Throwing Up After Eating

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In addition to what you ate, note the symptoms you experienced, how long they lasted, and how soon after eating they started. Keeping a diary of what you eat and how you feel afterward can help your doctor make a diagnosis.

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea is an uneasiness of the stomach that often comes before vomiting. Vomiting is the forcible voluntary or involuntary emptying (“throwing up”) of stomach contents through the mouth.

What Causes Nausea or Vomiting?

Nausea and vomiting are not diseases, but they are symptoms of many conditions such as:

Motion sickness or seasickness
Early stages of pregnancy (nausea occurs in approximately 50%-90% of all pregnancies; vomiting in 25%-55%)
Medication-induced vomiting
Intense pain
Emotional stress (such as fear)
Gallbladder disease
Food poisoning
Infections (such as the “stomach flu”)
Overeating
A reaction to certain smells or odors
Heart attack
Concussion or brain injury
Brain tumor
Ulcers
Some forms of cancer
Bulimia or other psychological illnesses
Gastroparesis or slow stomach emptying (a condition that can be seen in people with diabetes)
Ingestion of toxins or excessive amounts of alcohol
Bowel obstruction
Appendicitis

The causes of vomiting differ according to age. For children, it is common for vomiting to occur from a viral infection, food poisoning, milk allergy, motion sickness, overeating or feeding, coughing, or blocked intestines and illnesses in which the child has a high fever.

The timing of the nausea or vomiting can indicate the cause. When appearing shortly after a meal, nausea or vomiting may be caused by food poisoning, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), an ulcer, or bulimia. Nausea or vomiting one to eight hours after a meal may also indicate food poisoning. However, certain food- borne bacteria, such as salmonella, can take longer to produce symptoms.

Is Vomiting Harmful?

Usually, vomiting is harmless, but it can be a sign of a more serious illness. Some examples of serious conditions that may result in nausea or vomiting include concussions, meningitis (infection of the membrane linings of the brain), intestinal blockage, appendicitis, and brain tumors.

Another concern is dehydration. Adults have a lower risk of becoming dehydrated, because they can usually detect the symptoms of dehydration (such as increased thirst and dry lips or mouth). But young children have a greater risk of becoming dehydrated, especially if they also have diarrhea, because they often are unable to communicate symptoms of dehydration. Adults caring for sick children need to be aware of these visible signs of dehydration: dry lips and mouth, sunken eyes, and rapid breathing or pulse. In infants, also watch for decreased urination and a sunken fontanelle (soft spot on top of the baby’s head).

Recurrent vomiting in pregnancy can lead to a serious condition called hyperemesis gravidarum in which the mother may develop fluid and mineral imbalances that can endanger their life or that of their unborn child.

Rarely, excessive vomiting can tear the lining of the esophagus, also known as a Mallory-Weiss tear. If the esophagus is ruptured, this is called Boerhaave’s syndrome, and is a medical emergency.

When to Call the Doctor About Nausea and Vomiting

Call a doctor about nausea and vomiting:

If the nausea lasts for more than a few days or if there is a possibility of being pregnant
If home treatment is not working, dehydration is present, or a known injury has occurred (such as head injury or infection) that may be causing the vomiting
Adults should consult a doctor if vomiting occurs for more than one day, diarrhea and vomiting last more than 24 hours, or there are signs of dehydration.
Take an infant or child under six years to the doctor if vomiting lasts more than a few hours, diarrhea is present, signs of dehydration occur, there is a fever, or if the child hasn’t urinated for 4-6 hours.
Take a child over age six years to the doctor if vomiting lasts one day, diarrhea combined with vomiting lasts for more than 24 hours, there are any signs of dehydration, there is a fever higher than 101 degrees, or the child hasn’t urinated for six hours.

You should seek immediate medical care if any of the following situations occur with vomiting:

There is blood in the vomit (bright red or “coffee grounds” in appearance)
Severe headache or stiff neck
Lethargy, confusion, or a decreased alertness
Severe abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Rapid breathing or pulse

How Is Vomiting Treated?

Treatment for vomiting (regardless of age or cause) includes:

Drinking gradually larger amounts of clear liquids
Avoiding solid food until the vomiting episode has passed
If vomiting and diarrhea last more than 24 hours, an oral rehydrating solution such as Pedialyte should be used to prevent and treat dehydration.
Pregnant women experiencing morning sickness can eat some crackers before getting out of bed or eat a high protein snack before going to bed (lean meat or cheese).
Vomiting associated with cancer treatments can often be treated with another type of drug therapy. There are also prescription and nonprescription drugs that can be used to control vomiting associated with pregnancy, motion sickness, and some forms of dizziness. However, consult with a doctor before using any of these treatments.

How Can I Prevent Nausea?

There are several ways to try and prevent nausea from developing:

Eat small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals.
Eat slowly.
Avoid hard-to-digest foods.
Consume foods that are cold or room temperature if you are nauseated by the smell of hot or warm foods.
Rest after eating with your head elevated about 12 inches above your feet.
Drink liquids between meals rather than during meals.
Try to eat when you feel less nauseated.

How Do I Prevent Vomiting Once I Feel Nauseated?

When you begin to feel nauseated, you may be able to prevent vomiting by:

Drinking small amounts of clear, sweetened liquids such as soda or fruit juices (except orange and grapefruit juices, because these are too acidic)
Resting either in a sitting position or in a propped lying position; activity may worsen nausea and may lead to vomiting.

To prevent nausea and vomiting in children:

To treat motion sickness in a car, seat your child so they face the front windshield (watching fast movement out the side windows can make the nausea worse). Also, reading or playing video games in the car could cause motion sickness.
Don’t let kids eat and play at the same time.

Show Sources

SOURCES:
National Institutes of Health.
American Academy of Family Physicians.

KidsHealth.org (Nemours Foundation).

What Causes Nausea After Eating?

Any number of conditions can make you sick to your stomach after a meal. These might include causes from food poisoning to illness to pregnancy.

Many causes of nausea after eating are common and can resolve on their own or be managed effectively. But for some conditions, like bacterial infections or certain diseases, you may need help from a doctor to find relief.

A closer look at your other symptoms can help pinpoint what’s causing your nausea. Once the problem is identified, your doctor can help you find a treatment that will stop you from getting sick to your stomach. Then you can enjoy your meals free of nausea.

There are many conditions that can make you nauseated after eating. Whether it’s a one-time illness, a food intolerance, or a stomach condition, determining the cause can help you avoid potential triggers and discover what to do to start feeling better.

Food allergies and intolerances

Certain foods, like shellfish, nuts, or eggs, can fool your immune system into identifying them as harmful foreign invaders. If you have a food allergy, your immune system launches a series of events that leads to the release of histamine and other chemicals when you eat one of these trigger foods.

These chemicals produce allergy symptoms, ranging from hives and mouth swelling to nausea. Other common food allergies include milk, wheat, soy, fish.

Food intolerances, unlike food allergies, are not life-threatening. But they can still cause uncomfortable symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, bloating, and other symptoms.

As much as 20 percent of the population may be affected by food intolerances. People commonly experience food sensitivities to dairy, gluten, food additives, and specific types of carbohydrates known as fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs).

Food poisoning

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , an estimated 1 in 6 Americans gets sick from food poisoning every year. The CDC says food poisoning can happen when:

food is not heated to the necessary temperature
the refrigerator is warmer than 40°F (4.4°C)
cooking surfaces and hands are not cleaned prior to handling food
when raw products like meat, seafood, poultry, and eggs come into contact with ready-to-eat foods.

Food poisoning symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea typically start within 30 minutes to a few hours after you’ve eaten contaminated food. But some types of food poisoning cause symptoms that appear days or weeks later.

Stomach virus

Norovirus, which is sometimes nicknamed the “stomach flu,” infects the intestines and triggers gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms like nausea and vomiting, as well as diarrhea. Symptoms usually start 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to the virus and typically last a few days.

This stomach bug is easy to both catch and spread. People can catch the virus through contact with virus particles in the vomit or feces of an infected person. For example, you can become infected by eating food prepared by someone with the virus or prepared on a contaminated surface.

Those who have recovered may continue to spread the virus for up to 2 weeks , and people who are infected but are asymptomatic can also shed virus particles.

You can also get this virus from food prepared with or sourced from contaminated water . This typically includes fruits, vegetables, and shellfish that are consumed raw, like oysters.

Pregnancy

One of the earliest physical signs that you’re pregnant is an uneasy, queasy feeling, which often starts during the second month of your pregnancy. Changing hormone levels trigger pregnancy nausea.

About 70 percent of pregnant women experience nausea. Though its official name is “morning sickness,” nausea can strike at any time of day, including mealtimes. Sometimes the smell or taste of certain foods is enough to make your stomach roll. The feeling is temporary, and it won’t harm you or your baby.

Less commonly, some pregnant people experience a more severe form of morning sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum. This condition causes frequent vomiting and can cause bodyweight loss, dehydration, and an imbalance in the nutrients your body needs.

If you experience extreme nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, talk with your doctor or obstetrician about options for treatment.

Acid reflux

A burning feeling behind your breastbone, known as heartburn, is the hallmark symptom of gastroesophageal disease (GERD), but this condition can cause nausea, too.

GERD happens when the muscular valve between your esophagus and stomach malfunctions, allowing stomach acid to leak up into your esophagus. This disease is common and affects about 20 percent of the adult population in the Western world.

You may also experience heartburn, indigestion, a feeling of fullness, or a sour taste in the back of your mouth, among other symptoms .

GERD may occur more frequently in individuals with hiatal hernia, a condition where a part of the stomach is pushed up into the chest cavity.

Anxiety and stress

Anxiety and stress don’t only take a toll on your emotions. They can affect your physical health, too — including your digestive system.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America lists GI issues as a symptom of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorders. Nausea can also be a symptom of social anxiety disorder and other phobias.

According to an older but well-cited 2009 review, some studies suggest a relationship may exist between gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and anxiety and depression.

The digestive tract and the brain are connected by nerves. This is known as the gut-brain connection. When you’re stressed, hormones and chemicals are released into the body, where, over time, they may enter the digestive tract and have a negative, inflammatory effect on your gut microbiome.

Cancer treatment

Some chemotherapy drugs cause nausea as a side effect. Nausea can occur with medications taken orally and those given through an IV.

Chemotherapy can also cause anticipatory nausea and vomiting, where an individual becomes nauseated in the presence of certain triggers. The chance of developing anticipatory nausea and vomiting can increase with the number of chemotherapy sessions you’ve experienced.

The risk for nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy can depend on the different drugs used in your treatment, in addition to other factors.

According to a 2017 review , people under the age of 50 and women also have a higher risk of becoming nauseated by chemotherapy drugs. Individuals with a history of motion sickness, low alcohol intake, and vomiting during pregnancy may also have a higher risk.

If nausea after chemotherapy is especially troublesome, talk with your doctor about your treatment options.

Gallbladder diseases

Your gallbladder is an organ that sits on the upper right side of your abdomen. It helps your body digest fats. Gallstones and other gallbladder diseases can affect your ability to digest fats. As a result, you’ll feel sick to your stomach, especially after you eat a rich, fatty meal.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a chronic disorder of the GI tract that involves disturbances in bowel habits and abdominal pain. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea. It’s the most commonly diagnosed GI condition. Nausea is a common complaint in people with IBS.

IBS is classified as one of three types :

diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D)
constipation-predominant (IBS-C)
alternating both diarrhea and constipation (IBS-A)

Sometimes, it may be brought on by a viral infection. In this case, it’s considered post-infectious IBS.

According to a review of IBS research , diet modification and exercise may help relieve some of IBS symptoms. Medications may also help, and relaxation techniques, acupuncture, and cognitive-behavior therapy have been shown to be helpful for some patients.

Treatment plans for this condition depend on the individual’s specific symptoms.

Motion sickness

Some people are especially sensitive to motion sickness. If you’re among them, the motion of a moving vehicle can make you feel sick. Eating before or after your ride can make your nausea even worse.

Motion sickness is caused by motion you haven’t adapted to. This means the signals your brain receives about your body movement and the environment around you may be in conflict. Sometimes, feelings of motion sickness can persist even after you’ve stopped moving.

You may also develop motion sickness from perceived motion while you’re standing or sitting still. This can occur if you view something in motion or take part in a virtual reality experience.

Nausea caused by motion sickness typically resolves after the triggering motion stops or within 24 hours .

Having nausea once in a while after you eat isn’t cause for alarm, but you should call a doctor if it doesn’t go away within a week. Call right away if you have any of these other more serious symptoms:

blood in your vomit or stool — it may appear bright red but can also look like black stools or coffee grounds in vomit
chest pain
confusion
diarrhea that lasts for more than a few days
extreme thirst, little urine production, weakness, or dizziness, which are signs of dehydration
fever of over 101.5°F (38.6°C)
intense pain in the abdomen
rapid heartbeat
severe vomiting or trouble keeping food down
jaundice or yellowing in the eyes or skin

In children under age 6, call their pediatrician if:

vomiting lasts for more than a few hours
you notice signs of dehydration, like few or no wet diapers, no tears, or sunken cheeks
your child is running a fever higher than 100°F (37.8°C)
diarrhea doesn’t go away

In children over age 6, call your child’s pediatrician if:

vomiting or diarrhea lasts for more than a day
you notice signs of dehydration, like your child isn’t urinating or producing tears or they have sunken cheeks
your child is running a fever of over 102°F (38.9°C)
your child has very low energy

Look for these other symptoms, which can help pinpoint the cause of your nausea:

Possible cause	Additional symptoms
Food allergy	hives, itching, swelling of the mouth or throat, trouble breathing, wheezing, stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting
Food poisoning or stomach virus	vomiting, watery diarrhea, cramps, and low fever
Gallbladder disease	pain in the upper right abdomen; vomiting, especially after eating
Acid reflux and GERD	a burning feeling in your chest, burping up a sour liquid, the feeling that something is in your chest, and coughing
IBS	cramping pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, and constipation
Motion sickness	vomiting, dizziness, cold sweat, and an uneasy feeling
Pregnancy	tender and swollen breasts, missed period, and fatigue
Stress or anxiety	muscle aches, fatigue, loss of sex drive, sleep problems, sadness, and irritability

Your doctor will ask you to describe your symptoms, including when you feel nauseated, how long the feeling lasts, and what seems to trigger it.

Consider keeping a food diary if you commonly experience nausea after eating and aren’t sure of the cause.

In addition to what you ate, note the symptoms you experienced, how long they lasted, and how soon after eating they started. Keeping a diary of what you eat and how you feel afterward can help your doctor make a diagnosis.

Depending on what condition your doctor suspects, you might need tests, like:

blood or urine tests
a skin test to see if you have food allergies
upper endoscopy to see whether your esophagus is swollen, which is a sign of GERD
CT, X-ray, or ultrasound scans to check your organs for signs of disease
colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, or upper or lower GI series to look for problems in your GI tract

The cause of your nausea will determine how you treat it.

Cause	Treatment
Cancer treatment	Take the anti-nausea medication your doctor prescribes. Eat smaller meals made up of bland foods, like clear broth, chicken, or oatmeal. You can also consider acupuncture.
Food allergy or sensitivity	Avoid the food that triggers your symptoms and read ingredient lists carefully to avoid reactions.
Gallbladder diseases	Take medication to dissolve gallstones or have surgery to remove your gallbladder, known as a cholecystectomy.
GERD or heartburn	Avoid spicy and fatty foods, lose weight, and take antacids or other medications to reduce excess stomach acid.
IBS	Avoid foods that bother your stomach.
Motion sickness	When you travel, sit in a location where you’ll feel the least amount of movement, like near the front of a train or over a wing in an airplane, and wear a motion sickness wristband or patch.
Pregnancy nausea	Eat bland foods, like crackers, toast, and pasta. Ginger capsules may also help nausea.
Stomach virus or food poisoning	Eat bland foods, suck on ice chips, and rest for a few days until you get over the infection.
Stress or anxiety	Talk with a therapist and try relaxation techniques, like meditation and yoga.

Try these tips to avoid feeling sick after you eat:

Suck on ice cubes or crushed ice.
Avoid greasy, fried, or spicy foods.
Eat mainly bland foods, like crackers or toast.
Eat smaller meals more frequently, instead of three large meals that are spaced out.
Relax and sit still after you eat to give your food time to digest.
Eat and drink slowly.
Serve foods cold or at room temperature if the smell of cooked food makes you feel queasy.

Your outlook will depend on what’s causing your nausea and how you treat it. Usually, nausea after you eat will get better once you address the source of the problem.

Last medically reviewed on December 9, 2021

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