What is nausea?

Nausea is the feeling you get when you think you might vomit (be sick). It's often called 'feeling sick' or 'throwing up'.

Nausea isn't an illness. It's a symptom caused by something else.

It usually isn't a sign of something serious and you can do things to help yourself feel better.

What symptoms are related to nausea?

You may feel nauseous before you vomit. This is when you throw up the contents of your stomach through your mouth.

You might also feel like dry retching or dry heaving. This is when you heave as if you are going to vomit, but nothing comes out.

Nausea can make it hard for you to eat and drink. This can lead to other symptoms like:

• headaches
• dizziness
• fever
• fatigue, weakness and drowsiness

What causes nausea?

Nausea is caused by many different things.

Infection is a common cause of nausea, including:

• gastroenteritis
• labyrinthitis
• COVID-19
• sepsis
• urinary tract infections
• tonsilitis

Other causes of nausea include:

• motion sickness
• medicines and treatments, such as chemotherapy
• pancreatitis
• gallstones
• acid reflux
• heart problems

It's also common to feel sick when you:

• are in a lot of pain
• have a migraine
• have a head injury
• have drunk too much alcohol
• are experiencing a lot of stress and anxiety

Food

If you feel nauseous right after you've eaten, it might be caused by:

• food allergies or intolerances
• overeating

Feeling nauseous after eating could also be due to food poisoning. Food poisoning can take hours to days to make you feel sick.

Pregnancy

If you are pregnant, you might have nausea, especially during the first trimester (first 12 weeks) of pregnancy. This is called morning sickness, even though it can happen at any time of day. Sometimes, you might also feel nauseous after having your baby.

How is the cause of nausea diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask if you have any other symptoms. They may organise tests to find the cause of your nausea.

When should I see my doctor?

You should see your doctor if:

• your nausea doesn't go away
• you need help managing nausea when you are pregnant

See a doctor if you are vomiting a lot for more than 24 hours.

If your nausea happens after eating a certain food, you can visit a dietitian. They can help diagnose and manage your nausea.

When to seek urgent care

You should go to a hospital's emergency department or call triple zero (000) for an ambulance if you have:

• chest pain
• confusion
• a high fever
• a stiff neck
• blurred vision
• severe pain in your stomach
• a bad headache

How is nausea treated?

Self-care at home

The best thing to do if you feel nauseous is to stay hydrated. Try to take small sips of cold, clear fluids such as:

• water
• herbal tea
• lemonade and ginger ale
• fruit juice
• rehydration solutions

If you have nausea and can't drink, try sucking on icy poles or ice cubes.

Try not to skip meals, as an empty stomach can make your nausea worse. Eat small amounts more often. Some foods may be easier to eat and can help you feel better, such as:

• dry cracker biscuits
• ginger
• salty chips
• clear soup
• noodles

Try to stay away from fatty, spicy or very sweet foods as these can make your nausea worse.

Medicines for nausea

Your doctor may prescribe medicine such as an antihistamine or an antiemetic (medicine to stop you vomiting).

If you are pregnant, your doctor will choose a medicine that is safe for you and your baby.

Can nausea be prevented?

If you feel nauseous often, try to avoid things that bring on your nausea. You can try other things to stop you feeling sick:

• Eat small meals when you don't feel sick and try not to let your stomach get empty.
• Try not to lie down right after you eat.
• If you get dehydrated you feel even more nauseous — take small sips of water.
• Try not to eat and drink at the same.
• Try to rest.

If you get nauseous from motion sickness you can:

• buy medicine from a pharmacist to prevent motion sickness
• travel facing forward
• avoid reading or watching a screen when you're in a vehicle
• keep your eyes on the horizon

What are the complications of nausea?

Nausea can cause vomiting and stop you from eating and drinking. This can lead to dehydration and malnutrition.

These can lead to other problems such as kidney problems.

If you are very dehydrated, you might need to be given fluids in a hospital through an intravenous (IV) drip.

Resources and support

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.