Nausea
Nausea is defined as a feeling of unease and discomfort, accompanied by the urge to vomit. This unpleasant sensation typically manifests at the back of the throat, chest, and upper abdomen. It is important to note that nausea is not classified as a standalone illness; rather, it is a symptom that can accompany a variety of medical conditions and health issues.
Causes of Sudden Nausea
There are over 700 potential causes associated with the experience of nausea. Here are some of the most common:
Gastrointestinal Issues
- Gallstones: These are a common issue, particularly among women. In addition to vomiting and nausea, gallstones can cause pain in the back, shoulder, or upper abdomen. Symptoms often worsen after eating, especially following fatty meals.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): This common condition arises when stomach contents flow back into the esophagus and is characterized by symptoms like heartburn and nausea. Symptoms typically intensify after meals, at night, or when lying down.
- Peptic Ulcers: These are sores in the stomach, small intestine, or esophagus, often caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori or the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen. Peptic ulcers cause discomfort, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, and a feeling of fullness after small meals.
- Hepatitis: Hepatitis can result from viral infections, autoimmune conditions, or alcohol consumption. Symptoms may include nausea, jaundice, fever, headache, and joint pain.
- Hiatal Hernia: This occurs due to a weakness or small opening in the abdominal wall, allowing part of the stomach to push into the chest cavity. Hiatal hernias can cause reflux symptoms, as well as pain and discomfort, sometimes leading to nausea.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): This category encompasses Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, both of which lead to inflammation in various parts of the gastrointestinal tract and can cause chronic nausea.
- Bowel Obstruction: This is characterized by a blockage in the small or large intestine. Common symptoms include pain, nausea, and vomiting.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can result in pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
Neurological Disorders
These may include:
- Migraine: Migraine headaches are often linked to symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
- Inner Ear Problems: Conditions such as Ménière’s disease, which affects hearing and balance, can lead to nausea.
- Increased Intracranial Pressure: Conditions or injuries that lead to elevated pressure within the skull can cause nausea. Examples include brain swelling due to trauma or certain infections like meningitis and encephalitis.
- Sensory Triggers: Exposure to certain odors and sounds can evoke feelings of nausea.
- Heat-related Illnesses: Severe sunburns and dehydration can also instigate nausea.
Psychological Factors
Many psychological factors can trigger feelings of nausea. For example, medical students often experience nausea and dizziness when encountering corpse dissection for the first time. The following psychological conditions can also contribute to nausea:
- Anorexia Nervosa:
- Bulimia Nervosa:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
- Social Anxiety Disorder:
Other Causes and Conditions
These may include:
- Motion Sickness: This can result from riding in vehicles over rough terrain, leading to a mismatch between signals sent to the brain and sensory perceptions, causing nausea and vertigo.
- Severe Pain: Intense pain from conditions like kidney stones, gallstones, or pancreatitis can lead to nausea.
- Overeating and Certain Foods: Consuming spicy or greasy foods may trigger nausea.
- Medication Side Effects: Some drugs, such as chemotherapy agents, opioid analgesics, and antibiotics, can induce nausea.
- Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes may experience nausea due to gastroparesis, a condition characterized by delayed stomach emptying. Causes of nausea can also include fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
- Respiratory Infections: Conditions like pneumonia and bronchitis may cause nausea, particularly if the infection is located near the diaphragm.
- Septicemia: This condition involves a systemic infection that spreads through the bloodstream and can lead to nausea.
- Pregnancy: Nausea and vomiting often occur during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and typically affect many women during the first trimester, usually subsiding by the fourth month. However, in rare cases, women may experience severe symptoms known as hyperemesis gravidarum, which can lead to dehydration and weight loss.
When to See a Doctor
Consult a healthcare professional if:
- You suspect that your nausea is related to poisoning.
- The nausea or vomiting persists for more than 24 hours.
- Nausea is accompanied by severe abdominal pain.
- It occurs alongside a severe headache and neck stiffness.
- You observe signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, decreased urination, or dark-colored urine.
- There is blood in your vomit, or you experience lethargy, confusion, or decreased alertness, particularly if vomiting is accompanied by fever, diarrhea, or rapid breathing and heart rate.