Bloated stomach, burping and nausea

Reflux or gastritis may cause upper-abdominal discomfort, burping, and a sick feeling. Food poisoning or gastroenteritis can bring nausea with diarrhoea, vomiting, cramps, or fever. Gallstones may cause pain beneath the ribs, particularly after rich meals. Heat exhaustion can cause nausea with weakness, headache, sweating, or dizziness. Low blood sugar may cause nausea with shaking, sweating, or confusion, especially in someone using diabetes medicine.

Take small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink, and choose bland foods when you can tolerate them. Eat slowly, avoid fizzy drinks and alcohol, and remain upright after eating. Keep track of vomiting, stool changes, pain location, fever, recent meals, heat exposure, and medicines. People with diabetes should follow their sick-day plan and check glucose as advised.

Seek urgent help for severe or localised abdominal pain, green or bloody vomit, black stool, fainting, confusion, severe dehydration, chest pain, or yellow skin or eyes. Prompt assessment is needed when symptoms follow heat exposure, continue without improvement, or prevent fluids staying down.

Ask whether the timing and associated symptoms fit reflux, infection, gallstones, heat illness, or low blood sugar; whether medicines could contribute; and how to maintain hydration safely.