Understanding Nausea: Causes, Relief & When to Seek Help

What Is Nausea?

Nausea is the unpleasant sensation of needing to vomit. It's a symptom, not a disease, triggered by signals from the GI tract, vestibular system, chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), or cortex to the vomiting center in the medulla.

Common Causes

• GI: Gastroenteritis, food poisoning, GERD, gastroparesis, obstruction, pancreatitis.
• Medications: Opioids, chemo, antibiotics, NSAIDs, iron, digoxin.
• Metabolic: Pregnancy (hCG), uremia, hyperglycemia/DKA, thyroid storm.
• Neurologic: Migraine, increased ICP, concussion, vestibular neuritis, motion sickness.
• Psychiatric: Anxiety, bulimia, anorexia.
• Toxins: Alcohol, radiation.

Self-Care Strategies

• Small, frequent sips of clear fluids (water, ginger ale, electrolyte drinks).
• Ginger (250 mg q6h, tea, candied).
• Peppermint tea (avoid if GERD).
• Bland foods: crackers, toast, rice, banana (BRAT).
• Avoid strong odors, greasy/spicy foods.
• Fresh air, cool compress, upright position.
• Acupressure (P6/Neiguan point).

OTC Options

• Meclizine/dimenhydrinate (motion sickness).
• Bismuth subsalicylate.
• Doxylamine + pyridoxine (pregnancy—Unisom + B6).

When to See a Doctor

• Nausea >24–48 hrs (adults), >12 hrs (children).
• Inability to keep fluids down >12 hrs.
• Signs of dehydration.
• Severe abdominal pain.
• Blood in vomit (coffee grounds = upper GI bleed).
• Head injury, severe headache, stiff neck.
• Pregnancy with weight loss (hyperemesis gravidarum).