Nausea and vomiting are common signs and symptoms that can be caused by numerous conditions. Nausea and vomiting most often are due to viral gastroenteritis — often called stomach flu — or the morning sickness of early pregnancy.
Many medications or substances can also cause nausea and vomiting, including marijuana (cannabis). Rarely, nausea and vomiting may indicate a serious or even life-threatening problem.
Call 911 or emergency medical assistance
Seek prompt medical attention if nausea and vomiting are accompanied by other warning signs, such as:
- Chest pain
- Severe abdominal pain or cramping
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- High fever and stiff neck
- Fecal material or fecal odor in the vomit
- Rectal bleeding
Seek immediate medical attention
Ask someone to drive you to urgent care or an emergency room if:
- Nausea and vomiting are accompanied by pain or a severe headache, especially if you haven't had this type of headache before
- You have signs or symptoms of dehydration — excessive thirst, dry mouth, infrequent urination, dark-colored urine and weakness, or dizziness or lightheadedness upon standing
- Your vomit contains blood, resembles coffee grounds or is green
Schedule a doctor's visit
Make an appointment with your doctor if:
- Vomiting lasts more than two days for adults, 24 hours for children under age 2 or 12 hours for infants
- You've had bouts of nausea and vomiting for longer than one month
- You've experienced unexplained weight loss along with nausea and vomiting
Take self-care measures while you wait for your appointment with your doctor:
- Take it easy. Too much activity and not getting enough rest might make nausea worse.
- Stay hydrated. Take small sips of cold, clear, carbonated or sour drinks, such as ginger ale, lemonade and water. Mint tea also may help. Oral rehydration solutions, such as Pedialyte, can aid in preventing dehydration.
- Avoid strong odors and other triggers. Food and cooking smells, perfume, smoke, stuffy rooms, heat, humidity, flickering lights, and driving are among the possible triggers of nausea and vomiting.
- Eat bland foods. Start with easily digested foods such as gelatin, crackers and toast. When you can keep these down, try cereal, rice, fruit, and salty or high-protein, high-carbohydrate foods. Avoid fatty or spicy foods. Wait to eat solid foods until about six hours after the last time you vomited.
- Use nonprescription motion sickness medicines. If you're planning a trip, nonprescription motion sickness drugs, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine (Bonine) may help calm your queasy stomach. For longer journeys, such as a cruise, ask your health care provider about prescription motion sickness adhesive patches, such as scopolamine (Transderm Scop).
If your queasiness stems from pregnancy, try nibbling on some crackers before you get out of bed in the morning.
Show References
- Nausea and vomiting. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/symptoms-of-gastrointestinal-disorders/nausea-and-vomiting. Accessed Feb. 17, 2022.
- Feldman M, et al., eds. Nausea and vomiting. In: Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Feb. 17, 2022.
- Longstreth GF. Approach to the adult with nausea and vomiting. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 17, 2022.
- Heckroth M, et al. Nausea and vomiting in 2021: A comprehensive update. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 2021; doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001485.
- Di Lorenzo C. Approach to the infant or child with nausea and vomiting. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 17, 2022.
- Wilkinson JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. March 2, 2022.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/nausea/basics/causes/sym-20050736