Nausea
Symptoms & signs
Short answer
Nausea often settles, but it can accompany infection, migraine, pregnancy or medicine side effects. Small sips of fluid and smaller meals may help; prolonged vomiting raises the risk of dehydration. Nausea with pressure-like chest pain or breathlessness calls for emergency help. [1] [2]
The unpleasant sensation that you may vomit; a symptom with many possible causes.
Checked against sources; not clinician-reviewed. Not personal medical advice. Read the disclaimer
Updated: 2026-10-08
What helps when you feel nauseated?
What can make you feel sick?Research and background
A stomach infection, migraine, travel sickness, pregnancy and some medicines can cause nausea. The likely cause depends on when it began and what else is happening. Nausea alone cannot identify a condition. [1]
What can you try now?
Take frequent small sips of water or another drink you can tolerate. When ready, try small portions of simple foods such as toast or rice instead of a large meal. Fresh air may feel helpful; avoid smells or foods that clearly worsen symptoms for now. This helps you take in fluid without forcing a large meal. If vomiting continues or you cannot drink, seek help promptly. [1] [2]
Could ginger help?
Some people try ginger tea or foods containing ginger. Research suggests a possible benefit for pregnancy-related nausea, mostly from supplement studies; this does not automatically apply to other causes or ordinary tea. During pregnancy, ask a midwife, doctor or pharmacist before using supplements. [3]
Prevent dehydration when vomiting
Keep taking small sips. Passing little or dark urine, a dry mouth or dizziness may signal fluid loss. A pharmacist can advise about oral rehydration solution. Take extra care with young children, older adults and people with fragile health. [2]
When should you seek help?
Frequently asked questions
What can help nausea?
Small sips, smaller meals and rest may help. Seek advice if you cannot keep fluids down. [1]
Does ginger always work?
No. Possible benefit is mainly studied for pregnancy-related nausea; evidence varies by situation. [3]
Is ginger safe in pregnancy?
Ask a midwife, doctor or pharmacist about supplements; possible benefit does not mean every product is suitable. [3]
How can I spot dehydration?
Little or dark urine, dry mouth and dizziness can be signs. Seek advice if vomiting continues. [2]
Research and sourcesEvidence overview, methods and complete source list
Research context
Small sips and small meals may help nausea; ginger may help pregnancy-related nausea.
Finding: Small sips and smaller meals may ease uncomplicated nausea and limit fluid loss when vomiting. Inability to keep fluids down or serious accompanying symptoms calls for assessment, not continued self-care alone.
Fluids and small meals during nausea
Evidence: Public-health guidance; practical advice, not direct proof of an individual treatment effect.
Studied population: People with uncomplicated nausea/vomiting seeking self-care.
Form or context: Small fluid sips and meals, not a ginger supplement.
Uncertainty: Practical guidance, not a controlled estimate of benefit for each person.
Sources: Feeling sick (nausea), Diarrhoea and vomiting
Finding: Ginger preparations may help pregnancy-related nausea, but this evidence mostly concerns supplements; an everyday tea is not an equivalent studied dose. Benefit for chemotherapy-related or postoperative nausea remains uncertain.
Ginger and pregnancy-related nausea
Evidence: Institutional evidence summary of human studies; promising but preparation and population limit transfer.
Studied population: Pregnant participants in ginger-supplement studies.
Form or context: Mostly ginger supplements; not a proven tea dose.
Uncertainty: Preparations and populations differ; no universal dose or response.
Sources: Ginger: Usefulness and Safety
Safety: Inability to keep fluids down, dehydration, bloody or green vomit, severe abdominal pain or confusion needs urgent assessment. Nausea with heavy chest pain or breathlessness may be an emergency.
Sources
- Feeling sick (nausea) · NHS · Public health information
- Diarrhoea and vomiting · NHS · Public health information
- Ginger: Usefulness and Safety · NCCIH · Public health information