Feeling sick after a stroke: what to know

Nausea or vomiting may occur during an acute stroke, with dizziness, balance disturbance, headache, or changes in alertness. During recovery, it may instead relate to medicine side effects, constipation, infection, reflux, dehydration, anxiety, or difficulty coordinating swallowing. Coughing, a wet voice, choking, or breathlessness during meals can signal that food or liquid is entering the airway. Blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, and other health problems may also shape the assessment.

If the feeling is mild, sit upright, take small sips only if swallowing is safe, and note food, medicines, movement, and timing. Follow the swallowing plan provided by the clinical team and do not change medication without advice. Arrange a review if symptoms continue, interfere with eating or drinking, or begin after a medicine change. A clinician may check hydration, swallowing, infection, and balance.

Call emergency services for sudden nausea with new facial drooping, weakness, numbness, speech trouble, confusion, vision loss, severe headache, or a major change in balance. Seek urgent help for repeated vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, choking or breathing difficulty, marked sleepiness, or signs of dehydration. Do not give food or drink to someone who is drowsy or having trouble swallowing.

Ask whether swallowing assessment is needed, which medicines may cause nausea, how to maintain fluids safely, and which symptoms mean emergency care. Mention vomiting, choking, bowel changes, dizziness, fever, and every non-prescription product being used.