Why Do I Feel Nauseous? 7 Possible Explanations - Woman's Day

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Nausea is very common, but that doesn't mean it's any less likely to ruin your day. Just the way a runny nose is a symptom of allergies or a cold, a queasy stomach is often a suggestion of something larger at play.

“The potential causes of nausea can be quite extensive,” says Ayo Moses, MD, a family medicine physician with CareMount Medical in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, but we’ve narrowed down seven of common triggers below.

See your doctor if nausea lasts for two days or longer, and seek emergency care if you notice any of the following red flags alongside your nausea, suggests Mariea Snell, DNP, assistant professor and the coordinator of Doctor of Online Nursing Practice Programs for Maryville University in Saint Louis, Missouri: chest pain; change in vision; blood or something that looks like coffee grounds in vomit; blood in bowel movement; black, tar-like bowel movement; fever over 101 degrees; severe headache; stiff neck; confusion.

Pregnancy Hormones

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About 50 to 90 percent of all expecting moms experience nausea, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

“There's no way to completely prevent morning sickness. However, avoiding triggers such as strong odors, excessive fatigue, spicy foods, and foods high in sugar may help,” Moses says.

Early in pregnancy, certain smells, spicy foods, or heat might set off the stomachache spiral. Or there may be no clear prompt at all. Most often, the morning sickness is a result of hormonal fluctuations, Snell explains, and this often eases as the trimesters progress.

If it’s not too severe, you can try at-home fixes, such as eating small, frequent meals high in protein or carbs; brushing teeth immediately after eating; standing or sitting up, rather than lying down, immediately after eating; drinking cold, clear fizzy or sour drinks (think: ginger ale or lemonade).

Stress

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“Stress can impact the body in many ways. One of the most common physical manifestations of this is headache and nausea,” Snell says. “During periods of extreme stress, the body goes into ‘fight or flight mode’ and is on high alert. This causes the gastrointestinal tract to react to increasing cortisol and adrenaline levels.”

What comes next are the effects of that reaction: nausea, heartburn, and/or diarrhea.

“The best solution is to address the root cause of the stress and anxiety. Talking to a therapist is a great first start. You can also integrate more self care into your day, by doing things that reduce the stress (such as exercise, massage therapy, or spending time with friends),” Snell says.

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Food-borne Illness

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Food tainted by bacteria, viruses, or pathogens can do a number on your gut — and fast. Nearly 48 million Americans are affected by these illnesses each year, per the latest Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates. That’s about one in every seven of us.

Norovirus is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis. "Acute gastroenteritis is defined as diarrheal disease — three or more times per day — of rapid onset that lasts less than two weeks and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, or abdominal pain," Moses says.

Treat it with rest and hydrate with sports drinks and broths. Visit your MD if you can’t keep liquids in for 24 hours, or if you’ve been throwing up for two days or more.

Migraines

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Your body’s focus is diverted away from digestion when your head is pounding. “The GI tract will slow down during these periods of pain and any food you might have in your system is left sitting,” Snell says.

Nearly one in every five American women suffer from migraines, according to the Migraine Research Foundation, “a common and repeated disorder, the hallmark of which is a disabling headache generally associated with nausea, and/or light and sound sensitivity,” Moses says.

Consuming ginger root, vitamin B6, and peppermint can help ease the ache. As can eschewing the things that may trigger migraines, such as stress, hormonal changes, under-eating, weather fluctuations, sleep disturbances, or drinking alcohol.

“Keep a ‘headache calendar,’” Moses suggests. “Write down every time you have a migraine, plus what you ate and what you did before it started.” Then you can track certain patterns and try to spot things to steer clear of for fewer occurrences.

"Talk to your doctor about how you can treat the migraine along with the nausea. Most often, this involves using prescribed medications, such as Triptans," she says.

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Food Allergies or Overeating

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Underlying food allergies may be at play if your stomach acts up after meals. “If you know you have a particular food allergy, don’t eat it and be sure to report all allergies to your restaurant server when you dine out,” Snell says, and if you’re unsure if you’re allergic, speak to your doctor.

Beyond diagnosable allergies, overeating certain items can lead to stomach pain or heartburn.

“Heartburn, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can cause your stomach’s contents to come back up your esophagus when you eat. This creates a burning sensation that causes nausea,” Moses says.

To decrease symptoms and their severity , Moses and Snell recommend: raising the head of your bed by six to eight inches; skipping foods that aggravate your esophagus (often coffee, chocolate, alcohol, peppermint, spicy ingredients and/or fatty foods); quitting smoking; cutting back on the amount of alcohol you drink; not lying down for three hours after a meal.

Motion Sickness

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A bumpy ride can cause a crummy tummy.

“This movement can cause the messages transmitted to the brain to not sync up with the senses, leading to nausea, dizziness, or vomiting,” Moses says.

If you suffer from motion sickness, try to schedule your eating so you don’t consume a heavy meal before traveling.

“Eating light, carbohydrate-based foods like cereal an hour or two before you travel is ideal. On long journeys, try breaking the journey to have some fresh air, drink some cold water, and if possible, take a short walk,” he says.

If you can, sit near the front of a car, over the wing of a plane, or on the deck in the middle of a boat to minimize excess motion. Fresh air (such as opening a car window) may be helpful, too.

“Breathe deeply and slowly, and while focusing on your breathing, listen to music. This has been proven to be effective in clinical trials,” Moses says.

Ginger can improve motion sickness in some people, as can certain medicines. Speak with your doctor for her over the counter suggestions or a prescription, if required.

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Medication

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Speaking of medicine, one of the most common side effects for many is nausea. Pain relievers in the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) category, such as ibuprofen, can irritate stomach lining. Certain antibiotics can cause diarrhea, as the levels of bacteria in your intestines change.

Supplements and other medications may lead to constipation.Take all meds as recommended on the label (with or without food) and opt for coated pills, when possible. Visit your doctor for an alternate treatment method if the nausea persists.

Karla WalshFreelance Writer

Karla Walsh is a Des Moines, Iowa-based freelance writer, editor, freelance writing coach and level one sommelier who balances her love of food and drink with her passion for fitness (or tries to, at least!). She has over 15 years of professional experience covering food, wine, travel, nutrition, health, fitness, psychology, beauty, relationships and beyond.

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