What are the most common causes of nausea and vomiting?
The most common causes are viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu), food poisoning, motion sickness, pregnancy, migraines, medications such as antibiotics, opioids and chemotherapy, and drinking too much alcohol. Digestive conditions that cause repeated vomiting include gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastroparesis, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis and bowel obstruction.
Short-term vs recurring vomiting
- Sudden, shortStomach bug, food poisoning, alcohol, motion sickness.
- RecurringGastroparesis, ulcers, gallbladder disease, cyclic vomiting, cannabis use.
- UrgentBowel obstruction, pancreatitis, appendicitis, vomiting blood.
What does the timing of vomiting tell you?
Timing gives useful clues. Vomiting within an hour of eating can point to an ulcer or stomach inflammation. Vomiting undigested food several hours after meals suggests gastroparesis or a blockage at the stomach outlet. Morning vomiting is common in pregnancy. Repeated episodes separated by weeks of feeling well can suggest cyclic vomiting syndrome or cannabis hyperemesis.
| Pattern | Possible cause | What helps confirm it |
|---|---|---|
| With diarrhea, others ill | Viral gastroenteritis or food poisoning | History, stool test if prolonged |
| Soon after eating, upper pain | Gastritis, peptic ulcer | H. pylori test, upper endoscopy |
| Hours after meals, early fullness | Gastroparesis | Gastric emptying study |
| After fatty meals, right upper pain | Gallstones | Ultrasound |
| Severe upper pain to the back | Pancreatitis | Lipase blood test, CT |
| Bloated belly, no gas or stool | Bowel obstruction | Emergency imaging |
Go to the ER or call 911 if you have
- Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
- Severe abdominal pain or a hard, swollen belly
- Signs of dehydration: no urine for 8 hours, dizziness, confusion
- Vomiting with a stiff neck, severe headache or high fever
- Not being able to keep any fluids down for 24 hours
How can you stop vomiting at home?
Rest the stomach for an hour or two after vomiting, then sip small amounts of clear fluids every few minutes, such as water, oral rehydration solution or clear broth. Once fluids stay down, try bland foods like crackers, toast, rice or bananas. Avoid fatty, spicy or dairy foods, alcohol and caffeine until you feel better. Ask a pharmacist or doctor before taking anti-nausea medicine.
Tip: Ice chips or frozen rehydration pops are easier to keep down than a full glass of water. Aim for a few sips every five to ten minutes.
Have symptoms like these?
Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan, a board-certified gastroenterologist and hepatologist, sees adults at our Katy and Cypress offices, serving patients across Greater Houston.
When should you see a gastroenterologist for vomiting?
See a gastroenterologist if vomiting lasts more than two days, keeps coming back over weeks or months, is linked with weight loss, early fullness, upper abdominal pain or trouble swallowing, or if you are 50 or older with new symptoms. Dr. Khan may order blood tests, an H. pylori test, an ultrasound, a gastric emptying study or an upper endoscopy to find the cause.
How is chronic vomiting treated?
Treatment targets the cause: antibiotics and acid-reducing medicine for H. pylori and ulcers, diet changes and prokinetic medicine for gastroparesis, gallbladder removal for gallstones, and stopping cannabis for cannabis hyperemesis. Anti-nausea medicines help control symptoms while the cause is treated, and fluids prevent dehydration.
Where can you get help for nausea and vomiting near Katy or Cypress?
Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan evaluates persistent nausea and vomiting for patients from Katy, Cypress, Fulshear, Richmond and Greater Houston. Learn more on our nausea and vomiting treatment page, or read about nausea and loss of appetite.
Get answers instead of guessing
Request a visit with Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan at our Katy and Cypress offices. Most major insurance plans are accepted and self-pay options are available.
Key takeaways
- Most short episodes of vomiting are caused by a stomach bug or food poisoning.
- Vomiting that lasts more than two days or keeps returning needs evaluation.
- The timing of vomiting gives clues to the cause.
- Small, frequent sips of fluid prevent dehydration.
- Blood in vomit, severe pain or dehydration need emergency care.
Frequently asked questions
How long does vomiting from a stomach bug last?
Usually 24 to 48 hours. Diarrhea can last a few days longer.
Is it bad to vomit bile?
Yellow or green bile is common once the stomach is empty. Repeated bile vomiting without eating, especially with a swollen belly, should be checked for obstruction.
Can anxiety cause vomiting?
Yes, anxiety can cause nausea and sometimes vomiting, but recurrent vomiting should be checked for physical causes first.
What should I eat after vomiting?
Start with clear fluids, then bland foods such as toast, rice, applesauce and bananas, and return to a normal diet over a day or two.
Can cannabis cause vomiting?
Yes. Long-term heavy use can cause cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, with repeated bouts of severe vomiting that stop when cannabis is stopped.
Do I need a referral to see a gastroenterologist in Katy or Cypress?
It depends on your insurance plan. Many PPO plans let you book a specialist directly, while some HMO plans require a referral from your primary care doctor. Call (346) 340-4414 and the team can help you check.
Sources
- MedlinePlus — Nausea and vomiting
- NIDDK — Viral gastroenteritis
- NIDDK — Gastroparesis
- NIDDK — Peptic ulcers
- MedlinePlus — Foodborne illness
Where to be seen in Katy and Cypress
United Gastroenterology Associates has two offices: Katy, at 23920 Katy Freeway, Suite 555, next to Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital, and Cypress, at 21216 Northwest Freeway, Suite 640, on US-290. Both are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, closed for lunch from 12:00 to 1:30 PM, and serve patients from Fulshear, Richmond and across Greater Houston. Call (346) 340-4414 for either office.
Katy office
23920 Katy Freeway, Suite 555
Katy, TX 77494
Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza 1
Next steps
If you are dealing with causes of nausea and vomiting or any ongoing digestive concern, a focused evaluation can find the cause and start the right treatment. Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan and the team at United Gastroenterology Associates see adults from Katy, Cypress, Fulshear, Richmond, Greater Houston and across Texas. Call (346) 340-4414 or request an appointment today.
If you have severe pain, vomit blood, pass black stools or have chest pain, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
