5 common causes of nausea
Medically reviewed by Dr. Betsy Koickel, MD on August 4, 2026.
Nausea is a common symptom that brings patients into urgent care every day. There are many different causes of nausea. If you are experiencing nausea symptoms, here are 5 of the most common causes you should be aware of:
1. Gastroenteritis (stomach flu)
Gastroenteritis is a common stomach condition that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is most commonly referred to as “the stomach flu,” but it is not caused by the influenza virus.
The stomach flu can be caused by viruses, such as norovirus or rotavirus, that may spread from person to person, through contaminated food, or from poor bathroom hygiene. Food poisoning from eating contaminated food can also cause gastroenteritis, but not all gastroenteritis is caused by food.
The symptoms of gastroenteritis typically get better within about 5-7 days. It’s important to drink plenty of fluids throughout the duration of the illness, as dehydration is a prevalent side effect. There are also medication options to help relieve symptoms, depending on the underlying cause and severity.
2. Side effects of certain medications
Many medications list nausea as a common side effect. Antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, opioid pain relievers, iron supplements, and certain blood pressure medications are among the most common culprits, especially when taken on an empty stomach.
Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to take your medication, as taking it with food, adjusting the timing, or making other small changes may help reduce nausea. Sometimes, alternative medications are available if nausea does not improve. You should never stop taking a medication without talking to your healthcare provider first.
3. Vertigo and inner ear problems
Vertigo is a condition that can cause you to feel off balance, dizzy, and nauseous. There are various reasons why you may experience vertigo, but the most common is due to an inner ear problem.
Common inner ear problems that cause vertigo include: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere's disease, labyrinthitis, and vestibular neuritis. If you are experiencing symptoms of vertigo, an urgent care provider can help determine the cause and recommend the best treatment.
4. Pregnancy and morning sickness
Nausea is a very common complaint during the early stages of pregnancy. It can range from mild to very severe. Typically, nausea improves after the first trimester; in some cases, it can last during the entire pregnancy.
At urgent care, we can perform a pregnancy test, as well as recommend next steps and refer you to an OBGYN for continued care if the test is positive.
5. Migraine headaches
Migraines are a common type of severe headache that can cause nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
According to the American Migraine Foundation, an estimated 40 million Americans struggle with migraines, and they are most common in women during their reproductive years.
At the urgent care centers, the providers can evaluate your headache symptoms and recommend treatments, both in the center and at home.
Other common causes of nausea
Other common causes of nausea include motion sickness, GERD or acid reflux, and anxiety or stress. Nausea from acid reflux may also cause burning in the chest or throat. Seek urgent medical care if nausea is severe or occurs with worsening right lower abdominal pain, fever, or vomiting, as these can be warning signs of appendicitis.
Tips for relieving nausea at home
Depending on the underlying cause, there are many at-home nausea remedies. Try sipping small amounts of water, electrolyte drinks, or clear fluids throughout the day to prevent dehydration. Avoid drinking large amounts of fluid at once, as this can make nausea worse.
Eat bland foods, such as bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, crackers, or broth, until your stomach settles. Also consider ginger, rest, fresh air, and avoiding triggers like strong smells, greasy foods, alcohol, or large meals to help reduce symptoms.
When should I go to urgent care for nausea?
You should go to urgent care for nausea if you have:
- Fever with vomiting or diarrhea
- Inability to keep fluids down
- Nausea or vomiting that does not improve after 24–48 hours
- Nausea with a headache
- Possible pregnancy with nausea, vomiting, pain, or bleeding
- Signs of dehydration
- Symptoms of food poisoning that are severe
- Worsening abdominal pain
When is nausea a medical emergency?
Seek emergency care right away if nausea occurs with chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood, black stools, or right lower abdominal pain with fever or worsening vomiting.
Find relief at urgent care
While nausea is a very common symptom seen in urgent care, there can be many causes. Healthcare providers at the urgent care centers can help determine the cause and may offer medicine or other treatments to help relieve symptoms. Save your spot online or just walk in.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about what helps with nausea and the common causes of nausea.
What are the most common causes of nausea?
Common causes include stomach viruses, food poisoning, certain medications, inner ear problems, pregnancy, and migraines.
When should I worry about nausea?
Seek medical care if nausea is severe, lasts more than a couple of days, comes with chest pain, severe abdominal pain, confusion, dehydration, high fever, blood in vomit, or repeated vomiting that will not stop.
What can trigger nausea besides illness?
Nausea can be triggered by stress, strong smells, motion, alcohol, certain foods, medications, dehydration, heat, pain, or hormonal changes.
How can I help nausea at home?
At home, start with small sips of water or electrolyte drinks, bland foods like crackers, rice, bananas, or toast, ginger, rest, and avoid greasy, spicy, or strong-smelling foods.
Are children more at risk of getting nausea?
No, children are not always more at risk from nausea, but they can become dehydrated faster if nausea leads to vomiting or poor fluid intake.
References:
- https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/data-research/
- https://www.cdc.gov/rotavirus/about/
- https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/what-is-migraine/
