Nausea vs vomiting: what is the difference?

Nausea is the uncomfortable feeling that you may vomit, while vomiting is the physical expulsion of stomach contents.

They can occur together, but either can occur alone. Nausea may reduce appetite or make smells and movement difficult to tolerate. Vomiting can lead to fluid loss and may make it harder to keep medicines or food down.

Focus on nausea when you feel queasy but have not been sick. Try quiet rest, fresh air if it feels helpful, and small sips of water. Bland foods can be easier than rich, greasy, or strongly scented meals when you feel able to eat.

Notice possible triggers such as travel, a new medicine, alcohol, anxiety, migraine, or a stomach illness. A pharmacist or clinician can help review medicines when nausea starts after a change in treatment.

Prioritise fluids when vomiting has occurred. Take frequent small sips rather than a large drink at once, and pause before trying again if a sip triggers further vomiting. Oral rehydration drinks may be useful when fluid and salts need replacing.

Return to food gradually after fluids stay down. Do not force solid food while active vomiting continues; the immediate aim is to avoid dehydration and identify any warning signs.

Repeated vomiting can cause dehydration. Dark urine, passing very little urine, marked thirst, dizziness on standing, dry mouth, unusual sleepiness, or confusion need prompt medical advice, especially for children, older adults, pregnant people, or anyone with a long-term health condition.

Seek urgent care for blood or coffee-ground-like material in vomit, green vomit, severe or worsening abdominal pain, a stiff neck with headache, chest pain, trouble breathing, or vomiting after a head injury.

Indigestion, reflux, bloating, gagging, and regurgitation can feel similar but are not the same as nausea or vomiting. Regurgitation is food or fluid coming back up without the forceful abdominal contractions typical of vomiting. Persistent upper abdominal discomfort may need a separate assessment.

If symptoms follow a suspected medicine, supplement, or food exposure, record what was taken and when symptoms started. That detail can help a clinician distinguish a side effect, infection, migraine-related symptoms, pregnancy-related symptoms, or another cause.

A clinician will ask when symptoms began, whether vomiting is present, what the vomit looks like, whether fluids stay down, and whether there is pain, fever, diarrhoea, headache, pregnancy, or recent medicine use. They may examine your abdomen and check for dehydration.

Treatment depends on the likely cause and the risk of dehydration. It may include hydration advice, review of medicines, treatment for an underlying problem, or an anti-sickness medicine when appropriate. Bring a list of medicines and note any recent travel or contact with others who were unwell.