Find advice and treatments for Nausea

Nausea FAQs

• What is Nausea?
  Nausea is an unpleasant sensation in the upper stomach that accompanies the urge to vomit. Nausea can precede vomiting, although it is possible to feel nauseous with out throwing up. A prolonged feeling of nausea can be a debilitating symptom.
• What causes Nausea?
  Nausea is a non-specific symptom, meaning it can have various different causes. Nausea is not an illness itself, but rather a symptom of another condition. The most common causes of nausea are listed below:

  • Motion sickness
  • Migraine
  • Pregnancy (morning sickness)
  • Intense pain
  • Enteroviruses (viruses affecting your intestinal system)
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Food poisoning
  • Dizziness
  • Chemotherapy
  • Bulimia
  • Drinking excess amounts of alcohol
  • Medications
• What are the symptoms of Nausea?
  Nausea symptoms can be difficult to describe. Nausea itself wouldn’t be classed as painful, but rather an uncomfortable feeling felt in the upper stomach and chest. Nausea can have an array of associated symptoms, including:

  • Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Dizziness
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhoea
  • Gas
  • Light-headedness
• When do I need to see my GP about Nausea?
  Knowing the cause of your nausea will help determine whether you need to visit your doctor. For example; if your nausea is the result of motion sickness, once the motion causing the sickness has ceased, the associated nausea will, in turn, subside. Another example would be nausea caused by overindulging in alcohol. The nausea itself is a related symptom to the excessive consumption, which means once the alcohol has left your system, the nauseous feelings should dissipate. Under these circumstances, a visit to the doctor will likely be unnecessary.

  If however, you are persistently experiencing nausea, and its cause is unknown, then it is advised to speak with your doctor. Also, you should seek medical advice immediately should you present with any of the following associated symptoms:

  • Blood in your vomit
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • A headache and stiffness of the neck
  • A persistent feeling of nausea that doesn’t go away in someone who isn’t pregnant
  • Dehydration
• How can I treat Nausea?
  There are a variety of different medicines available for the treatment of nausea. Choosing the right medication will depend on its underlying cause. For example, sufferers of motion sickness and vertigo will likely need antihistamines or anticholinergics.

  If the nausea is being triggered by a migraine or headaches, then a dopamine antagonist, such as Metoclopramide would be a more suitable choice.

  Cases of nausea where gastroenteritis is the cause would be more effectively treated with serotonin antagonists, such as Ondansetron. Whereas, Pyridoxine and Doxylamine is usually the first line of treatment when treating pregnancy-related cases of morning sickness.
• What medicines are used to treat Nausea?
  A medicine used to relieve nausea is generally referred to as an antiemetic. There are lots of different types of antiemetic drugs, some of the most commonly prescribed are listed below:

  • Cyclizine – belongs to a group of medicines called antihistamines. Cyclizine is believed to block the histamine 1 receptor in the part of the brain that creates the sensation of nausea.
  • Promethazine – also an antihistamine. This drug works in the same way as Cyclizine.
  • Hyoscine – this medicine works by blocking the chemical acetylcholine. It is particularly effective at treating nausea caused by motion sickness and inner ear problems.
  • Metoclopramide – this medicine acts in the gut. Metoclopramide works to speed up the transit of food through the gut. This treatment for nausea is often used when the symptoms are caused by gut problems or a migraine.
  • Domperidone – like Metoclopramide, Domperidone also works to speed up food transit through the gut.
  • Prochlorperazine – this medicine works by blocking a chemical in the brain called dopamine. Prochlorperazine is useful for treating nausea caused by cancers, radiation and opiate medicines, such as morphine and codeine. Prochlorperazine has also proven effective at relieving nausea caused by vertigo and inner ear problems.
• Can I use Nausea treatments if I am pregnant?
  If you suffer from morning sickness during pregnancy, your doctor or midwife will likely suggest changes to your diet and daily life before prescribing medication. However, if these changes have little effect, or if the morning sickness is particularly severe, then your doctor or midwife may suggest a short-term course of medication.
• Can Nausea be prevented?
  Nausea isn’t always possible to prevent. Trying to manage the underlying cause will be the most effective method for preventing the associated nausea. For example, if your nausea is being caused by your medication, then speaking to your doctor about an alternative should be your first course of action.

  However, there are steps you can take to help prevent nausea, providing its cause and triggers are controllable. Listed below are some self-help tips that can help prevent nausea under these circumstances:

  • Eating smaller meals
  • Try to avoid foods that are hard to digest
  • If the smell of warm foods makes you feel nauseous, try eating foods that are cold
  • Eat slowly
  • Rest after eating, ensuring your head remains elevated roughly 12 inches above your feet
  • Eat during times where you feel less nauseated
  • Drink liquids in between meals rather than during them