Overview
Everyone cherishes a good night’s sleep, but waking up feeling nauseated in the middle of the night is a nightmare nobody wants to experience. Experiencing night sickness can leave you feeling unprepared and drained the following day. This is because during the night, your body recharges, and the added discomfort of nausea further contributes to your exhaustion. The by-product of various underlying issues your body may be experiencing can manifest in different ways. This article will delve into the underlying causes of your unexplained nighttime nausea, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the issue.
Common symptoms of nausea at night
Although nausea itself is a symptom of other conditions, let’s first see some of the signs of nighttime nausea, as most people experience:
- Vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Sweating excessively
- Stomach aches and unease in the upper abdomen
- Retching (involuntary stomach contractions to vomit)
- Dry heaves (feeling of excessive vomiting, but nothing comes out)
Why do I get nauseous at night?
There can be several reasons for nausea, including anxiety or stress, GERD, gastroenteritis, stomach ulcers, gestation or pregnancy, cyclic vomiting, and medication side effects.
Anxiety and Stress
In this era of digital technology, from online friends to online problems and even digital solutions to those problems, has somehow increased our anxiety levels due to different daily triggers. Everybody feels this way occasionally, and that’s how your body’s normal functioning gets disrupted, and you feel nervous and anxious. Frequent feelings of anxiety can be indicative of generalized anxiety disorder. In either case, as stress worsens at night, so do the feelings of nausea.
So next time you wonder why I am throwing up in the middle of the night or feel sick at night but fine during the day, here’s your answer. During the day, routine and life keep us busy and distracted, but at night, when overthinking strikes, your anxious thoughts surface and leave you feeling nauseous.
How to avoid nighttime nausea due to anxiety?
Anxiety and stress can be reduced by using some effective treatments, one of which is psychotherapy. One such therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is very effective in helping manage how you think and behave. It also helps identify harmful or destructive thought patterns and reframe them into positive thoughts.
Anti-anxiety medications and changes in lifestyle can also help manage these issues, including exercise and reducing caffeine or alcohol consumption.
GERD
GERD stands for Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as Reflux Esophagitis or Acid Reflux. It is a condition in which the stomach acid back flushes through the esophagus and occurs due to a loosened band of muscle between the stomach and esophagus. This causes the backflow of stomach juices into the esophagus. This condition worsens when eating late and lying down right after a meal. So GERD is the reason you get nauseous at night when you lie down. Moreover, it also causes a bitter taste in the mouth and an uncomfortable feeling in the chest called heartburn. As a result, you may feel nauseous, and the following symptoms can follow too:
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Dry cough
- Asthma
- Pain in the upper abdomen
- Vomiting
- Feeling like something is stuck in your throat
How to stop nausea at night due to GERD?
GERD or acid reflux can be treated using over-the-counter medications that reduce acid production, like antacids or H2 blockers. Other options include:
- Proton pump inhibitors are medications that can be used over the counter and are more potent acid reducers.
- Lifestyle changes like avoiding spicy foods, eating smaller portions for better digestion, reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption, and avoiding late eating.
- Surgery, in cases where medications don’t work.
Gastroenteritis
It is caused by a bacterial or viral infection accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Gastroenteritis causes a sudden urge to throw up and watery diarrhea due to a stomach infection and is thus often called stomach flu. Children are more prone to it than adults due to their weak immune systems against viral or bacterial infections. Although the patient recovers within a week, the body remains dehydrated due to vomiting and diarrhea; therefore, drink plenty of fluids to restore your water balance.
How to stop nausea at night due to Gastroenteritis?
It can be treated with antibacterial or antiviral medications, depending on the contracted infection type. Adults’ over-the-counter medicines include bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate) and loperamide (Imodium), used to treat diarrhea. In contrast, Zofran (ondansetron) treats nausea and vomiting caused by Gastroenteritis.
Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is when the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine is slowed, resulting in delayed emptying of stomach contents. This is more common in diabetic people. However, other causes include:
- Scleroderma or surgery
- Antidepressants
- Infections or an upset stomach, which can be caused by vagus nerve injury
Injury to the vagus nerve causes delayed gastric emptying, as it is responsible for contracting the stomach muscles to move food. The potential symptoms of gastroparesis include bloating, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, heartburn, and feeling full for a long time after eating little.
How to stop nausea due to Gastroparesis?
For treating gastroparesis, certain medications can help, including the following:
- Medicines to restore the loosened stomach muscles, like metoclopramide (Reglan) and erythromycin.
- Medicines like Zofran treat nausea and vomiting.
- In severe cases, surgery.
- Lifestyle changes, such as eating easy-to-digest foods.
Stomach Ulcers
Stomach ulcers, also called peptic ulcers, can cause nighttime nausea and vomiting. They are sores that develop on the lining of your stomach or small intestine. H. pylori bacteria are a common cause. This infection can cause pain radiating between the ribs and navel, followed by nausea, gas or bloating, burping, vomiting, black or bloody stools, and feeling full after eating small amounts of food. It can also lead to weight loss, with symptoms often worsening at night and after meals. There are various causes of stomach ulcers, including:
- Use of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Motrin (ibuprofen), Aspirin, Advil, or Aleve (naproxen) for prolonged periods
- Stomach, duodenum,m or pancreas tumors in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
- Helicobacter pylori infection
How to stop nighttime nausea due to stomach ulcers?
To treat stomach ulcers and the associated symptoms, including nausea, you can get an online prescription for antibiotics from a healthcare professional targeting Helicobacter pylori. Moreover, antacids and proton inhibitors can also be used to reduce stomach acids. Avoiding spicy foods and smoking is another layer that can make a difference.
Gestation or Pregnancy
During pregnancy, nausea and vomiting are common and are often termed morning sickness, which can happen anytime. It occurs more frequently in the 1st trimester and is not dangerous to either the baby or the mother. The hormones take the toll and cause nausea due to increased pregnancy hormones like human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and remain from the 6th to 12th week of pregnancy in most cases.
Approximately 75% of mothers experience nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. However, not everyone experiences it, but those who do share it throughout the pregnancy. It’s not dangerous until and unless you can keep the food down; however, you can see a doctor online if you’re experiencing frequent vomiting. Based on your hyperemesis gravidarum evaluation, they will prescribe you a severe nauseous condition accompanied by vomiting that causes fluid and electrolyte imbalance.
How to stop nighttime nausea due to gestation or pregnancy?
Morning sickness is like a horror story for every pregnant woman. The first treatment is taking smaller meals in short intervals instead of one large meal and avoiding spicy and fatty foods, especially at night, as they can trigger nighttime nausea. Vitamin B6 can also help if prescribed by your healthcare provider or by eating foods rich in vitamin B6, such as salmon, vitamin B6-fortified cereals, chicken, chickpeas, and leafy green vegetables.
Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is when food movement from the stomach to the small intestine is slowed, resulting in delayed emptying of stomach contents. This is more common in diabetic people. However, other causes include:
- Scleroderma or surgery
- Antidepressants
- Infections or an upset stomach, which can be caused by vagus nerve injury
Injury to the vagus nerve causes delayed food movement, as it is responsible for contracting stomach muscles for food movement. The potential symptoms of gastroparesis include bloating, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, heartburn, and feeling full for a long time after eating little.
How to stop nighttime nausea from gastroparesis?
For treating gastroparesis, certain medications can help, including the following:
- Medicines to restore the loosened stomach muscles, like metoclopramide (Reglan) and erythromycin.
- Medicines like Zofran treat nausea and vomiting.
- In severe cases, surgery.
- Lifestyle changes, such as eating easy-to-digest foods.
Cyclic Vomiting
It is a rare disorder causing recurrent episodes of severe nausea and vomiting. This condition worsens at night and is accompanied by other symptoms, including:
How to stop nighttime nausea due to cyclic vomiting?
The following medications can help in the treatment of cyclic vomiting, a rare disorder causing recurrent episodes of severe nausea and vomiting that worsen over time:
- Anti-nausea medicines work by blocking the vomiting center in the brain or the receptors that trigger it.
- IV fluids in case of severe dehydration from vomiting.
- Anticonvulsant medicines work by calming the hyperactivity of the brain.
- Anti-migraine medicines work by reducing migraines and relieving the symptoms of nausea.
Medications Side Effects
Nausea is a common side effect of various medications, including blood pressure medications, antibiotics, aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), vitamins, opioids, and chemotherapy. If medicine is taken at night, it can cause frequent nausea.
How to stop nighttime nausea due to medication side effects?
Consult your doctor if your medicine is the root of your morning diarrhea. They can change your medication, increase the dosage, or offer advice on managing side effects.
Read More: Is Zofran (Ondansetron) Safe for Pregnancy?
Home Remedies
People often wonder why they wake up nauseous in the middle of the night, even when they aren’t pregnant. Whether you are pregnant or not, the treatment plan depends on the root cause of your nighttime or daytime nausea. The following home remedies can help ease this uncomfortable feeling:
- Avoid strenuous physical activity and take rest until the condition is better
- Eat non-greasy, non-fatty, and less spicy foods like plain crackers or bread.
- Avoid overeating or eating to your full; instead, eat in small portions.
- Avoid lying down right after a meal, which can cause bloating and nausea.
- Drink more clear fluids and teas that have a calming effect on the stomach, like ginger or peppermint tea.
If your nighttime nausea does not go away for an extended period, you should discuss it with your doctor.
How can I prevent nighttime nausea?
It can be prevented by following these simple steps:
- Sleep with your upper body elevated instead of lying flat. Use pillows to help you stay in this position throughout the night. This can help prevent stomach contents from irritating your stomach or esophagus, which may reduce nausea.
- Drinking ginger and peppermint tea 1 hour before bedtime will not only help maintain good sleep but also reduce nausea significantly.
- Drinking any sweet fluid without citric acid can greatly prevent nighttime nausea.
- Make your dinner small in portions and full of bland foods for some days to avoid stomach acidity and nausea on waking up.
Some conditions still need professional help, so always consult a doctor when you have persistent nighttime nausea.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, nausea is just a symptom of an underlying condition that triggers at night more often. To treat the symptom, first identify the root cause, then proceed with treatment. If you cannot identify the reason, go to someone who can, a doctor.
FAQs About Nausea at Night
When feeling nauseous, the best sleeping posture is to elevate your head rather than lie flat. Your head should be at least 12 inches above your feet. It reduces the likelihood of food moving into the esophagus, which can cause nausea and vomiting while sleeping.
No, it is not common to feel nausea at night. However, it is a red flag from your body, indicating you should address the root cause and underlying symptoms as soon as possible.
Nausea from anxiety can be detected if you have an overwhelming feeling, just like the one you experience before a presentation or job interview. This type of nausea accompanies other anxiety symptoms like headache, shortness of breath, and shakiness.
When you lie flat on your back, gastric juices can rise, increasing nausea and overall discomfort. Instead of that, when you’re nauseous, try reclining with your upper body elevated and moving around as little as possible. Taking any sugary sweets will help.
Poor diet, anxiety, stress, and other triggers, like running or exercising after meals, can affect you and make you feel sick. It’s good to avoid the general triggers that affect your body and make you feel nauseated.
