nausia

Nausea, or nausia in some spellings, is a subjective feeling of queasiness and impending vomiting. It is a common symptom rather than a disease, arising from a complex interaction between the gut, the autonomic nervous system, and the brain, particularly the vomiting center and the chemoreceptor trigger zone.

Causes are broad and can be categorized as acute or chronic. Common triggers include acute gastroenteritis, food poisoning, motion sickness, pregnancy-related morning sickness, stress or anxiety, excessive alcohol use, and medications such as chemotherapy, opioids, or antibiotics. Less common causes include metabolic disorders (diabetic ketoacidosis, uremia), central nervous system events, migraine, and infections. In children, simple viral illnesses and dietary indiscretion are frequent.

Diagnosis relies on history and examination. Red flags prompting urgent evaluation include severe dehydration, persistent vomiting with weight loss, vomiting blood, severe abdominal or chest pain, confusion, fever, or neurological symptoms. If nausea persists beyond a few days or is accompanied by other concerning signs, clinicians may perform basic labs or imaging to identify underlying conditions.

Management aims to treat the underlying cause and relieve symptoms. Measures include small, bland meals, adequate hydration, and rest. Antiemetic medications such as ondansetron, promethazine, or metoclopramide may be used as appropriate. Nonpharmacologic approaches (acupressure, ginger) have limited evidence but are commonly tried. In pregnancy, treatment choices should consider fetal safety.