Nausea and Vomiting—Adult

How to Say It: nah-zhuh and vah-meh-ting

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

Definition

Nausea is an uneasy feeling in the stomach that may make a person want to vomit. Vomiting is throwing up stomach contents through the mouth.

Causes

Many illnesses can cause nausea and vomiting, such as:

Motion sickness
Viral infections, such as the flu
Food poisoning

Serious problems that can cause nausea and vomiting are:

Heart attack
Kidney or liver disorders
Nervous system disorders
Cancer, including brain tumors
Concussion
Brain disorders
Appendicitis
Migraine headache
Intestinal obstruction

Other causes may be:

Overeating
Stress
Pregnancy
Cancer treatments
General anesthesia
Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa
Balance disorders, such as vertigo

Risk Factors

The risk of this problem is higher in people who have a condition or disease that can cause nausea and vomiting.

Symptoms

Some people may have other symptoms in addition to nausea and vomiting, such as:

Feeling very tired
Vomiting blood
Vomit that looks like coffee grounds
Severe headache
Severe diarrhea
Stiff neck
Rapid breathing or heartbeat
Severe belly pain
Confusion
Lack of alertness
Chest pain

Diagnosis

You will be asked about your nausea and vomiting. You will also be asked about your health history. A physical exam will be done.

Blood tests will be done. Some people may be given a pregnancy test.

Images may be taken of your bodily structures. This can be done with:

Abdominal Ultrasound

The doctor uses a hand-held instrument called a transducer, which uses sound waves to make images of your abdomen.

Treatment

Any underlying causes will need to be treated. Most people are able to manage nausea and vomiting on their own. Some things that may help are:

Ways to Control Nausea

Drink clear liquids like water, juice, or broth.
Eat light foods that do not cause stomach upset.
Eat and drink slowly.
Eat smaller meals.
Eat more often.
Rest after eating.
Eat foods from all the food groups. This will ensure proper nutrition.

Ways to Control Vomiting

Rest as needed.
Slowly drink larger amounts of clear liquids like water, juice, or broth.
Do not eat solid foods until vomiting has passed.
Do not stop taking medicine unless advised to do so.

Vomiting may cause dehydration. An oral rehydrating solution (ORS) can help.

There may be times when symptoms will need to be treated by a doctor. Medicine may be given to ease symptoms.

Prevention

The risk of this problem may be lowered by:

Eat small meals throughout the day.
Eat slowly.
Rest after eating.
Drink liquids between meals, instead of during meals.
Practice proper hand hygiene before eating, after using the bathroom, and after contact with people who are sick.
Handle food properly.

RESOURCES:

Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians
https://familydoctor.org

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders
https://www.niddk.nih.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
https://www.cag-acg.org

Canadian Digestive Health Foundation
http://www.cdhf.ca

References:

Nausea and vomiting. American College of Gastroenterology website. Available at: https://gi.org/topics/nausea-and-vomiting. Accessed August 20, 2021.

Nausea and vomiting. Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: https://familydoctor.org/symptom/nausea-and-vomiting. Accessed August 20, 2021.

Nausea and vomiting in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/approach-to/nausea-and-vomiting-in-adults. Accessed August 20, 2021.

Last reviewed July 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board James Cornell, MD
Last Updated: 8/20/2021

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