Reviewed 10/9/2023
Nausea: True or false?
Nausea—or feeling sick to your stomach—can have many different causes. Take this quiz to find out how much you know about nausea.
True or false: Nausea after eating could be caused by a food allergy rather than food poisoning.
True. Food allergies, food poisoning and gastroesophageal reflux—the leaking of stomach contents upward—are just three examples of food-related conditions that can cause nausea.
True or false: If you feel nauseated, getting up and moving around can help settle your stomach.
False. It's best to sit still. Sometimes activity can make your stomach feel worse. If your nausea is caused by motion sickness, lying down might help you feel better. If not, it's best to stay upright.
True or false: You should avoid liquids if you're vomiting.
False. It's important to avoid dehydration, so try drinking frequent, small amounts of clear liquids. Water is best. You might also sip fruit juices, flat soda, clear broth or sports drinks.
True or false: You should try eating six to eight small meals a day when you're nauseated.
True. Bland foods like crackers, clear soup and gelatin are best. Avoid foods with strong smells, caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks, spicy foods and fried foods.
True or false: Ginger can help relieve nausea.
True. Some studies have found that ginger can relieve nausea due to pregnancy. It also might help control nausea caused by cancer drugs.
Nausea and vomiting are fairly common. But call your doctor if you vomit three or more times in one day, the nausea lasts for more than 48 hours, you have a fever, or you have stomach pain.
Sources
- Familydoctor.org. "Motion Sickness." https://familydoctor.org/condition/motion-sickness/.
- MedlinePlus. "Bland Diet." https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000068.htm.
- MedlinePlus. "Nausea and Vomiting." https://medlineplus.gov/nauseaandvomiting.html.
- MedlinePlus. "Nausea and Vomiting – Adults." https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003117.htm.
- MedlinePlus. "Why You Have Nausea and Vomiting." https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000122.htm.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. "Ginger." https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/ginger#.
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. "Characterizing Food Allergy & Addressing Related Disorders." https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/food-allergy-characterizing.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. "Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome." https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/cyclic-vomiting-syndrome/eating-diet-nutrition.
Issues with your digestive system can range from uncomfortable to life-threatening. Some problems, like occasional heartburn, can be treated at home. But sometimes you may need the care of an expert. Tamarack Health Ashland Medical Center offers gastroenterology as a specialty service and can help prevent, diagnose, and treat issues with the digestive system.
Gastroenterology deals with your digestive system and can include organs such as the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, intestines, and liver.
Conditions we can help you with
- Chronic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Chronic heartburn and swallowing disorders.
- Esophageal disease.
- Gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD).
- Inflammatory bowel disease.
- Liver disease.
- Motility disorders.
- Pancreatic diseases and disorders.
Make an appointment with a gastroenterologist
If you need an appointment, please call 715.685.5290 or talk to your primary care physician.
Getting a colonoscopy
The American Cancer Society estimates that 1 in 21 men and 1 in 23 women in the US will develop colon cancer during their lifetime. It’s important to get screened for colon cancer if you're 45 or older. This is done with a colonoscopy. Visit our colorectal surgery page to learn more about this process.