Nausea

Nausea is a sensation of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach with an involuntary urge to vomit. It may precede vomiting, but a person can have nausea without vomiting. When prolonged, it is a debilitating symptom.

Nausea is a relatively common symptom experienced by patients with ME/CFS. It can range from mild to severe and can be relapsing or constant.

Prevalence
Katrina Berne reports a prevalence of 60-90% for nausea (as well as a wider prevalence of 50-90% for IBS symptoms including diarrhea, nausea, gas, and abdominal pain).

Symptom recognition
Although nausea is not listed as a symptom necessary for diagnosis in any of the current case definitions, it is frequently listed as a secondary symptom in information for patients and physicians.

Possible causes
Possible causes of nausea in ME/CFS patients include orthostatic intolerance, gut inflammation, and slower gastric motility.

Severe nausea may be caused by the digestive motility disorder, gastroparesis, that can be a co-morbid condition with ME/CFS.

Gastroparesis is a neuromuscular abnormality that causes delayed gastric emptying which, in turn, causes a premature full feeling while eating, bloating, nausea, acid reflux, regurgitation, belching, and occasional vomiting.

Nausea may be caused by a comorbidity such as celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (gluten intolerance).

Potential treatments

 * Acidophilus
 * Activated charcoal
 * Acupressure
 * Antacids
 * Antiemetics
 * Antivert (antihistamine)
 * Azithromycin (antibiotic)
 * Betaine HCl
 * Diets
 * Dramamine
 * Erythromycin (antibiotic)
 * Ginger
 * Gluten avoidance
 * Meal replacements (e.g. Complan shakes)
 * Metoclopramide
 * Mirtazapine
 * Zofran

Learn more

 * 2016, Nausea and sickness in ME/CFS – two non-drug options that are worth considering
 * Understanding Gastroparesis