Nausea and vomiting – adults

Causes

Common problems that may cause nausea and vomiting include:

Nausea and vomiting may also be early warning signs of more serious medical problems, such as:

Definition

Nausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach."

Vomiting or throwing-up forces the contents of the stomach up through the food pipe (esophagus) and out of the mouth.

References

Crane BT, Kaylie DM. Central vestibular disorders. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 168.

Guttman J. Nausea and vomiting. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 25.

McQuaid KR. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 118.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your provider will perform a physical exam and will look for signs of dehydration.

Your provider will ask questions about your symptoms, such as:

  • When did the vomiting begin? How long has it lasted? How often does it occur?
  • Does it occur after you eat, or on an empty stomach?
  • Are other symptoms present such as abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, or headaches?
  • Are you vomiting blood?
  • Are you vomiting anything that looks like coffee grounds?
  • Are you vomiting undigested food?
  • When was the last time you urinated?

Other questions you may be asked include:

  • Have you been losing weight?
  • Have you been traveling? Where?
  • What medicines do you take?
  • Did other people who ate at the same place as you have the same symptoms?
  • Are you pregnant or could you be pregnant?
  • Do you use marijuana? If yes, how often do you use it?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

Depending on the cause and how much extra fluids you need, you may have to stay in the hospital or clinic for a period of time. You may need fluids given through your veins (intravenous or IV).

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call 911 or the local emergency number or go to an emergency room if you:

  • Think the vomiting is from poisoning
  • Notice blood or dark, coffee-colored material in the vomit

Call a provider right away or seek medical care if you or another person has:

  • Been vomiting for longer than 24 hours
  • Been unable to keep any fluids down for 12 hours or more
  • Headache or stiff neck
  • Not urinated for 8 or more hours
  • Severe stomach or belly pain
  • Vomited 3 or more times in 1 day

Signs of dehydration include:

  • Crying without tears
  • Dry mouth
  • Increased thirst
  • Eyes that appear sunken
  • Skin changes: For example, if you touch or squeeze the skin, it doesn't bounce back the way it usually does
  • Urinating less often or having dark yellow urine

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