Feeling nauseous is a very common experience, and for most people, it thankfully resolves on its own. If you’re experiencing that unsettling sensation of wanting to throw up, you’re likely wondering, “Why Would I Feel Nauseous?” The good news is there are several simple strategies you can try at home to alleviate your discomfort.
Simple Steps to Ease Nausea
If you’re feeling sick to your stomach, there are a few easy things you can do to potentially lessen the nausea.
What To Do When Feeling Nauseous
- Get Some Fresh Air: Stepping outside or simply opening a window can make a surprising difference. Fresh air can help calm your senses and reduce feelings of sickness.
- Distract Yourself: Engage your mind with something enjoyable. Listening to music, watching a movie, reading a book, or chatting with a friend can take your mind off the nausea and help it subside.
- Sip Cold Drinks Slowly: Dehydration can worsen nausea, so it’s important to stay hydrated. Take small, regular sips of a cold beverage like water, clear juice, or an electrolyte drink. Avoid gulping down large amounts at once, which can sometimes make nausea worse.
- Try Ginger or Peppermint Tea: Ginger and peppermint are well-known natural remedies for nausea. Ginger tea or peppermint tea can help soothe your stomach and ease feelings of sickness.
- Eat Ginger-Containing Foods: Ginger biscuits or ginger ale (made with real ginger) are easy-to-digest options that can provide relief. Ginger’s natural properties can help settle your stomach.
- Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals: An empty stomach can sometimes contribute to nausea, but overeating can also trigger it. Opt for smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day instead of large, heavy ones. This can help maintain stable blood sugar levels and prevent your stomach from becoming too full or too empty.
What To Avoid When You’re Nauseous
Certain habits and foods can actually worsen nausea, so it’s best to avoid them when you’re feeling sick.
- Strong-Smelling Foods: Cooking or eating foods with strong odors can intensify nausea. Opt for bland, lightly scented foods until you feel better.
- Hot, Fried, or Greasy Foods: These types of foods are harder to digest and can irritate your stomach, making nausea worse. Choose easily digestible options instead.
- Eating Too Quickly: Eating rapidly can overwhelm your digestive system and exacerbate nausea. Eat slowly and mindfully to give your body time to process the food.
- Large Drinks With Meals: Drinking too much liquid with your meals can fill your stomach quickly and potentially worsen nausea. Sip drinks between meals rather than with them.
- Lying Down Immediately After Eating: Lying down right after eating can slow digestion and increase the likelihood of nausea. Try to remain upright for at least 30 minutes after meals.
- Tight Clothing: Clothes that are tight around your waist or abdomen can put pressure on your stomach and worsen feelings of nausea. Wear loose, comfortable clothing when you’re feeling unwell.
When Nausea is Accompanied by Vomiting
If your nausea is accompanied by vomiting, it’s important to be aware of the risk of dehydration. Vomiting expels fluids from your body, and if these aren’t replaced, dehydration can occur, which can make you feel even worse.
Find out what to do if you’re vomiting to learn about rehydration strategies and when to seek medical attention for vomiting.
Non-Urgent Medical Advice: When to See a Doctor for Nausea
While occasional nausea is usually not a cause for concern, there are times when it’s important to seek medical advice. Consult a doctor if:
- Your nausea persists for more than a few days and doesn’t improve. Persistent nausea could be a sign of an underlying medical condition that needs to be diagnosed and treated.
- You experience frequent episodes of nausea that keep returning. Recurring nausea can significantly impact your quality of life and may indicate an ongoing health issue.
A doctor can investigate the potential cause of your nausea and recommend appropriate treatments. They may prescribe anti-nausea medication if necessary to help alleviate your symptoms. If you are unable to see your GP, you can call 111 for advice on your next steps.
Immediate Medical Attention: When Nausea Could Indicate a Serious Problem
In some cases, nausea can be a symptom of a serious medical emergency. Call 999 immediately if you suddenly feel nauseous and experience any of the following symptoms:
- Chest pain that feels tight or heavy: This could be a sign of a heart problem.
- Pain that radiates to your arms, back, neck, or jaw: This type of pain, along with nausea, can be a key indicator of a heart attack.
- Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing combined with nausea can also be a symptom of a heart attack or other serious condition.
These symptoms, along with sudden nausea, could be indicative of a heart attack and require immediate medical intervention.
Common Causes of Nausea
Many different factors can lead to feelings of nausea. Paying attention to any other symptoms you’re experiencing can sometimes offer clues about the underlying cause. However, it’s important to avoid self-diagnosing and to consult a healthcare professional if you are concerned.
Here are some potential causes of nausea based on accompanying symptoms:
| Other Symptoms | Possible Cause |
|---|---|
| Diarrhea or Vomiting | Norovirus or Food Poisoning |
| Headache and High Temperature | Infection, such as Flu |
| Heartburn or Bloating After Eating | Acid Reflux |
| Headache and Sensitivity to Light or Sound | Migraine |
| Dizziness | Labyrinthitis or Vertigo |
Beyond these specific associations, other common reasons for feeling nauseous include:
- Pregnancy: Morning sickness, characterized by nausea and vomiting, is a common experience during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. (Morning Sickness Information)
- Motion Sickness: Travel by car, boat, plane, or train can trigger motion sickness in some individuals, leading to nausea and vomiting. (Motion Sickness Information)
- Anxiety: Feelings of anxiety, stress, and panic can sometimes manifest physically as nausea. (Anxiety Information)
- Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol intake can irritate the stomach lining and lead to nausea and vomiting.
- Medications: Nausea is a common side effect of many medications. If you’ve recently started a new medication, check the information leaflet to see if nausea is a listed side effect.
- Recent Surgery: Nausea is a frequent post-operative symptom, often related to anesthesia or pain medications.
Important Reminder: If you’re unsure about the cause of your nausea, don’t hesitate to try the self-care tips mentioned earlier. If your nausea doesn’t improve within a few days, or if you are concerned, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate guidance.
