What is Nausea?

Nausea is a sensation of discomfort in the upper abdomen, accompanied by an urge to vomit. Also known of as qualm, nausea may be a side effect associated with several medications or a symptom of disease or disorder. Sometimes large, fatty or sugary meals may also lead to a feeling of nausea.

Some of the causes of nausea are:Nausea may occur for a variety of reasons that may not be particularly serious, such as in the case of motion sickness, or may be a symptom of a more damaging underlying pathology such as liver infection with the hepatitis virus. Nausea may also manifest during the early months of pregnancy, known of as morning sickness.

• Alcohol, caffeine, excess sugar
• Anxiety, depression and eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa
• Addison's disease
• Appendicitis
• Brain tumor
• Hydrocephalus or "water on the brain"
• Cancer and chemotherapy
• Viral infections including chicken pox, influenza, stomach flu and norovirus
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Head injuries
• Diabetes and associated gastroparesis
• Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome
• Gastroesophageal reflux disorder
• Gastroenteritis or food poisoning
• Pancreatitis
• Peptic ulcer
• Ear disorders, dizziness, Meniere's disease, vertigo
• Certain medications
• Drugs of abuse
• Heart attack or acute myocardial infarction
• Electrolyte imbalance, mainly a rise in blood levels of potassium
• Raised pressure within the skull
• Meningitis or inflammation and infection of the membranes covering the brain
• Kidney failure and kidney disorders
• Migraine
• Morning sickness associated with pregnancy
• Premenstrual syndrome and menstruation
• Pneumonia
• Stress and sleep deprivation
• Withdrawal syndrome
• Liver disorders and hepatitis