Why Do I Feel Nauseous? 5 Sneaky Causes + Remedies to Feel Better Fast
Underlying issues from fatty liver disease to GERD may be to blame
Ever wonder “Why do I feel nauseous” but can’t pinpoint the trigger? It’s understandable: Queasiness doesn’t always have a clear cause-and-effect relationship.
“Nausea has lots of causes and can affect people at different times,” says Daniel Atkinson, MD, clinical lead at Treated. For example, “although it’s perhaps a lesser-known symptom, some women might experience nausea during menopause.”
And while menopause doesn’t directly cause nausea, related symptoms and conditions like stress, hot flashes and GERD can play a role. Here we explore are a few potential reasons you may feel queasy, plus how to prevent nausea and vomiting with home remedies.
Woman's World Answers
Why do I feel nauseous? 5 common causes + cures
Sometimes, it’s clear why you feel nauseous (motion sickness, we’re looking at you). But if you feel sick to your stomach and aren’t quite sure why, one of these underlying issues could be the sneaky culprit:
1. Hormonal changes
The decline in estrogen and progesterone that typically starts for women between the ages of 45 and 55 can cause a range of symptoms, including hot flashes.
“You might experience nausea as a standalone symptom, or it might occur as a secondary effect of hot flashes,” says Dr. Atkinson. “Hot flashes increase your heart rate and tend to make you sweat more, so it makes sense that they might also make you feel sick.”
Nausea can also be a side effect of treatments for hot flashes, including antidepressants (sometimes used to treat hot flashes in people who can’t use hormones) and prescription medication like oxybutynin (Oxytrol).
The fix: If you’re experiencing nausea as a result of hot flashes, try to cool yourself down first—and stay hydrated. “Carrying bottled water with you wherever you go can help with this and means you won’t be left searching for the nearest water cooler,” adds Dr. Atkinson.
2. GERD
Certain health conditions that cause nausea, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), may be more likely to affect women 50 and older. In fact, post-menopausal women were 3.5 times more likely to have GERD than premenopausal women in a 2021 study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology. Menopause was a greater risk factor for GERD than smoking, alcohol, emphysema, asthma and diabetes.
GERD, also known as acid reflux, occurs when acid from your stomach flows up into your esophagus and throat. This acid overflow can make you feel queasy or lose your appetite.
The fix: “One suggestion often recommended for managing nausea is following a BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce and toast,” says Dr. Atkinson. “This might be better suited for nausea caused by food poisoning or an upset stomach, but eating bland foods could also help you avoid exacerbating GERD symptoms.”
Avoid eating foods that are too fatty (such as fried foods) or acidic (like tomatoes and citrus fruits), since they might make your reflux and subsequent nausea worse. Also smart: Eating small amounts of food at a time, which allows your stomach a chance to settle.
3. Blood sugar changes
In midlife and beyond, it’s particularly important to monitor risk factors for type 2 diabetes associated with estrogen decline. Postmenopausal women had higher fasting blood measures and sugar intakes than premenopausal women in a 2022 study in eBioMedicine. After eating, post-menopausal women also had higher blood sugar and insulin spikes than premenopausal women.
“Insulin and blood sugar dysregulations could lead to feelings of nausea,” says BreAnna Guan, ND, a naturopathic and functional medicine doctor.
The fix: “To help with this, avoid processed foods and maintain your muscle mass,” she advises. “Aim to get at least 150 minutes of [moderate intensity] physical activity [weekly] and do weight-bearing exercises.”
Low muscle mass may make it harder for your body to regulate blood sugar. In fact, losing muscle over two years was linked to a higher risk of developing diabetes in a 2023 study published in Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome.
4. Fatty liver disease
Your risk of fatty liver disease linked to metabolism problems increases after menopause, per a 2024 study in the journal Maturitas. Many people notice symptoms of fatty liver disease once it progresses to liver cirrhosis, or severe scarring caused by liver damage. Nausea, loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss are a few warning signs.
“Liver dysfunction, or sluggish liver detoxification, can occur from nutritional deficiencies or being overwhelmed by poor metabolic health,” says Dr. Guan.
The fix: Fatty liver disease is commonly treated through healthy lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol and managing metabolic conditions like diabetes. “To support your liver, eat fiber-rich foods, ensure optimal gut health and use a multivitamin, teas and herbs to support liver detoxification,” adds Dr. Guan.
5. Stress
Menopause is often accompanied by symptoms like stress and anxiety, according to a study in the journal Maturitas. “Psychological factors like these can also make you feel nauseous,” says Dr. Atkinson. When you’re stressed, your body releases a flood of fight-or-flight hormones, which can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms like stress nausea, stomach pain or even stress vomiting.
The fix: To keep tension at bay, try practicing some relaxation exercises at home. “Even some simple breathing exercises, done often, could mean you’re more equipped to ride out menopause symptoms and stay calm when they begin,” says Dr. Atkinson.
Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) has been shown to help ease nausea, he adds. This technique involves slowly tensing and relaxing your muscles, starting with your feet and moving all the way up through your body. Check out the video below to get started:
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
