering intravenous hydration to facilitate the passage of fecal matter through the digestive tract and placing a nasogastric tube, a tube that goes from the nose to the stomach to remove excess gas and fluids.
In the most serious cases, surgery is required to unblock the bowel.
Learn more about intestinal obstruction and its treatment.
13. Kidney stones
Kidney stones, or renal lithiasis, are characterized by the accumulation of solid deposits, particularly mineral salts, in the kidney.
What to do: Treatment includes the use of oral anti-inflammatories such as diclofenac and analgesics such as paracetamol and tramadol.
In addition, the doctor may also prescribe medications that help dissolve small stones, such as calcium channel blockers and alpha-adrenergic blockers. Surgery is indicated for large stones or complications such as urinary tract obstruction.
14. Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the intestines that causes symptoms such as severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. This condition primarily occurs after consuming food or water contaminated with bacteria or viruses. Learn more about gastroenteritis .
What to do: It is important to consult a gastroenterologist to identify the cause of the gastroenteritis and begin the most appropriate treatment. This treatment primarily involves rest, fluid intake, and eating easily digestible foods. In cases where the gastroenteritis is caused by bacteria, the doctor may also recommend antibiotics.
When to consult
Isolated nausea is generally not a sign of a serious illness. However, if it persists and/or is accompanied by the following symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor:
- Bleeding from the mouth;
- Persistent and frequent vomiting;
- Fever;
- Severe and debilitating abdominal pain;
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing;
- Severe chest pain.
Indeed, the combination of these symptoms may indicate serious problems.