What should you know about frequent nausea?

It may occur with or without vomiting. Note when it begins, its relationship to meals, movement, heat or medicines, and whether pain, fever, diarrhoea, headache, dizziness or weight change accompanies it.

Acid Reflux and Gastritis can cause nausea with burning, belching or upper abdominal discomfort. Food Poisoning and Gastroenteritis often bring vomiting, diarrhoea or cramps. Gallstones may cause nausea with pain beneath the right ribs, especially after rich food. Heat Exhaustion can combine nausea with heavy sweating, weakness and dizziness. Hepatitis A and Hypoglycaemia are other possibilities with distinctive accompanying symptoms.

Take small, frequent sips of water or an oral rehydration drink and choose light foods when tolerated. Avoid alcohol, greasy meals and strong smells while symptoms settle. Rest somewhere cool if heat may be involved. Do not stop prescribed medicines without advice, but check whether nausea began after a new medicine. If you have diabetes, follow your personal low-blood-sugar plan and check glucose as directed.

Arrange a review if nausea keeps returning, limits eating or drinking, follows a new medicine, or comes with ongoing abdominal pain. Seek urgent help for blood or coffee-ground vomit, severe or worsening pain, fainting, confusion, stiff neck, chest pain, breathing difficulty, yellow skin, or inability to keep fluids down.

Ask which causes fit the timing and accompanying symptoms; whether you need examination, blood tests or another assessment; and which anti-nausea treatment is safe with your medicines. Mention pregnancy possibility, diabetes, recent travel, unusual food, alcohol use and any reduced urination.