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What causes nausea?

12 common causes
Medically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie,
MPAS, PA-C — Written by Zawn Villines on February
23, 2021

List of causes Infections

Digestive disorders Mental health
Inner ear conditions Hormones
Nervous system Medications
Home remedies When to speak to a doctor
Summary

Several conditions can cause

nausea, including stress, anxiety,
infections, motion sickness, and
many more. Occasional temporary
nausea is also common but
typically not cause for concern.

Nausea is a sensation that makes a person

feel they need to vomit. Sometimes,
individuals with nausea do vomit, but not
always.

In this article, we explore what triggers

nausea, including a list of 12 common
causes. We will also discuss some of these
conditions in more detail and describe their
symptoms and treatments.
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What can cause nausea?

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There are many triggers for nausea. Some

common causes ! include:

stress or anxiety

motion sickness

pregnancy

phobias

migraine

food poisoning

viruses, such as influenza (flu) or

norovirus (stomach flu)

gastrointestinal disorders such as

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

certain medications, such as hormonal

contraceptives or beta-blockers

problems with the inner ear, such as

labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis

thyroid disorders

eating disorders

The following sections explore some of the

most common causes for nausea in more
detail.

Infections
Several types of infection may cause nausea,
including:

Food poisoning or stomach flu

Gastrointestinal infections, such as those

caused by food poisoning or viruses, are
among the most common ! reasons for
nausea.

Symptoms may include:

nausea

stomach pain or cramping

vomiting

diarrhea

Food poisoning occurs when a person

ingests food or drink containing a virus,
toxin, or bacterium, such as Salmonella and
Escherichia coli. Other gastrointestinal
viruses, such as norovirus or rotavirus, occur
due to close contact with someone who is
sick.

These infections usually clear up on their

own at home. Drinking enough fluids and
electrolytes is important for preventing
dehydration, particularly in young children.

Flu and COVID-19

Other types of viral infection can also trigger

nausea, such as flu and COVID-19. The
symptoms of COVID-19 include !:

fever or chills

loss of taste or smell

cough

shortness of breath

fatigue

headache

body aches

blocked or runny nose

sore throat

nausea

vomiting

diarrhea

A 2021 review found that out of 6,335

people with COVID-19, 79% ! experienced
nausea.

People with flu can also have many of these

symptoms. Nausea is more common ! in
children with flu compared to adults, but
both groups may experience it.

Because the symptoms of COVID-19 are

similar to those of flu and can vary from
person to person, it is important to stay at
home and follow local guidelines if someone
has any symptoms that may indicate COVID-
19.

Learn the differences between the common

cold, flu, and COVID-19.
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Digestive disorders
A range of digestive disorders can induce
nausea, including !:

Gastritis: Acid or a bacterium called H.

pylori often cause inflammation of the
stomach, which can lead to stomach
ulcers.

Gastroparesis: With this condition, the

stomach empties much slower than it
should. Certain medications or nerve
damage usually cause this, which is
common in people with diabetes.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease:

Triggers chronic acid reflux and
indigestion.

IBS: Causes stomach cramping, along

with diarrhea or constipation.

Celiac disease: An autoimmune

condition that causes symptoms in
response to gluten.

Gallbladder conditions: Includes

issues such as gallstones.

Pancreas conditions: Includes issues

such as pancreatitis.

Typically, nausea is not the only symptom of

chronic digestive disorders. A person may
also experience:

abdominal bloating or fullness

gas or belching

heartburn or indigestion

diarrhea, constipation, or both

abdominal pain and cramping

reactions or intolerance to specific

foods or food groups

The diagnosis and treatment for digestive

disorders vary depending on the cause.
They may involve a combination of
medications, dietary or lifestyle changes, or
in some cases, medical procedures.

Learn more about common and uncommon

digestive disorders.

Mental health conditions

Mental health and digestive health are
closely linked. People with mental health
conditions can experience digestive
symptoms, including nausea. Similarly, stress
can also exacerbate digestive conditions.

People who frequently feel stressed,

anxious, or panicked may have an anxiety
disorder. The symptoms of anxiety include:

nausea

rapid heartbeat

quick or shallow breathing

choking sensation in the throat

sweating

dizziness

tense muscles

Severe anxiety can also trigger panic

attacks, or in some cases, fainting. For
example, people with a fear of needles or
blood may experience nausea, dizziness,
and loss of consciousness. This is known as
vasovagal syncope !.

People can also experience a phobia of

nausea and vomiting itself. Doctors call this
emetophobia.

Treatment for anxiety disorders typically

involves talking therapy, medication to
manage symptoms, or both.

Find a comprehensive list of mental health

resources here.

Inner ear conditions

The vestibular system resides in the inner
ear, helping the body retain a sense of
balance and know where it is relative to its
surroundings. Issues with this system can
cause ! dizziness or vertigo, which in turn
causes nausea.

Conditions that may cause this include:

Motion sickness: Occurs in response

to conflicting signals of movement sent
to the brain. Riding in cars, planes, or
boats often triggers this.

Labyrinthitis: An inner ear infection

that can occur following a cold or flu.

Vestibular neuritis: Occurs when the

nerve inside the inner ear becomes
inflamed.

Meniere’s disease !: Causes sudden

episodes of dizziness, which can be
severe.

The treatment for inner ear disorders can

vary depending on the cause and the
individual. People with an ear infection may
find symptoms improve on their own over
time, while over-the-counter (OTC) travel
sickness medications may be enough to
ease occasional motion sickness.

Those with more chronic conditions may

need to try various medications, lifestyle
changes, or coping techniques to manage
their symptoms.

Hormonal changes
Changes in hormone levels, such as those
caused by pregnancy, hormonal
contraception, or endocrine disorders, may
also cause nausea.

Pregnancy

Nausea is a common symptom during

pregnancy. It is often known as morning
sickness, although it can occur at any time. It
may also develop suddenly or gradually.

Pregnant people may experience nausea

when around certain foods or smells, or
when they are hungry. Generally, morning
sickness improves after 14 weeks.

Doctors may prescribe vitamin B6 or

doxylamine to help with nausea and
vomiting during pregnancy.

Thyroid disorders

The thyroid gland controls hormones that

regulate the body’s metabolism. Both !
overactive or underactive thyroid can cause
nausea.

Symptoms of an overactive thyroid, or

hyperthyroidism, include !:

nervousness

tiredness or muscle weakness

irritability

intolerance to heat

difficulty sleeping

shaky hands

rapid heartbeat

frequent bowel movements

weight loss and difficulty gaining

weight

Symptoms of an underactive thyroid, or

hypothyroidism, include !:

tiredness

puffy face

weight gain and difficulty losing weight

constipation

intolerance to the cold

dry skin and hair

depression

slower heartbeat

Doctors often treat these conditions with

medication, which can also cause nausea as
a side effect.

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Neurological conditions
There are many ways in which changes in
the brain and nervous system can cause
nausea. Scientists do not fully understand !
all of them yet.

One of the most common neurological

conditions that triggers nausea is migraine.
This is a disorder that causes episodes of
moderate-to-severe headache, along with
other symptoms, including:

light or sound sensitivity

nausea

vomiting

aura, which are neurological changes

that some people experience before
pain develops

Some individuals also experience silent or

acephalgic migraine, which does not cause
any pain.

There are several treatments for migraine.

For occasional or less severe episodes,
people may find taking OTC pain
medications and avoiding triggers is enough.
For severe or frequent migraine, a person
may need preventative medications or other
therapies.

More serious neurological causes for nausea

include head trauma, meningitis, or a
hemorrhage.

Medication side effect

Nausea is a common side effect of many
medications, including:

antibiotics

antidepressants

OTC pain medication, such as aspirin

or ibuprofen

certain supplements, such as iron

opioids

chemotherapy

Medications work by changing chemical

processes in the brain and body. For
example, neurotransmitters, such as
serotonin and dopamine, can impact !
nausea and vomiting, so drugs that act on
these chemicals can worsen or improve
these symptoms.

Medication-related nausea and vomiting can

be constant or occur at random intervals. It
usually starts shortly after taking a new
medication. Speak with a doctor if medicines
could be causing nausea.
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For the acute treatment of migraine

and the preventive treatment of
episodic migraine in adults.
Individual results may vary.

People are talking about how

Nurtec ODT can treat & prevent
migraines...

Prescribing Information
• have liver problems,
• have kidney problems,
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant,
• breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Tell your HCP about all the medicines you take,

How to relieve nausea

What helps people manage nausea can vary
depending on the cause. For general nausea
relief, the United Kingdom’s National Health
Service (NHS) suggest:

getting fresh air

eating small, frequent meals

staying hydrated by sipping cold drinks,

such as water or juice

drinking ginger or peppermint tea

eating foods that contain ginger

avoiding spicy, strong-smelling, or

greasy foods

People who experience nausea because of

stress or anxiety may also find breathing
techniques, relaxation training, or
mindfulness exercises helpful.

Learn 17 ways to improve nausea at home.

When to speak with a doctor

While home remedies can relieve the feeling
of nausea, they are not a replacement for
medical treatment for those with underlying
conditions.

If a person frequently experiences nausea

for no clear reason, they can consider
speaking with a doctor to determine the
cause. If the cause is psychological,
speaking with a therapist may help.

Nausea is not usually an emergency.

However, if it occurs alongside symptoms of
a serious condition or after an injury,
someone may need emergency help. Dial
911 if someone experiences nausea:

after a recent head injury

alongside a severe, sudden headache

with neck stiffness, fever, headache,

and vomiting

In some cases, nausea can be an early

warning sign of a heart attack. This is more
common in females !, who can experience
less obvious symptoms during a heart attack.
Seek emergency help if someone has:

pain, pressure, or squeezing in the

center of the chest

trouble breathing

pain in one or both arms, the back,

neck, or jaw

lightheadedness

a cold sweat

Summary
There are many potential causes of nausea.
In most cases, it is not a sign of a serious
illness. Many conditions that trigger nausea
are treatable or temporary.

Speak with a doctor about chronic or

recurring nausea, as there may be ways to
reduce this symptom and improve quality of
life.

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Last medically reviewed on February 23, 2021

Anxiety / Stress
GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Women's Health / Gynecology

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