Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Causes of nausea: gut infections, indigestion, migraine, pregnancy, medicines and other conditions, and serious causes.
Nausea is the unpleasant feeling that you may vomit. It is a symptom, not a disease, and has many possible causes.
Stomach and gut causes
Brain and ear causes
Hormones and body state
Medicines and treatments
Antibiotics, painkillers, iron tablets, chemotherapy, anaesthesia, opioids and many others can cause nausea.
Lifestyle and mental causes
Serious causes to know about
Heart attack can show as nausea, sweating and chest pressure, mostly in women, older adults and people with diabetes. Meningitis, bowel obstruction and appendicitis also cause nausea along with other warning signs.
Ayurvedic view
Ayurveda links nausea (Hrillasa) with aggravated Pitta and Kapha and weak digestion. This is a traditional framework and does not replace finding the medical cause.
Key point
Nausea is a symptom. Finding the cause is what decides treatment.
Remember
Most nausea passes with rest and fluids. See a doctor if it lasts more than 2 days, keeps returning or comes with warning signs.
Written By
Dr. Daksh
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
Read Our Editorial Policy
Want to know more?
Have issue with the content?
Report Problem
Explore more articles about this topic
Types of nausea: acute and chronic, gut, brain, inner-ear, hormonal, drug-induced and pregnancy-related forms.
Ayurvedic view of nausea as Hrillasa: ginger, fennel and mint as comfort measures, limited evidence and cautions.
Nausea diet: small sips, bland dry food, gentle recovery meals, foods to avoid and notes for children and pregnancy.
Nausea symptoms: queasiness, sweating, dizziness and clues to the cause, with warning signs that need urgent care.
How nausea is treated: check red flags, ease symptoms, replace fluids, find and treat the cause.
Nausea medicines: ondansetron, antihistamines, vitamin B6 and treating the cause, with cautions for children and pregnancy.
