Feeling Sick Nausea

Overview

Nausea is that uncomfortable, queasy feeling that you might be sick (vomit). It can be mild — like a passing wave of unease — or strong enough to make you retch. Feeling sick is a symptom, not a condition on its own. It is your body's way of saying something is out of balance, whether that is a stomach bug, a bumpy car ride, a new medicine, or a stressful day.

Yes — almost everyone feels sick at some point. It is one of the most common reasons people contact a doctor or pharmacist.

Anyone can feel sick, at any age. It is especially common in pregnant women, people who get migraines, children with tummy bugs, people who get travel sick, and people taking certain medicines such as chemotherapy.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• A queasy or churning feeling in your stomach
• The urge to be sick, sometimes with retching
• More saliva in your mouth than usual
• Cold, clammy skin and sweating
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Loss of appetite and going off food
• Tummy ache or a bloated feeling
• Vomiting (being sick), sometimes bringing relief afterwards

Symptoms in children

• Young children may not be able to say 'I feel sick' — watch for paleness, clinginess, crying or refusing food
• Vomiting, sometimes suddenly and without warning
• Fewer wet nappies or less urine than usual (a sign of dehydration)
• Sunken eyes, a dry mouth, or no tears when crying
• Being unusually sleepy or hard to wake
• A high temperature alongside the sickness

Symptoms in older adults

• Feeling sick can be the main sign of illness, with few other symptoms
• New confusion or drowsiness can be a sign of dehydration
• A sudden dislike of food or weight loss
• Nausea caused by medicines is more common in later life
• Dehydration develops faster, so fluids matter even more

Causes

Main causes

• Stomach bugs and food poisoning (gastroenteritis) — the most common short-term cause
• Travel sickness (motion sickness) from cars, boats or planes
• Pregnancy, especially in the first few months
• Migraine, which often brings nausea along with the headache
• Medicines — many can cause nausea as a side effect
• Reflux, where stomach acid comes back up
• Stress and anxiety, which can upset the stomach directly
• Inner ear problems such as vertigo or labyrinthitis
• Drinking too much alcohol
• More serious causes such as appendicitis, gallbladder problems, a blocked bowel, kidney infection, or a head injury — these usually come with other strong symptoms

Risk factors

• Being pregnant
• A history of migraine
• Being prone to travel sickness
• Taking medicines for cancer treatment or strong pain relief
• Ongoing anxiety or stress
• Eating food that has not been stored or cooked safely
• Long-term conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease
• Drinking a lot of alcohol regularly

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• You cannot keep any fluids down for several hours
• You have signs of dehydration — dizziness, dark urine, dry mouth, confusion
• There is blood in your vomit
• You have severe or one-sided tummy pain
• You have a stiff neck, a bad headache, or a rash that does not fade when pressed
• You are pregnant and cannot keep food or drink down
• Your child is unusually sleepy, has fewer wet nappies, or will not drink

Book a routine appointment if:

• Feeling sick keeps coming back over weeks or months
• You are losing weight without trying
• Nausea is affecting your eating, sleep or daily life
• You think a medicine might be the cause — ask your pharmacist or doctor before stopping anything
• You have other symptoms such as heartburn, bloating or changes in your bowel habits

Diagnosis

A doctor will usually start by asking questions: when the sickness started, what makes it better or worse, what else you have noticed, what medicines you take, and whether you could be pregnant. They will then check you over — your temperature, your tummy, and how hydrated you are. Often that is enough, and no tests are needed. If the cause is not clear, or the sickness keeps coming back, they may arrange some tests.

Tests that may be done

• A urine test — simple, and can check for pregnancy or infection
• Blood tests to check hydration, salt levels, liver and kidney function
• A stool (poo) sample if an infection is suspected
• A breath test or stool test for certain stomach bugs such as Helicobacter pylori
• An endoscopy — a thin camera tube passed down the throat to look at the stomach, done with sedation
• An ultrasound scan of the tummy, for example to check the gallbladder
• Allergy or food intolerance tests if a food trigger is suspected

What to expect at your appointment

Most appointments are short and nothing invasive happens. Write down your symptoms and questions beforehand, and bring a list of any medicines or supplements you take — that alone can solve the puzzle. If tests are needed, ask what they involve and when you will get the results.

Treatment

Treatment depends completely on the cause. For most people, the body settles things by itself within a day or two, and the main job is to stay hydrated and comfortable. When there is an underlying cause — an infection, a migraine, reflux, or a medicine side effect — treating that cause is what stops the nausea.

Self-care at home

• Sip small amounts of fluid often — water, or an oral rehydration drink if you have been vomiting
• Try a little bland food when you feel ready — toast, crackers, rice, or plain biscuits
• Avoid strong smells, fried food, spicy food and alcohol until you feel better
• Get some fresh air and rest — lying down quietly often helps
• Ginger in tea or biscuits helps some people, and is generally safe in normal food amounts
• Acupressure wristbands help some people with travel sickness or pregnancy sickness
• Do not force yourself to eat large meals — little and often works better
• Ask your pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter remedy, especially if you take other medicines or are pregnant

Medical treatments

Doctors can prescribe anti-sickness medicines when nausea is severe, does not settle, or is caused by something like pregnancy sickness, migraine or chemotherapy. Which one is chosen depends on the cause and on your circumstances — for example, whether you are pregnant. It is important to only take these on the advice of a healthcare professional, because they can interact with other medicines. Alongside this, your doctor will treat the underlying cause if one is found, such as an infection, reflux or an inner-ear problem.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is not a treatment for nausea itself. Occasionally, though, nausea is caused by a problem that does need an operation — such as appendicitis, gallstones, or a blockage in the bowel — and in those cases treating the cause is what relieves the sickness.

Living with this condition

If nausea is an ongoing part of your life, small routines make a real difference. Eat little and often rather than large meals, keep water within reach, and notice which smells, foods or situations set it off so you can plan around them.

Lifestyle tips

• Eat small meals every few hours instead of three big ones
• Keep a simple diary of when nausea hits and what you ate or did beforehand — patterns soon appear
• Cut down on alcohol and strong coffee
• Avoid lying down straight after eating if you get reflux
• Try seated acupressure bands or a travel sickness remedy before journeys
• Open a window or step outside when a smell triggers the feeling
• Get regular sleep — tiredness makes nausea feel worse

Diet and exercise

Choose foods that are easy on the stomach: plain toast, rice, pasta, potatoes, bananas and clear soups. Cold foods often smell less, so they can be easier to manage than hot meals. Once you feel better, gently build your usual diet back. Light exercise such as a short walk can help digestion and lift your mood, but do not push yourself while you are still feeling sick — rest first, move later.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Feeling sick for days or weeks is genuinely draining, and it is normal to feel low, anxious or frustrated about it. Nausea and anxiety feed into each other — worry can upset your stomach, and a churning stomach can make you worry. Tell your doctor how it is affecting you emotionally, not just physically. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local emergency number or a crisis support line straight away.

Prevention

Some causes can be prevented and others cannot. You can lower your risk of tummy bugs by washing your hands well, keeping food properly chilled and cooked, and avoiding food that has been left out. If you know a medicine or a journey makes you sick, plan ahead — your pharmacist can suggest options before you travel or start treatment.

Vaccines

Some causes of vomiting and nausea can be prevented by routine vaccinations offered to babies and young children, such as those that protect against certain stomach viruses. Ask your local health service which vaccines are recommended where you live.

Screening programmes

There is no general screening test for feeling sick. But if nausea is ongoing and no clear cause is found, your doctor may suggest tests to rule out conditions that are better caught early — this is a normal part of good care, not a reason to worry.

Complications

If left untreated

• Dehydration, which can become serious quickly in babies, children and older adults
• Loss of salts and minerals in the body, which can cause weakness, cramps or confusion
• Weight loss and poor nutrition if eating is difficult for a long time
• Worn tooth enamel from repeated vomiting — rinse with water rather than brushing straight away
• Rarely, a small tear in the food pipe from forceful vomiting
• Strain on family life, work and mood when nausea drags on

Long-term outlook

For most people, feeling sick is short-lived and passes with rest and fluids. Even when there is an underlying cause, there is a lot that can be done — from simple changes at home to treatments your doctor can prescribe. If nausea has been going on for a while, it is worth getting it looked at, because finding the cause usually means finding the way to feel better.

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