Nausea and stomach medicine

Indigestion or acid reflux can irritate the upper digestive tract. Gastritis and peptic irritation may cause nausea with burning or upper abdominal discomfort, while gastroenteritis and food poisoning often bring vomiting or loose stools. Gallstones can cause pain after meals. Heat exhaustion and low blood sugar can also produce nausea, weakness or sweating.

A medicine may ease a symptom without treating the cause. Tell a clinician about pregnancy, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, allergies, and every prescription, non-prescription medicine and supplement you take.

Take small, frequent sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. Choose bland foods when able, avoid heavy or greasy meals, and rest in a cool place. Check whether a medicine should be taken with food; never exceed its label instructions or combine products with the same ingredient. A pharmacist can help select an appropriate option and check interactions.

Seek urgent help for severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, blood or coffee-ground material in vomit, black stools, fainting, confusion, trouble breathing, or inability to keep fluids down. Get medical advice for persistent nausea, yellowing of the skin or eyes, fever with marked weakness, or symptoms after suspected contaminated food.

Ask which cause fits your pattern, whether you need an examination or tests, how long to try a medicine, and what to do if nausea returns. Share the timing of meals, pain, bowel changes, vomiting, recent travel, heat exposure and new medicines.