Nausea

Nausea is the unpleasant sensation of needing to vomit, with or without actual vomiting. It may be temporary or persistent and is often accompanied by dizziness, abdominal discomfort, or sweating. While nausea itself is not a disease, it is a symptom of many conditions, ranging from mild digestive upset to serious medical emergencies.

• Digestive causes

Viral or bacterial gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”)

Food poisoning

Peptic ulcers, acid reflux

• Systemic causes

Pregnancy (“morning sickness”)

Migraine headaches

Motion sickness

Medication side effects (chemotherapy, pain medicines, antibiotics)

• Serious causes

Appendicitis or gallbladder disease

Intestinal obstruction

Heart attack

Head injury or concussion

• Risk factors: Pregnancy, certain medications, inner ear disorders, history of migraines or motion sickness, and recent anesthesia.

Seek prompt evaluation if nausea is severe, persistent, or associated with dehydration, inability to keep fluids down, high fever, abdominal pain, blood in vomit, chest pain, or neurological symptoms such as confusion or severe headache.