Key takeaways

  • Acute nausea lasts less than one month, and in many cases, only a few days. It’s often caused by infections such as gastroenteritis or feelings of stress and anxiety.
  • Chronic nausea lasts over a month. The feeling may vary by day or be constant. It may also worsen over time, as in the case of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
  • In addition to pregnancy, other common causes include pancreatitis, gastroparesis, hepatitis, peptic ulcer, and gallbladder disease.

Nausea is the feeling that you’re going to throw up. It’s not a condition itself, but usually a sign of another concern.

Both constant and acute nausea may lead to vomiting, but not always. Nausea may be the only symptom you have, or it may be one of many symptoms.

Some of the most common causes of chronic nausea include:

Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of pregnancy. Often called morning sickness, nausea can happen at any time of the day and usually starts to go away by week 16.

Nausea during pregnancy is usually due to hormonal changes. You’re more likely to have morning sickness if you:

In rare cases, people who are pregnant may develop a type of severe morning sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum that can cause severe dehydration and weight loss.

Hospitalization and treatment with IV fluids may be necessary.

GERD is when the ring of muscle where your stomach and your esophagus meet gets weak or relaxes too much. This can cause your stomach contents to rise into your esophagus.

The most common symptom is regular heartburn. Other symptoms include:

Risk factors for GERD include:

Pancreatitis is inflammation in your pancreas — an organ that secretes enzymes to help you digest your food. The acute kind lasts for a few days, but chronic pancreatitis can last for years.

Symptoms of pancreatitis include:

  • fever
  • oily stools
  • rapid pulse
  • upper abdominal pain, which may radiate to your back or get worse after eating
  • unintentional weight loss

Alcohol use, tobacco use, and obesity are all risk factors. You’re also more likely to develop pancreatitis if you have a family history of the condition.

Gastroparesis affects the movement of stomach muscles.

Strong muscle contractions usually move food forward through the digestive tract. Gastroparesis slows down these contractions, keeping the stomach from emptying properly.

The cause of gastroparesis isn’t always known, but it’s usually related to damage to the vagus nerve, which controls the stomach muscles.

Gastroparesis often doesn’t cause any symptoms. When it does, symptoms typically include:

Some factors that may increase your risk for gastroparesis include:

Hepatitis is a type of liver inflammation. There are five main types: hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, all of which can cause nausea.

Hepatitis A, B, and C are the most common types in the United States. Vaccinations are available for hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

Hepatitis A and E are usually caused by ingesting contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C, and D are usually caused by contact with infected bodily fluids, such as blood or feces.

In some cases, especially in hepatitis A, the condition can go away on its own. But if it doesn’t and it’s not treated, hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Other symptoms of hepatitis include:

Most people have feelings of anxiety from time to time. It’s natural to feel a bit queasy if you’re nervous or stressed. Some types of anxiety, though, can be long-lasting and interfere with daily life.

Although anxiety disorders are often thought of as affecting emotions, they can cause physical symptoms too, like constant nausea. Other symptoms may include:

Peptic ulcers are open sores on the lining of your stomach or small intestine. There are two types: gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.

Infection with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most common cause. Peptic ulcers may also be caused by long-term use of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Stomach pain, which may get worse between meals and at night, is the most common symptom. Other symptoms include:

  • bloating
  • feeling uncomfortably full
  • heartburn
  • stomach issues after eating fatty food

Your gallbladder is an organ that releases bile into your small intestine. Bile is a digestive fluid that helps to break down fat from food.

Gallbladder disease can include infection, gallstones, inflammation, and a blockage. Depending on the cause and severity of the disease, you may need to have your entire gallbladder removed.

Other symptoms include:

  • gas
  • diarrhea
  • discomfort after eating
  • pain in your upper right abdomen, which may radiate to your lower back

Most conditions that cause chronic nausea require medical treatment. But there are steps you can take to help relieve nausea until you’re able to consult a doctor:

  • An empty stomach can worsen nausea, so aim to eat small meals every couple of hours. Eat and drink slowly.
  • Avoid caffeinated food and drinks, as well as spicy, fatty, or fried foods that can upset your stomach.
  • Avoid strenuous physical activity for at least 30 minutes after eating.
  • Drink enough fluids to stay hydrated. These can include water, decaffeinated herbal and iced teas, seltzer, clear juices, or coconut water. Beverages with ginger or chamomile may help settle your stomach.
  • Eat bland food, such as saltine crackers, rice, toast, potatoes, plain noodles, or broths.
  • Eat cool or cold foods that don’t have much odor, such as chilled fruit, frozen popsicles, applesauce, or yogurt.
  • Take over-the-counter medication such as antacids or Pepto Bismol.

If your nausea has lasted more than a month, it’s important that you seek medical attention. Even if your nausea isn’t caused by a more serious condition, a doctor may be able to prescribe medication to relieve your symptoms.

Seek urgent medical care if you have nausea and:

Treatment for your nausea will depend on the underlying cause.

Nausea can be mild, but it can also disrupt your life. Constant nausea is often a symptom of an underlying condition, such as pregnancy or a digestive concern.

If you’ve had ongoing nausea for more than a month, be sure to follow up with a healthcare professional. You can work together to determine the best treatment plan for your nausea and any other symptoms you may be having.