Nausea: what causes it and how to feel better fast

Nausea is your body’s way of saying something’s off in your stomach or brain. It can come from simple things—like overeating or motion sickness—or from meds, infections, pregnancy, and serious conditions. The goal: stop the nausea, prevent dehydration, and know when to see a doctor.

Quick, practical relief you can try now

Sip slowly. Small sips of water, clear broth, or an oral rehydration solution every few minutes keep you from getting dehydrated. Try ice chips if liquids upset you. Avoid big meals until the nausea eases.

Ginger works for many people. Sip ginger tea or chew a small piece of candied ginger. Peppermint tea or sniffing fresh peppermint can calm the stomach, too. Eat bland, dry foods—toast, crackers, plain rice—when you’re ready to eat (the BRAT approach).

Move carefully. Sit up after eating and get fresh air. For motion sickness, face forward, fix your eyes on the horizon, and avoid reading. An acupressure wristband (P6 point) helps some people during travel.

Over-the-counter options include dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine for motion sickness. Be cautious: these can cause drowsiness. For persistent or severe nausea, doctors may prescribe ondansetron (Zofran), promethazine, or metoclopramide—each has specific uses and side effects, so talk to a provider before taking them.

Causes to consider and when to call a doctor

Common triggers: viral gastroenteritis (stomach bug), food poisoning, migraine, pregnancy (morning sickness), motion sickness, and medication side effects. Meds that often cause nausea include antibiotics, opioids, NSAIDs, metformin, and many chemotherapy drugs.

Seek medical care now if you have severe abdominal pain, a high fever, bloody or bile-colored vomit, signs of dehydration (dizziness, very dry mouth, low urine output), difficulty breathing, or confusion. For kids, infants, pregnant people, and older adults, act sooner—vomiting can become dangerous fast.

Pregnancy-specific: mild nausea is common early in pregnancy. If you can’t keep fluids down, lose a lot of weight, or can’t work because of vomiting, call your provider—treatment for hyperemesis gravidarum is available. First-line therapy in pregnancy often includes doxylamine plus pyridoxine (a combo many providers recommend).

If meds are the suspect, don’t stop prescription drugs without advice. Your doctor can change the dose or switch medicines, or add an anti-nausea drug that’s safe with your treatment.

Track what triggers your nausea and what helps. That information helps your doctor find the right fix faster. If nausea keeps coming back or worsens, get checked—there’s usually a clear, treatable reason behind it.