When your stomach is on a rollercoaster

What is nausea?

Nausea (medical: nausea) is an unpleasant sensation in the upper abdomen, often accompanied by loss of appetite, increased salivation and a queasy, pressing feeling. It can escalate to an intense urge to vomit, but does not necessarily lead to vomiting. Nausea is not an independent disease, but a nonspecific symptom that can point to a variety of internal reactions or disturbances.

Typical for nausea is that it is experienced as a warning sign of a disturbed internal balance. It serves the body as an alarm signal indicating a potential danger from intolerable or harmful substances in the stomach or in the first section of the small intestine.

What can cause nausea?

Nausea is a warning signal from the body that can have many different causes. It is particularly common in connection with digestive system disorders, such as infections caused by viruses or bacteria, as seen in gastroenteritis, inflammatory processes and chronic conditions. Acute emergencies such as appendicitis or intestinal obstruction are also often accompanied by severe nausea.

Other organs in the abdominal cavity can also be the cause. Diseases of the liver, gallbladder or pancreas, such as biliary colic, hepatitis or acute pancreatitis, often present with nausea combined with upper abdominal pain. Poisoning, for example from spoiled food, medications, alcohol or environmental toxins, activates the vomiting centre in the brain. High doses of caffeine or nicotine can have the same effect. Some medications, including strong painkillers, chemotherapeutics or certain psychotropic drugs, commonly cause nausea as a side effect.

The cardiovascular system can also be involved: circulatory weakness, a drop in blood pressure or a heart attack, especially in women, sometimes present primarily with nausea and weakness. Disorders of the balance organ, such as Ménière's disease or stimuli like motion sickness, also trigger nausea because the inner ear sends signals to the vomiting centre.

Central nervous system disorders such as migraine, concussion, brain tumours or increased intracranial pressure can also be the cause. Infections like meningitis or encephalitis can also trigger nausea. Metabolic derangements, such as diabetic ketoacidosis or kidney failure (uraemia), often lead to nausea, particularly when toxins can no longer be adequately excreted.

In rare cases a hormonal disorder, such as Addison's disease, may be present. Gynaecological emergencies such as a ruptured fallopian tube or torsion of an ovarian cyst often cause sudden nausea. External influences such as heatstroke, sunstroke or fear of heights can also cause nausea by sending stimuli that upset the autonomic system.

How does stress affect nausea?

Stress can play a decisive role in the development of nausea because it deeply affects the functioning of the digestive system. The reason is the close connection between the brain and the gut, mediated by the so‑called "gut brain" and the vagus nerve. Through this direct communication axis, psychological strain can produce physical reactions in the digestive system.

When the body enters a stressful situation – for example due to anxiety, time pressure or emotional tension – stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline are released. These hormones activate the sympathetic system to put the body on alert. In this state, short‑term vital functions are prioritised while others, such as digestion, are downregulated. The result: blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract decreases, intestinal motility changes and nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea may occur.

The gut‑brain axis is particularly sensitive. It not only exchanges information between the brain and the digestive organs but also provides emotional feedback. Stressful thoughts, unresolved emotions or psychological pressure can therefore manifest directly as stomach problems. Symptoms often occur in concrete stressful situations, for example before exams, during conflicts or in cases of chronic overload.

If no physical cause for the nausea can be found, it may be a psychosomatic reaction. In this case nausea expresses inner strain, such as anxiety, depression or persistent tension. Typical features are diffuse, long‑lasting complaints like a persistent pressure in the upper abdomen, stomach pain without organic findings or recurrent vomiting in emotionally stressful moments.

What triggers nausea after eating?

A queasy feeling in the stomach immediately after eating can have many causes. Often it is a harmless reaction to hard‑to‑digest foods or spoiled food. In other cases, however, the complaints may point to physical or psychological disorders.

Often the digestive tract itself is affected. Inflammations such as gastritis or a stomach ulcer and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease can cause nausea after meals. Functional disorders such as functional dyspepsia or irritable bowel syndrome often lead to fullness, loss of appetite, upper abdominal pain and nausea.

Another possible cause is food intolerances, for example to lactose, fructose or histamine. Certain foods such as citrus fruits, alcohol, coffee or sugar alcohols can also worsen the symptoms.

Why does nausea occur during pregnancy?

Nausea in pregnancy is likely caused by an interplay of several factors, with hormonal changes playing a central role. In particular, the rapid rise of the pregnancy hormone beta‑hCG and increased levels of oestrogen and progesterone influence the central nervous system and can make the vomiting centre more sensitive.

A drop in blood sugar, especially in the morning, can also contribute to so‑called morning sickness. In addition, many pregnant people become more sensitive to smells, which can intensify the nausea. Other possible causes are a sensitive gut, physical or emotional stress and an imbalanced diet with nutrient deficiencies. Genetics can also play a role: if close relatives suffered from nausea during their pregnancies, the risk is higher.

What to do about nausea in the car?

Car sickness arises when the brain receives conflicting signals from the sense of balance and the eyes. Children, pregnant people and sensitive individuals are particularly affected. To counteract it, it helps to look at a fixed point on the horizon during the journey and keep the head as still as possible – ideally with a neck pillow. Best is to sit in the driver's seat or alternatively in the front passenger seat or the middle seat in the back with a forward view.

Reading or using smartphones should be avoided as this can worsen the nausea. Music or audiobooks can provide distraction. Light, low‑fat meals before the journey are advisable, since an empty or overfull stomach can cause problems. Drinking sufficiently, preferably still water or herbal tea, is helpful. Fresh air and regular breaks with movement relieve symptoms. Home remedies such as ginger or peppermint tea can be supportive.

There are also acupressure bands for the wrists and special glasses with an artificial horizon that help some people. Those sensitive to smells should prefer a smoke‑free environment and low‑odour foods. Modern smartphones also offer visual motion aids intended to stabilise the sense of balance. With these measures, travel sickness in the car can often be reduced considerably.

How to treat nausea effectively: practical tips

• If nausea is triggered by digestive problems or the urge to vomit, chewing fresh ginger or making ginger tea can help. Ginger has a proven antiemetic effect and can be used acutely or preventively, for example for motion sickness or during pregnancy.
• If nausea occurs after eating fatty or hard‑to‑digest meals, bitter substances from medicinal plants such as gentian, wormwood, angelica root or artichoke can help. These plants stimulate the production of digestive juices and support the stomach, liver and gallbladder. Bitters are available as drops or tinctures, also in combination with soothing herbs like fennel or lemon balm.
• For a sensitive stomach, herbal teas with chamomile or peppermint soothe the stomach lining and relieve cramps.
• With acute nausea, opt for easily digestible foods such as rusk, oat porridge with water, mildly cooked rice or steamed vegetables. Fatty, heavily spiced or very sweet foods should be avoided as they further burden the digestive system and can worsen the discomfort.
• Do you suffer regularly from stomach pain or gastritis? A rolling cure with chamomile tea can be beneficial. In the morning on an empty stomach, drink half a cup of warm chamomile tea. Then lie down successively on your back, left side, stomach and finally right side, remaining in each position for about ten minutes. This allows the soothing effect of chamomile to distribute evenly throughout the stomach.
• After a rich meal, heat applications such as a hot water bottle or a warm abdominal wrap can help. Heat relaxes the muscles, promotes blood circulation and relieves feelings of fullness as well as cramp‑like pains in the stomach area.
• Drink herbal tea or still water in small sips when you feel nauseous, instead of consuming large amounts at once. This is gentler on the sensitive stomach and keeps you hydrated, which is especially important if vomiting or diarrhoea occur.
• With a sensitive stomach you can consume fibre‑rich foods like cooked carrots or a little apple cider vinegar to gently stimulate digestion and reduce the urge to vomit. Avoid raw vegetables or excessive acidity, as these can have the opposite effect.
• Ventilate the room or take a short walk to disperse odours that might intensify nausea. Supplying fresh oxygen can stabilise circulation, support autonomic balance and redirect your perception.
• Allow yourself deliberate rest periods without stimuli if you notice that stress, hurry or overload worsen your nausea. Switch off screens, lie down and let your body calm down.
• Avoid dairy products, fast food and heavily spiced meals if you suffer frequent nausea, as these can irritate the stomach. Choose mild foods such as boiled potatoes or light broths instead.
• Massage the so‑called P6 acupressure point on the inside of your forearm. It is located about two finger widths above the wrist. Gentle pressure with the fingers for a few minutes can positively influence the urge to vomit. This method has proven helpful for motion sickness and during pregnancy.
• If nausea is amplified by tension or nervous restlessness, breathe deeply through the nose and exhale slowly through the mouth. Deep breathing calms the autonomic nervous system and can provide noticeable relief within a few minutes.
• If nausea is severe, lasts longer than three days or is accompanied by other symptoms such as dizziness, fever or vomited fluids, seek medical attention. If abdominal pain, headache, altered consciousness or head injury occur, this may indicate a serious cause. In such cases, call emergency services. An irritation of the oesophagus or an intolerance to certain foods may also be possible.

Nausea is a warning signal from the body that can indicate physical or psychological strain. Early action helps to relieve symptoms and address the underlying causes.