How to relieve nausea

Nausea is the feeling that you may vomit. It can accompany stomach infections, food poisoning, reflux, gastritis or gallstones, and may also occur with heat exhaustion or low blood glucose. The symptom alone cannot identify its cause. The timing, associated pain, bowel changes, fever, medication exposure and ability to drink help a clinician decide what assessment is needed.

Rest somewhere cool and well ventilated, loosen tight clothing and take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. When food feels possible, choose small portions of plain, easy-to-digest food and avoid heavy, greasy meals, alcohol and strong odours. Ginger may suit some people, but check before using supplements if you are pregnant or take medicines. Do not repeatedly take anti-sickness medicine without advice, especially if the cause is unclear.

Arrange medical care if nausea keeps returning, prevents normal drinking or eating, follows a new medicine, or comes with ongoing abdominal pain, fever or weight loss. Seek urgent help for blood or coffee-ground material in vomit, black stools, severe abdominal or chest pain, confusion, fainting, a severe headache, stiff neck, or signs of dehydration such as very little urine and marked dizziness. Heat exposure with weakness or confusion needs prompt attention.

Ask what cause fits your symptom pattern, whether you need fluid or blood-glucose checks, and which anti-sickness treatment is suitable. Mention recent meals, travel, medicines, pregnancy possibility, pain, fever and how much fluid you have kept down.