Nausea describes when a person feels as though they might vomit. Constant nausea is when this feeling lasts for long periods, which may come and go. It typically occurs due to an underlying condition.
Nausea is a symptom of an underlying condition. It can also be a side effect of some medications. People with constant nausea should speak with their doctor to determine the cause.
In this article, we will look at some common causes, treatments, and home remedies for constant nausea.
People sometimes describe nausea as feeling queasy, feeling sick, or having an upset stomach. Some people with nausea may also vomit.
Nausea is not a disease, but a symptom of many different medical conditions. Sometimes people with nausea will experience other symptoms, such as:
- increased production of saliva
- dizziness
- light-headedness
- trouble swallowing
- changes in skin temperature
- rapid heartbeat
According to the American Family Physician (AFP), acute nausea lasts for 1 month or less. Chronic nausea lasts for more than 1 month.
When evaluating a person who is constantly nauseous, a doctor will ask them detailed questions to determine the cause. This will include questions about:
- when the nausea began
- when it comes and goes
- the duration of each episode
- whether they vomit, and if so, what the vomit looks like
- other associated symptoms
Some causes of constant nausea may include:
Pregnancy
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), women often feel nauseous after around 9 weeks of pregnancy.
Although many people refer to nausea and vomiting in pregnancy as morning sickness, it can occur at any time of the day. Nausea and vomiting are not harmful to the baby, but it can affect a woman’s quality of life.
Mild nausea during pregnancy involves feeling temporarily nauseous and vomiting 1–2 times each day. Women who experience nausea for several hours and vomit more often have severe nausea.
Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form of pregnancy-related nausea, which may mean a woman has to spend time in the hospital. According to ACOG, women with hyperemesis gravidarum can lose 5% of their prepregnancy body weight and may experience dehydration.
An article in the AFP recommends that when doctors treat people of childbearing age for nausea and vomiting, they must consider pregnancy as a possible cause.
Gastroparesis
During digestion, the stomach contracts and empties food into the small intestine. Gastroparesis occurs when the stomach does not empty properly. One
- feeling full quickly
- abdominal pain
- bloating
- weight loss
- vomiting a few hours after meals
Common causes of gastroparesis include diabetes, medications, and surgery. However, sometimes doctors cannot determine the exact cause.
Bowel obstruction
A bowel obstruction happens when the intestines become wholly or partially blocked. This prevents food from traveling through the digestive system. According to
- abdominal pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- constipation
- bloating
Other conditions can also cause constant nausea. Digestive conditions that can cause frequent nausea include:
- dyspepsia
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- peptic ulcer
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- food intolerance
However, according to the AFP, nausea is not the main or only symptom of these conditions.
A review in
- anxiety disorders
- eating disorders
- depression
Some
- frequent migraine headaches
- increased intracranial pressure due to a mass, blood clot, or hemorrhage
- demyelinating disorders
- seizure disorders
A rare condition called cyclic vomiting syndrome can also cause frequent bouts of nausea, as it involves repeated cycles of nausea, vomiting, and tiredness.
Ear conditions such as Ménière’s disease or labyrinthitis can cause nausea, in addition to dizziness and vertigo.
The review also highlights drugs that can cause nausea as a side effect, including:
- hormones (e.g., birth control pills)
- antibiotics
- antivirals
- anticonvulsants
- opioids
- nicotine
- gastrointestinal medications
- cardiovascular medications
- medications to treat Parkinson’s disease
Some people may want to stop taking their medications because they experience nausea. However, people should always speak with their doctor before stopping or changing any of the medications they take.
According to the
For example, people with cancer of the esophagus may experience symptoms such as:
- pain or discomfort in the belly
- nausea and vomiting
- loss of appetite
- fatigue or weakness
- vomiting blood or passing blood in the stool
- weight loss
- feeling full quickly when eating
However, different types of cancer cause a variety of symptoms. Some cancers may not present any obvious early symptoms. The
- the type of cancer they have
- the type of treatment they receive
- any other medications they take
- slow digestion or constipation
- inner ear problems
- electrolyte levels
- any infections they have
- stress or anxiety
Cancer treatment can also cause nausea. A person can find out if the treatment they need is likely to cause nausea by looking at whether that treatment has high, moderate, low, or minimal risk.
People who need cancer treatments that cause nausea and vomiting should speak with their doctors about how to reduce the side effects.
Once a doctor determines the cause of constant nausea, they may recommend treatments for the underlying condition.
To control nausea, they may also prescribe antiemetic drugs, which stop people from vomiting. The following types of medications have an antiemetic effect:
| Drug class | Drug examples |
| Anticholinergics | Scopolamine |
| Antihistamines | Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Dimenhydrinate Meclizine |
| Benzodiazepines | Alprazolam (Xanax) Diazepam (Valium) Lorazepam (Ativan) |
| Butyrophenones | Droperidol Haloperidol |
| Cannabinoids | Dronabinol |
| Corticosteroids | Dexamethasone |
| Phenothiazines | Chlorpromazine Prochlorperazine Promethazine |
| Serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine antagonists | Dolasetron Ondansetron Granisetron Palonosetron |
| Substituted benzamides | Metoclopramide Trimethobenzamide |
Some of types of drugs, such as benzodiazepines, cause dependence. Researchers advise doctors not to prescribe benzodiazepines for more than
If a person frequently vomits because of chronic nausea, a doctor may also need to treat dehydration or an electrolyte imbalance.
Ginger
Researchers report that taking 250 milligrams (mg) of powdered ginger root before meals and at bedtime may help reduce nausea during pregnancy.
Women with pregnancy-related nausea may take up to 250 mg of ginger every 6 hours. It is possible to take up to 1000 mg of ginger per day without any side effects.
Ginger may also help people with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. However, researchers have had mixed results. Some
Peppermint
One study published in the
Although the study was small, the research showed that inhaling peppermint may help control postoperative nausea. Researchers need to confirm this result with more studies.
Vitamin B6
In early pregnancy, vitamin B-6 may help control nausea. A small study showed that taking 25 mg every 8 hours was more effective than a placebo.
According to the
People who have constant nausea should speak with a doctor if:
- they cannot keep fluids down
- they have been vomiting for 24 hours or longer
People should also see a doctor if they have:
- fatigue
- trouble concentrating
- slow wound healing
- weight loss
- little or no appetite
People experience constant nausea for a variety of reasons. Some common causes of constant nausea include pregnancy, gastroparesis, and bowel obstructions.
Antinausea medications and home remedies may help control nausea. However, a person with constant nausea should seek medical help, as it is a sign of an underlying condition. Antiemetic drugs will only treat the symptom of constant nausea and not the root cause.