How is nausea treated?

Nausea can accompany a stomach infection, food poisoning, reflux, gastritis, migraine, medication side effect, pregnancy, motion sickness, or another illness. Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fever, headache, dizziness, or vomiting help guide the assessment. Treatment is different when nausea comes from dehydration, a digestive condition, a medicine, or a problem outside the digestive system.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink rather than a large glass at once. When able, try small portions of plain food such as rice, toast, crackers, or soup. Avoid strong smells, alcohol, very fatty meals, and lying flat immediately after eating. Fresh air and slow breathing may help motion-related nausea. A clinician or pharmacist can advise on an anti-sickness medicine; check first if you are pregnant, have another illness, or take regular medicines. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without discussing the suspected side effect.

Seek urgent care for severe or worsening abdominal pain, vomit containing blood or material like coffee grounds, a swollen abdomen, chest pain, confusion, fainting, or a severe headache with neck stiffness. Prompt assessment is needed if you cannot keep fluids down, pass very little urine, or show signs of dehydration. Ongoing or recurring nausea also merits a clinical review.

Ask what cause best fits your symptoms, whether you need tests, and which fluids or foods are suitable. Mention recent travel, new medicines, pregnancy possibility, abdominal pain, and any change in urine.