What is nausea? Nausea is the feeling that you need to vomit (throw up). It can happen for dozens — if not hundreds — of reasons. Whether you vomit depends on factors like how strong your feeling of nausea is and what caused it. And it’s common for people to experience nausea with no other symptoms and without ever vomiting. Nausea is a diffuse sensation of unease and discomfort, sometimes perceived as an urge to vomit. [1] It can be a debilitating symptom if prolonged and has been described as placing discomfort on the chest, abdomen, or back of the throat. Understand the causes of nausea, from food poisoning to migraines, and explore effective at-home treatments. Learn when to see a doctor. Nausea is a common symptom with multiple causes, such as dietary choices, migraines, and medication side effects. Recognizing these can guide you to effective remedies and when to seek medical help. Feeling sick (nausea) is common and usually goes away on its own. Find out about some things you can try that might help and what might be causing it. From basic remedies that provide a fast fix to options for long-term relief, here's how to get rid of nausea. What Are Nausea and Vomiting? Nausea is the feeling you get in your stomach before you vomit. Vomiting is when you throw up your stomach contents through your mouth. Motion sickness and drinking alcohol are among the many common causes of nausea and vomiting. Serious diseases can also have this effect. Nausea is a symptom characterized by pronounced stomach discomfort and the sensation of wanting to vomit. Learn about the causes of nausea and how it’s treated. Discover common dizziness and nausea causes, sudden dizziness triggers, and key vertigo symptoms, plus red-flag signs that signal when to seek urgent medical care.