All-day nausea: causes, self-care and warning signs

The feeling may occur with or without vomiting. Note when it began, whether food or movement affects it, and any accompanying pain, fever, diarrhoea, dizziness or missed period.

Digestive infections, food poisoning, acid reflux, gastritis and some medicines can cause nausea. Migraine, pregnancy, low blood glucose, heat illness, anxiety, gallbladder problems and liver inflammation are other possibilities. The pattern and accompanying symptoms help narrow the cause; nausea alone cannot identify it.

A clinician may ask about recent meals or travel, medicine changes, alcohol use, pregnancy possibility, bowel changes and the exact location of any abdominal discomfort.

Take frequent small sips of water or oral rehydration fluid. If you can eat, choose small bland meals and avoid rich, spicy or strongly scented foods. Fresh air and sitting upright after meals may ease symptoms. Do not drive if you feel faint or drowsy.

Review medicine labels, but do not stop a prescribed treatment without advice. Arrange a GP visit if nausea continues, repeatedly returns, disrupts eating or drinking, or follows a new medicine. A pregnancy test may be useful when pregnancy is possible.

Seek urgent medical help for severe or increasing abdominal pain, chest pain, a severe new headache, confusion, fainting, a stiff neck, blood or dark coffee-ground material in vomit, green vomit, or signs of marked dehydration such as very little urine and inability to keep fluids down.

Prompt assessment is also appropriate after a head injury, suspected poisoning, or heat exposure with weakness, dizziness or confusion. During pregnancy, urgent assessment is needed when vomiting prevents fluid intake or occurs with severe pain or bleeding.

Ask whether your symptom pattern points to a digestive, metabolic, medicine-related or pregnancy-related cause; whether any tests are appropriate; and which anti-nausea options are suitable with your current medicines and health conditions.