Fatigue and nausea are symptoms that are common and often occur together. In some cases, as a result of lifestyle factors, such as inadequate sleep or diet or lack of exercise, these symptoms can develop. They can, in other cases, indicate an underlying medical condition requiring treatment.
A term that describes a lack of energy or a feeling of fatigue or sluggishness is fatigue. Nausea is a feeling of discomfort or a feeling of having to vomit in the stomach.
This article demonstrates the possible causes of combined fatigue and nausea and lists the medical treatments and home remedies that can help to relieve these symptoms. We also give tips on how to stop fatigue and nausea and when to see a doctor.
Causes
Fatigue and nausea can co-occur as a result of:
- lifestyle factors
- short-term, or acute, illnesses
- long-term, or chronic, conditions
Some possible causes of fatigue and nausea are outlined below.
Lifestyle factors
The following lifestyle factors may cause fatigue and nausea:
- staying awake too late
- not getting enough sleep
- eating too much
- eating too late at night
- drinking too much alcohol the night before
- using recreational drugs
- lacking physical activity
- overexerting oneself
- being jet-lagged
Infections
Certain infections may also cause symptoms of fatigue and nausea. Examples include:
- bacterial infections, such as:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection
- Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection
- chlamydia
- viral infections, such as:
- malaria
- dengue fever
- parasitic infections, such as:
- hookworm infections
Psychological causes
Sometimes, mental health disorders may cause physical symptoms, including fatigue and nausea. Examples include:
- anxiety
- stress
- depression
- loss and grief
Hormonal issues
Fatigue and nausea can sometimes occur as a result of a condition that affects the hormones or the endocrine system that makes the hormones. Examples include:
- hyperthyroidism
- hypothyroidism
- hyperparathyroidism
- hypercalcemia
- Addison’s disease
Neurological conditions
Symptoms such as nausea and fatigue can also be caused by issues that influence the nerves and nervous system. Examples are:
Other conditions
Nausea and fatigue with or without additional symptoms may also be caused by other conditions. Some examples include:
- reactions to animal bites or stings
- food poisoning
- food intolerances or allergies
- celiac disease
- inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- peptic ulcer
- hypertension
- heatstroke
- premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- endometriosis
- sleep apnea
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- diabetes
- kidney disease
- liver cirrhosis, or liver failure
Feeling sick in the morning but not pregnant
During the early stages of pregnancy, fatigue and nausea are common. In order to refer to nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, physicians use the word “morning sickness,” although these symptoms can occur at any time of day. A 2014 study states that in about 85% of births, morning sickness occurs.
They can take a pregnancy test if there is any risk that a person could be pregnant. They can see their doctor if they are not pregnant to ascertain the source of their morning nausea.
Feeling nauseous upon waking up could simply be the product of the night before, bad sleep or an upset stomach. It may also indicate a more chronic underlying health concern, however.
Fatigue and nausea after eating
It’s fairly natural for the energy levels of a human to dip after eating. This is because, to help break down food in the stomach, the body redirects blood to the digestive system.
Since the body has more food to digest, consuming too much can cause a significant drop in energy levels. Overeating can also cause feelings of nausea or fullness.
Fatigue symptoms and nausea after eating can also signify a digestive problem. Some potential digestive disorder signs include:
- difficulty swallowing
- acid reflux
- heartburn
- vomiting
- bloating
- abdominal pain
- belching or flatulence
- constipation
- diarrhea
- bowel incontinence
- blood in stool
- unexplained weight gain or weight loss
Treatment
Fatigue and nausea treatment depends on the underlying cause. Treating the cause should help eliminate or control the symptoms. A long-term treatment plan can include chronic conditions.
The physicians themselves can also prescribe medications for the symptoms. For instance , in order to prevent nausea and vomiting, a doctor can prescribe antiemetic drugs.
Home care
The symptoms of fatigue and nausea may be treated by such home remedies. There are some examples outlined below.
Home nausea remedies
The following home remedies will help to settle a disturbed stomach and decrease nausea sensations:
- sipping a cold drink
- drinking ginger or peppermint tea
- eating foods containing ginger, such as ginger biscuits or candied ginger
- eating multiple small portions
- getting a lot of fresh air
- finding distractions, such as listening to music, watching a movie, or reading a book
In addition, people should avoid the following:
- preparing or eating strong-smelling foods
- eating foods that are spicy, fried, or greasy
- eating too fast
- drinking while eating
- wearing clothing that is tight around the waist or abdomen
- lying down shortly after eating
Home remedies for fatigue
The following home remedies may help reduce fatigue:
- eating smaller meals and healthful snacks every 3–4 hours
- gradually decreasing caffeine intake over the course of 3 weeks
- limiting alcohol intake and avoiding alcohol before bedtime
- drinking more water to prevent dehydration and associated fatigue
- gradually increasing physical activity
- reaching or maintaining a moderate weight
- going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, even on weekends
- avoiding daytime naps
- establishing or maintaining a relaxing bedtime routine
- reducing stress levels through one or more of the following:
- working out
- practicing yoga or tai chi
- spending time with friends
- receiving counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for fatigue caused by stress, anxiety, or low mood
When to see a doctor
It is not necessarily a cause of concern to encounter fatigue and nausea. These signs are often the result of poor lifestyle habits. Changing these habits should lead to symptoms improving or decreasing.
However, if they have serious, persistent, or worsening episodes of fatigue and nausea, people should see a doctor.
For fatigue and nausea that are followed by any of the following symptoms, it is necessary to seek immediate medical attention:
- chest pain or pressure
- difficulty breathing
- slurred speech
- persistent confusion
- continuous or repeated vomiting
- fever
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- suicidal thoughts
A severe underlying medical condition requiring immediate medical attention may be suggested by the symptoms above.
Outlook
The outlook depends on the underlying cause of these symptoms for individuals suffering combined fatigue and nausea.
Fatigue and nausea are not always a source of concern. This combination of symptoms often goes away after necessary lifestyle modifications, such as improvements in eating , sleeping, or exercise patterns.
However, episodes of fatigue and nausea that are extreme, prolonged, or chronic can suggest an underlying medical condition that needs treatment. It can take time for a physician to diagnose and treat the cause in certain cases. An individual can usually find relief from these symptoms once a doctor has developed a diagnosis and a treatment plan.
Prevention
Both causes of fatigue and nausea may not be preventable. The following factors can, however, reduce the risk of a person experiencing these symptoms:
- staying hydrated
- limiting alcohol and caffeine intake and avoiding either before bedtime
- avoiding large meals and eating late at night
- getting plenty of sleep each night
- following basic personal hygiene to help prevent infections
- eating a healthful diet and exercising regularly to reduce the risk of health conditions that can cause fatigue and nausea
- alleviating stress through one or more of the following:
- mindfulness meditation
- breathing exercises
- yoga or tai chi
- seeking therapy for mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression
Summary
Symptoms that usually occur together are fatigue and nausea. They are the effect of lifestyle patterns, such as insufficient sleep or diet, or lack of exercise, in some cases. They can, in other cases, signify an underlying problem of mental or physical health that needs care.
Sometimes, after using home remedies to help sleep, relieve stress, or improve nutrition, a person can experience symptom relief. However, a person should see their doctor if these changes do not lead to an improvement in symptoms.
A medical diagnosis and care should be pursued for anyone who experiences extreme, persistent, or repeated symptoms of fatigue and nausea. Many patients will experience an improvement in their symptoms following appropriate treatment.
