Fatigue and nausea: what should you know?

Nausea can make eating and drinking difficult, which may deepen tiredness through fluid loss or low energy intake. A stomach infection may bring vomiting, diarrhoea, cramps or fever. Anaemia can present with fatigue and may also cause dizziness, breathlessness or paleness. Coeliac Disease can cause digestive symptoms and reduced nutrient absorption. Chronic Kidney Disease may cause persistent tiredness and nausea, particularly with swelling or changes in urination. Review recent medicines, alcohol use, sleep, stress and menstrual or pregnancy possibility with a clinician.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink if vomiting or diarrhoea is present. Choose plain, small meals when tolerated, avoid alcohol, and rest. Keep a note of when symptoms began, what you can keep down, urine changes, fever, pain and any new medicine. Arrange a GP assessment if symptoms persist, recur, or interfere with normal activities; evaluation may include an examination and blood or urine tests.

Seek urgent help for severe or worsening abdominal pain, confusion, fainting, chest pain, trouble breathing, blood in vomit or stool, repeated vomiting, or inability to keep fluids down. Prompt medical advice is also sensible for very little or dark urine, marked weakness, high fever, or possible pregnancy with pain or bleeding.

Could a medicine, anaemia, infection or dehydration explain these symptoms? Which tests are appropriate? What warning signs should make me seek urgent care?