What Are the Causes of Frequent Nausea?

Nausea is not a specific illness but a symptom of conditions that may lead to vomiting and other uncomfortable physical ailments in the gastric and intestinal systems of the body. Chronic or frequent nausea can be extremely uncomfortable and physically distressing and can be an indicator of serious illness, including gastrointestinal infections, gastric esophageal reflux disease (GERD), head injury and inner ear problems. Other conditions that may be indicated by chronic or frequent nausea include diabetes, gallbladder disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

Infections

• According to Benjamin Wedro, MD,FAAEM, who practices emergency medicine in La Crosse, Wis., and is a clinical professor at the University of Wisconsin, infections can be one of the primary causes of frequent nausea leading to vomiting. Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that cause stomach ulcers, can be an infectious agent, as can parasitic diseases, causing chronic and frequent nausea. Norovirus and rotavirus are also common stomach infections that cause frequent nausea.

GERD

• Dr. Wedro indicates that gastric esophageal reflux disease, otherwise known as GERD, can be another cause of frequent nausea. When the lining of the stomach and esophagus are irritated, a person may feel nauseated and also experience acid reflux. This sensation can be the result of eating foods that irritate the lining of the stomach, eating too much, or eating and then laying down without allowing the food to digest. GERD is a chronic disease that is often treated with medications in addition to lifestyle changes.

Diabetes

• One of the serious symptoms of diabetes can be chronic or frequent nausea. According to Dr. Wedro, when a person's blood sugar is out of balance, she can experience nausea. If a person is a known diabetic and is experiencing nausea on a regular basis, he should be alert to checking his blood sugar level and adjusting his insulin as needed. For individuals who experience frequent nausea without a known and easily identifiable cause, diabetes is often one of the potential problems a doctor looks for during an examination.

Gallbladder disease

• The gallbladder is an organ located on the right side of the upper abdomen. It is tucked between the liver and the intestinal tract and supplies digestive juices that help with the passing of food through the gastrointestinal tract. Dr. Wedro states that when the gallbladder is not functioning correctly or is diseased, a person may experience chronic and frequent nausea as a symptom. The most common treatment for gallbladder disease is diet change or surgical removal of the gallbladder.

Inflammatory bowel disease

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a condition in which the gastrointestinal system is chronically inflamed and irritated. Other names for this condition are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. According to Dr Wedro, individuals with IBD can experience chronic and frequent nausea, often a warning sign that a bout of diarrhea or vomiting is about to occur. Individuals with this condition are often treated with medication and lifestyle changes. The underlying cause of IBD is not known.