I'm Not Pregnant or Hungover—So Why Am I Nauseous?

Krissy Brady

August 19, 2024 at 11:42 PM·7 min read

When you have nausea in the morning and you’re not pregnant or hungover, you probably do what any self-respecting woman does in that situation—Google your symptoms and freak yourself out. (Kidding! Mostly.)

Trying to figure out why you’re always waking up nauseous can be tricky: “Women can experience nausea in the morning for many different reasons,” says Dr. Qurat Mudassar MD, a primary care physician based in White Plains, New York. “But no matter the cause, the mechanism that triggers nausea is the same: There’s a ‘normal’ gastric rhythm in the stomach, and any disturbances in this rhythm can lead to feeling nauseous.”

Because nausea as a single symptom is so broad, it’s important to see a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing prolonged nausea (think: longer than two weeks), so they can help you narrow down the exact cause, says Dr. Mudassar, especially if you’re experiencing other symptoms like vomiting or stomach pain.

Otherwise, below are nine potential causes of nausea in the morning—and what you can do to get rid of it.

Morning Nausea Causes

Low blood sugar

Your stomach might be giving you ‘tude when you wake up because your blood sugar is low.

“For most people, when blood sugar drops below 70, they experience symptoms of hypoglycemia, which can include nausea, sweating, dizziness and even fainting,” says Dr. Kristine Arthur, MD, internist at Memorial Care Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. The easiest and quickest way to level out your blood sugar is to drink something that contains sugar, such as fruit juice. Glucose tablets are also handy to keep on hand—they’re pre-portioned and absorb lightning-fast.

Your symptoms should resolve rapidly as soon as your blood sugar rises, says Dr. Arthur. To keep it stable, follow up with a breakfast that contains complex carbs, protein, and healthy fats (even if it’s something as simple as whole-grain toast with peanut butter).

Acid reflux

This is a super-common reason you might be experiencing morning nausea.

“Nausea is a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where acid builds up in the stomach and then travels to the upper part of the esophagus,” says Dr. Mudassar. While nausea from GERD can happen at any time, you may notice that it’s more prevalent in the morning if you sleep lying completely flat. This makes it easier for the stomach acid to take a road trip to your esophagus and cause gastric rhythm disturbances.

Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding acidic foods, not eating for at least two hours before bed and sleeping with your head elevated can help to rein in your acid reflux symptoms and (hopefully) morning nausea. But if you’re popping antacids more than twice a week and lifestyle changes aren’t doing much, you may need to check in with your doc to discuss medication options.

Migraines

Nausea and vomiting can be complications of migraines, thanks to changes in the central nervous system and slowing of digestion that can strike because of them, says Arthur. If you feel a migraine coming on, try popping an over-the-counter migraine medication as soon as possible with some food. Drink a large glass of water too, as dehydration can make headaches worse, Arthur adds. (Consider keeping ginger chews handy just in case you still feel queasy.)

If OTC anti-inflammatories don’t do the trick, or if the nausea is severe and there’s vomiting involved, there are prescription medications available for both migraines and nausea, that may be helpful. “It’s very important to see a doctor for any chronic headache, but particularly if they’re this severe,” says Dr. Arthur.

Ear infection

“Morning nausea can be a symptom of an issue with your ears,” says Dr. Mudassar. “An infection or vertigo can cause a disturbance in your gastric rhythm and lead to feeling nauseous.” An ear infection can also cause ear pain and pressure, as well as changes in hearing, nasal congestion and fever.

Mild ear infections can be treated with antibiotic drops, while a deeper ear infection needs to be treated with oral antibiotics. Once the pain and pressure starts to subside, the nausea should follow suit.

Stress and anxiety

The GI system is connected to the central nervous system, with the gut primarily being controlled by three mechanisms: smooth muscle cells, and the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems—better known as the “rest and digest” and “fight or flight” responses, respectively.

“Anxiety and stress trigger a neuronal response and affect the stomach lining,” says Dr. Mudassar. “Women may feel anxious or stressed about the events coming up in their day, which may trigger morning nausea.”

Adding to your repertoire of stress-busting techniques can be helpful in managing your anxiety (and untangling your insides in the process), such as solutions-oriented thinking, burning off steam at the gym, making time for things you enjoy and learning to say no.

Constipation

There are many factors that can contribute to the No. 2 train slowing down, including low intake of dietary fiber, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and a sedentary lifestyle. Distention from excess poop and gas triggers stretch receptors in the lining of the digestive tract, which send signals to the brainstem and activate the sensation of nausea, says Dr. Lauren Midthun, MD, an internal medicine physician at Loma Linda University Health in California.

The best course of action is to bump up your fruit and veggie intake, drink enough fluids and exercise regularly.

“You can also take non-stimulant laxatives like Miralax or Metamucil,” says Dr. Midthun. If you still have trouble going and your doctor determines you don’t meet the criteria for IBS, you may be a candidate for medications that can help your bowels get a move on.

Medications

Many medications can cause nausea, but some are more likely to make you feel queasy than others, says Dr. Midthun. These include pain meds, birth control pills and antidepressants.

Some side effects become less severe or completely go away over time, while others just won’t quit. If you think your morning nausea is being triggered by medication, your doctor can help you alleviate your sour stomach either by adjusting your dosages or putting you on a different prescription.

“There are many different formulations available, so if nausea remains a problem, ask your physician about other options,” says Dr. Midthun.

UTIs

As if the painful urination, sudden urge to pee constantly, bladder tenderness and cloudy or blood-tinged urine weren’t enough, nausea can also be a symptom of urinary tract infections.

“In particular, nausea, vomiting and pain in your mid-back can indicate the infection has spread to the kidneys,” says Dr. Midthun. "Toxins made by the offending bacteria can cause inflammation in your kidneys and abdomen, leading to nausea.” If you notice any of these symptoms, get in touch with your doctor right away to find out if antibiotics are needed to relieve your symptoms.

Dehydration

“Not getting adequate fluids causes your electrolytes—namely, sodium and potassium—to get thrown out of balance, triggering nausea,” says Dr. Midthun. Take note of other symptoms you might be experiencing along with your a.m. nausea, such as dark yellow pee, a parched mouth and lightheadedness, then increase your fluid intake accordingly.

Next up: The #1 Worst Food for Your Kidneys, According to Nephrologists—and What to Eat Instead

Sources

Dr. Qurat Mudassar MD, primary care physician for Western Connecticut Medical Group.
Dr. Kristine Arthur, MD, internist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California
Dr. Laura Midthun, MD, an internal medicine physician at Loma Linda University Health in California

News

Life

Entertainment

Finance

Sports

New on Yahoo