What should you know about daily nausea?

Nausea is the feeling that you may vomit, and it can occur with or without vomiting. Acid reflux, gastritis, gallstones, food poisoning and gastroenteritis can cause it. Heat exhaustion, low blood sugar, hepatitis A and medication effects are other possibilities. The timing after meals, relation to movement, bowel changes, fever, pain, pregnancy possibility and recent travel can help a clinician narrow the causes. Nausea by itself does not identify one diagnosis.

Take small, frequent sips of water or an oral rehydration drink and choose light foods if tolerated. Avoid large meals, alcohol and strong smells; sit upright after eating. Keep a brief record of foods, medicines, vomiting, urine output, pain and temperature. Do not stop essential prescribed treatment or take anti-nausea medicine borrowed from someone else. Arrange a medical review when nausea continues, keeps returning or prevents normal food and fluid intake; bring your medicine list and any pregnancy or travel information.

Get urgent help for severe abdominal pain, a swollen or rigid abdomen, vomit containing blood or green fluid, black stools, confusion, fainting, severe headache, stiff neck, chest pain or trouble breathing. Prompt assessment is also needed if you cannot keep fluids down, pass very little urine, develop yellow skin or eyes, or become unusually weak. Children, older adults and people with significant medical conditions can become dehydrated quickly.

Ask: Could a medicine or stomach condition be causing this? Do I need tests? How can I protect hydration? Which anti-nausea options are suitable for me? Which changes mean I should seek urgent care?