Nausea is the unpleasant sensation of feeling sick or needing to vomit, while vomiting is the forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth. Although many episodes are short-lived and can be resolved on their own, persistent nausea causes can range from digestive conditions to more complex underlying health issues that may require specialist assessment.
When to See a Doctor
Urgent Medical Advice
Relevant Diagnostic Tests
Most people experience nausea and vomiting at some point in their lives. Symptoms can occur suddenly or develop gradually and may be linked to eating, infection, stress or an underlying digestive condition.
Being in this situation can be very unpleasant, with a mixed range of potential feelings, which include;
Some people may also notice green or yellow fluid when vomiting. This is often bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
Accompanying Symptoms
Nausea and vomiting may occur alongside:
Persistent symptoms should always be assessed, particularly if they interfere with eating, drinking or daily life.
Nausea and vomiting can develop for many different reasons. While some causes are short-term and relatively harmless, others may require medical investigation and treatment.
Certain foods, drinks and lifestyle factors can trigger nausea symptoms.
Common triggers include:
Some people notice they regularly feel sick after meals, particularly after eating fatty, spicy or heavy foods.
Functional dyspepsia
Functional dyspepsia can cause chronic nausea, upper abdominal discomfort, bloating and early fullness after eating, even when routine investigations appear normal.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
Acid reflux can sometimes cause nausea alongside heartburn, regurgitation and upper digestive discomfort.
Gastritis
Inflammation of the stomach lining can trigger persistent nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite.
Gastroenteritis
Often referred to as a stomach bug, gastroenteritis commonly causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Coeliac disease
This autoimmune condition can affect digestion and may cause ongoing nausea, bloating and abdominal discomfort.
Gallstones
Gallstones can interfere with the normal flow of digestive fluids and may trigger nausea, particularly after eating fatty meals.
Bile reflux
Bile reflux occurs when bile flows backwards into the stomach and oesophagus. Symptoms may include upper abdominal pain, chronic nausea and vomiting green or yellow fluid.
Peptic ulcers
Stomach or duodenal ulcers can cause nausea, abdominal pain and, occasionally, vomiting.
Pancreatic conditions
Inflammation of the pancreas may lead to severe nausea, vomiting and upper abdominal pain.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can sometimes occur with nausea and vomiting alongside other digestive symptoms.
Digestive tract obstruction
A blockage affecting the stomach or intestines may prevent food from passing normally and can lead to severe vomiting.
Most short-term episodes improve without treatment. However, persistent symptoms or certain warning signs should always be assessed.
Seek urgent medical attention if you experience:
Call 999 or attend A&E immediately if:
Non-emergency symptoms
If you are experiencing chronic nausea, regularly feel sick after meals or have recurring vomiting episodes, it’s worth seeking advice from NHS 111, your GP or a gastroenterology specialist.
A thorough assessment can help identify the cause of persistent nausea symptoms and guide the most appropriate treatment.
Specialist Consultation → Initial Investigations → Imaging or Endoscopic Testing → Personalised Treatment Plan
Initial Clinical Consultation
Your consultant gastroenterologist may ask:
A physical examination may also be performed.
Gastroscopy
A gastroscopy uses a thin flexible camera to examine the oesophagus, stomach and upper digestive tract.
It may help diagnose:
Blood tests
Blood tests can help identify:
Stool tests
These may be used to investigate infection, inflammation and digestive disorders.
Abdominal ultrasound
Ultrasound imaging is commonly used to assess the gallbladder, liver and pancreas.
CT scan
A CT scan may help identify inflammation, obstruction or other abdominal abnormalities when symptoms are persistent or severe.
Treatment depends on identifying and managing the underlying cause.
Simple measures may help reduce symptoms:
Some people find bland foods easier to tolerate while recovering.
Anti-sickness medication
Medicines known as antiemetics may help control nausea and vomiting.
Acid-reducing medication
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be recommended if reflux, gastritis or ulcers are contributing to symptoms.
Treating Underlying Conditions
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include:
Endoscopic treatment
Some digestive conditions can be treated during endoscopy procedures.
Gallbladder surgery
Gallstones causing recurrent nausea and vomiting may require surgical removal of the gallbladder.
Specialist medical management
More complex conditions such as pancreatic disease or digestive tract obstruction may require hospital-based treatment and specialist care.
Living with persistent nausea or recurrent vomiting can be distressing and may have a significant impact on your quality of life. At Clarity, our experienced gastroenterology team provides rapid access to specialist assessment, advanced diagnostics and personalised treatment plans.
Why Choose Clarity?
✅ Fast access to experienced consultant gastroenterologists
✅ Modern endoscopy and diagnostic facilities
✅ Comprehensive digestive investigations on-site
✅ Personalised treatment plans tailored to your symptoms
✅ Comfortable private environment with minimal waiting times
As the first step in your private digestive health journey, Clarity Consult is an entirely FREE consultation.
This is designed to be a clear, consultant-led private pathway for patients experiencing digestive symptoms, with fast access, transparent costs and flexible appointments.
Keeping a symptom diary, recording when nausea occurs and noting any food-related triggers can help your consultant assess your symptoms more effectively.
Seek medical advice if symptoms persist for several weeks, are becoming more frequent, interfere with eating and drinking, or occur alongside weight loss or severe abdominal pain.
Stress and anxiety can affect the digestive system and may contribute to chronic nausea, bloating and abdominal discomfort.
Green or yellow vomit is often caused by bile. Bile reflux symptoms can include chronic nausea, upper abdominal discomfort and the vomiting of green or yellow fluid.
Feeling sick after meals can occur due to indigestion, gastritis, gallstones, functional dyspepsia or food intolerances. A specialist assessment can help identify the underlying cause.
Common causes of nausea include acid reflux, gastritis, functional dyspepsia, gallstones, medication side effects and digestive infections. Ongoing symptoms should be investigated if they persist.
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