Feeling Nausea at Night: Causes and Remedies

This is an automatically translated article.

Posted by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

Vomiting is a strong process of expelling the contents of the stomach. Nausea can happen at any time of the day. But some conditions can make you more nauseous at night. Read on to learn more about the causes of nighttime nausea, when to see your doctor, treatment options, and ways to help relieve nausea at home.

1. What is vomiting?

Vomiting is a strong process of expelling the contents of the stomach. It could be an event related to something that hasn't settled in the stomach yet. Recurrent vomiting may be due to pre-existing medical conditions.
Frequent vomiting can also lead to dehydration, which is life-threatening if left untreated.
Feelings of nausea can happen at any time of the day. But some conditions can make you more nauseous at night. You can sometimes feel nauseous without an underlying cause, but it's usually a symptom of another condition.

2. Complications of vomiting

Dehydration is the most common complication associated with vomiting. Vomiting causes your stomach to expel not only food but also liquid. Dehydration can cause:
Dry mouth Fatigue Dark urine Decreased urination Headache Confusion Dehydration is especially severe in infants and young children who vomit. Younger children have less body mass and therefore have less fluid to sustain themselves. Parents of children who show symptoms of dehydration should talk to their family's pediatrician right away.
Malnutrition is another complication of vomiting. Not processing solid food causes the body to lose nutrients. If you are experiencing extreme fatigue and weakness associated with frequent vomiting, seek medical attention.

3. Possible causes of nighttime nausea

Possible causes of nighttime nausea include the conditions outlined below:

3.1. Worry

Anxiety includes feeling nervous and anxious. Sometimes there are these feelings. Most people experience anxiety at one point or another.
However, if you have these feelings frequently or if your anxiety seems out of proportion to your current situation, you may have a condition called generalized anxiety disorder.
Whether you have daily anxiety or an anxiety disorder, anxiety can get worse at night. This may be because you are less distracted at night than during the day when you are busy with work, school or family matters.
When your mind is not focused on something else, you are more likely to focus on your worries or problems.
All kinds of anxiety can cause gastrointestinal problems, including nausea. Because anxiety may be worse at night, you may also experience nighttime nausea.
Other symptoms of anxiety include:
Restlessness Difficulty concentrating Increased heart rate Panic attacks Sweating Difficulty sleeping Difficulty thinking about anything but what is causing your anxiety

3.2. GERD – Reflux Esophagitis

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which stomach acid backs up through your esophagus. It is also known as acid reflux. Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when the band of muscle between your esophagus and stomach doesn't close or tighten. This allows digestive juices in the stomach to move up the esophagus.
The most common symptom of GERD or acid reflux is heartburn - an uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest. You may also notice a bitter taste in the back of your mouth. Nausea may also accompany these symptoms.
Other symptoms of GERD include:
Difficulty swallowing Feeling like something is stuck in your throat Dry cough Pain in your chest or upper abdomen Vomiting Asthma Eating late at night can increase symptoms of GERD GERD, including nausea. This is because lying down, especially after eating a large meal, makes it easier for acid to back up into your esophagus.

3.3. Side effects of medications

Nausea is a common side effect of medications, especially:
Antibiotics Aspirin Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Some blood pressure medications If you take your medication at night, you may experience nausea more at night. Other symptoms or side effects depend on the drug.

3.4. Stomach ulcers

Peptic ulcers are sores on the lining of your stomach or small intestine. H. pylori bacteria can cause this disease.
The most common symptom is pain between the ribs and navel. Other symptoms include:
Nausea Ợ gas Feeling full after eating small amounts of food Vomiting Black or bloody stools Unexplained weight loss These symptoms usually get worse after meals and At night.

3.4. Pregnancy

Nausea is a very common symptom of pregnancy. While nausea during pregnancy is often referred to as morning sickness, it can happen at any time of day.
An increase in hormones causes nausea during pregnancy. It usually begins around the 6th week and ends around the 12th week of pregnancy. It is not dangerous to you or your baby, unless you cannot put the food down.

3.5. Gastroparesis

Another possible cause of nighttime nausea is gastroparesis. This is a disease in which the stomach normally cannot get rid of all the food on its own. It is most common in people with diabetes. Other causes include:
Infections Scleroderma surgery Drugs Certain antidepressants Upset stomach upset can also be caused by injury to the vagus nerve, which helps the stomach muscles contract to move. foods. Symptoms may be worse at night as food you eat during the day builds up in your stomach.
Symptoms of gastroparesis include:
Nausea Heartburn Vomiting Feeling full after eating small amounts of food Bloating Weight loss

3.6. Cyclical vomiting

Although less common, cyclic vomiting syndrome is another cause of nighttime nausea that can affect both adults and children. This is a rare disorder that causes recurrent episodes of severe nausea and vomiting.
These episodes can last for several hours or days. Most people have episodes of the same length every time. Between the vomiting and the nausea, you feel well.
In addition to nausea and vomiting, symptoms may include:
Pale skin Coma Dizziness Headache Abdominal pain Exhaustion and anxiety are both causes of cyclic vomiting syndrome and both are common. more variable at night. This can make cyclic vomiting syndrome more likely to flare up at night.

4. When should you see a doctor?

In many cases, the feeling of nausea is temporary and will go away on its own. But it could also be a sign of a more serious problem. See a doctor if:
Your nausea lasts more than a week You always feel nauseous after eating Your nausea leads to a severe headache accompanied by vomiting You have unexplained weight loss Sad vomiting and vomiting that continues to recur for at least 1 month You can't keep food down, especially if you're pregnant You're feeling: Confusion, blurred vision, severe stomach pain

5. Treatments

Treatment for nighttime nausea will depend on the underlying cause.

5.1. Nausea due to anxiety

One of the most effective treatments for anxiety is psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT.
This type of therapy helps you identify negative or destructive thought patterns. Once you notice these patterns, you can begin to learn how to reframe your thinking in a more positive direction.
Other treatment options for anxiety include:
Anti-anxiety medications Lifestyle changes, such as exercise and reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption

5.2. Treatment of nausea caused by GERD

The most common treatment options for GERD include:
Antacids H2 blockers, which reduce acid production (available by prescription or over-the-counter) Medicines called proton pump inhibitors, which are acid reducers stronger (available by prescription and prescription) Surgery, if medication doesn't help Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding spicy foods, not eating late at night, eating smaller meals, and limiting alcohol and caffeine

5.3. Treatment of nausea caused by drug side effects

If prescription medications cause nausea, talk to your doctor about changing medications or taking them at a different time of day to reduce nausea and other side effects. You may also need to take the medicine with food or water.
It is important that you do not stop taking your medication on your own. Always talk to your doctor about the best way to change your medication or how you take it.
If over-the-counter medicine makes you nauseous, try another one like ibuprofen instead of naproxen.

5.4. Treatment of nausea caused by stomach ulcers

The most common treatment options for peptic ulcer disease include:
Antibiotics to eliminate H. pylori bacteria Antacids, H2 blockers, or proton pump inhibitors to reduce stomach acid Medicines protect your stomach lining Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and avoiding foods that make your symptoms worse

5.5. Treatment of nausea caused by gastroparesis

Treatment for gastroparesis usually includes:
Medicines to help keep your stomach muscles working properly Surgery Lifestyle changes, such as eating smaller meals and eating foods that are easy to digest

5.6. Cyclical vomiting syndrome

Treatment of cyclic vomiting syndrome may include:
Anticonvulsants Antiemetics Anti-migraine treatment Treatment of dehydration; if it is severe, you may need to be treated in the hospital with intravenous fluids

6. Home Remedies

You can take steps to reduce the severity of your nausea at home. If your nausea persists for more than a week or if it gets worse, you need to see your doctor.
The following self-care measures may help relieve nausea:
Elevate your head so that you are not lying flat on the bed. If you feel comfortable, try to sleep with your head about 12cm above your feet. This can help keep acid or food from moving up your esophagus. Drink small amounts of slightly sweet liquids, like juice, but avoid citrus. Drink slowly. Increase the amount as you start to feel better. Drink ginger tea or mint tea. Take mint. Eat small amounts of bland, bland foods like crackers or bread. Avoid physical activity until you feel better, but try to avoid lying down. Nausea at night is often a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Some of the most common causes include acid reflux, anxiety, medication side effects, peptic ulcers, or pregnancy.
Nausea at night is usually treatable with self-care measures or going to a doctor.
If your nausea is severe or persistent, or if you have severe headaches or unexplained weight loss along with nighttime nausea, see your doctor. They can diagnose the cause of your nausea and work with you to find the right treatment.
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Articles refer to sources: rarediseases.org, my.clevelandclinic.org, mayoclinic.org