Nausea
Nausea has many possible causes — from stomach bugs, migraine, pregnancy and reflux to medication side effects and more serious conditions. Most short-lived nausea settles with rest and small sips of fluids. Persistent nausea, nausea with severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit, dehydration, chest pain or new neurological symptoms needs medical assessment.
Key information
- Symptom
- Nausea
- Category
- Digestive system
- Common possible causes
- Viral gastroenteritis, Food poisoning, Migraine, Pregnancy (morning sickness)
- Tests that may be considered
- Full blood count, Kidney and liver function, Electrolytes, HbA1c and glucose
- Clinic assessment
- Available same day
- Home doctor visit
- Available across Dubai
- Home blood test
- Available across Dubai
- Date reviewed
- 2026-07-01
What this symptom means
Nausea is the unpleasant sensation of wanting to vomit. It can occur alone or with vomiting and other symptoms.
Common possible causes
- · Viral gastroenteritis
- · Food poisoning
- · Migraine
- · Pregnancy (morning sickness)
- · Motion sickness
- · Acid reflux and gastritis
- · Anxiety
- · Alcohol
Less common possible causes
- · Inner-ear disorders (vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis)
- · Kidney or liver disease
- · Diabetic ketoacidosis (in known diabetics)
- · Gallstones
Serious causes that must not be missed
- · Bowel obstruction
- · Appendicitis
- · Pancreatitis
- · Heart attack (especially in women and diabetics)
- · Raised intracranial pressure
- · Sepsis
- · Severe abdominal pain
- · Vomiting blood or coffee-ground material
- · Chest pain, sweating or breathlessness
- · New severe headache or neurological symptoms
- · Signs of dehydration — dizziness, dark urine, reduced output
- · Persistent vomiting >48 hours
Call 998 (UAE ambulance) or attend the nearest emergency department for any of the above.
When a same-day GP is appropriate
- · Nausea with severe pain
- · Dehydration or inability to keep fluids down
- · Suspected pregnancy with severe vomiting (hyperemesis)
When a routine GP appointment is fine
- · Recurrent mild nausea
- · Suspected reflux
- · Motion sickness advice
Questions a doctor may ask
- · How long has the nausea lasted?
- · Any vomiting, and any blood in vomit?
- · Any abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation?
- · Any headache, dizziness or neurological symptoms?
- · Any chance of pregnancy?
- · Any recent travel, unusual food, or new medication?
History factors that may matter
- · Pregnancy
- · Diabetes
- · Migraine
- · Reflux disease
- · Gallstones
- · Recent travel
Medicines that may contribute
- · Antibiotics
- · Opioid painkillers
- · Metformin
- · Chemotherapy
- · GLP-1 injections
Never stop a prescribed medication without discussing it with a clinician.
What may happen during the examination
- · Observations and hydration assessment
- · Abdominal examination
- · Neurological assessment where indicated
Tests that may be considered
Blood tests
- · Full blood count
- · Kidney and liver function
- · Electrolytes
- · HbA1c and glucose
- · Amylase or lipase if pancreatitis suspected
- · Pregnancy test (beta-HCG) where relevant
Urine tests
- · Urine dipstick and ketones
Other tests
- · Abdominal ultrasound where indicated
When a specialist referral may be considered
- · Gastroenterology for persistent unexplained nausea
- · Obstetrics for hyperemesis in pregnancy
- · ENT for suspected inner-ear cause
Possible treatment approaches
- · Rehydration — oral or IV
- · Anti-nausea medication (e.g. ondansetron, cyclizine)
- · Treatment of underlying cause
- · Pregnancy-specific antiemetics where appropriate
Safe self-care
- · Small frequent sips of water or oral rehydration solution
- · Bland foods — toast, rice, banana
- · Ginger tea can help mild nausea
- · Avoid strong smells and greasy food
Best avoided
- · Continuing normal food when acutely nauseated
- · Ignoring red-flag features
- · Assuming any nausea in pregnancy is ‘just morning sickness’ without checking hydration
How Aafiyah can help
- · Same-day GP assessment in clinic or at home
- · IV rehydration and antiemetics at home if needed
- · Blood and urine tests
- · Onward referral where required
Related tests
Related conditions
Related symptoms
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop feeling nauseous?+
Take small sips of water or oral rehydration solution, rest, avoid strong smells and greasy food, and try ginger. If nausea persists more than 24–48 hours or you cannot keep fluids down, seek medical care.
Can I get IV fluids at home in Dubai?+
Yes — DHA-licensed nurses can administer IV rehydration at home under GP supervision if you are dehydrated but do not need hospital admission.
When is nausea an emergency?+
Nausea with severe abdominal pain, chest pain, blood in vomit, a severe headache, or signs of severe dehydration is an emergency — attend A&E.
Medical references
- · NICE CKS — Nausea and vomiting in adults — cks.nice.org.uk
- · NHS — Feeling sick (nausea) — nhs.uk
Medically reviewed by: Dr Shahbaz Afzal — British-trained Family Medicine Consultant, DHA-licensed
Written: 2026-07-01 · Reviewed: 2026-07-01 · Next review: 2027-01-01
This page provides general medical information for people in Dubai and the UAE. It does not replace personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified clinician about any medical concern.
Concerned about nausea?
Book a same-day British-trained GP — in clinic, at home or online.
Catch issues early in Dubai — doctor-led screening, bloods & longevity baseline.
Same-day appointments across Dubai and neighbouring communities. Home or clinic visits. WhatsApp us — the message is pre-filled with your area so our team can route you to the closest available slot.
Flagship clinic: Unit G09, Churchill Executive Towers, Business Bay · Home visits 24/7.
Trusted by families and professionals across Dubai.
"Called at 8am with a fever, had a British-trained doctor at my door by 11. He sat with me for 45 minutes — not the 5 minutes I'm used to. Prescription delivered same day. Felt like having a proper GP again."
"We finally have one doctor who knows all of us. The kids actually like going. Follow-up calls happen without us chasing. Worth every dirham."
"The 40+ marker report came back with a real conversation, not a PDF dumped in my inbox. Caught a vitamin deficiency I'd been ignoring for years."
"After surgery I dreaded going back to a hospital for dressings. Their nurse came every other day, the doctor checked in by WhatsApp. Healed faster than I expected."
"Fell ill on day two of our trip. Doctor in the suite within 90 minutes, full assessment, prescription to the hotel pharmacy. Genuinely NHS-standard care in Dubai."
"My father refuses to leave the house. Aafiyah's team comes monthly, manages his medication, and treats him with such dignity. It changed everything for our family."
"Called at 8am with a fever, had a British-trained doctor at my door by 11. He sat with me for 45 minutes — not the 5 minutes I'm used to. Prescription delivered same day. Felt like having a proper GP again."
"We finally have one doctor who knows all of us. The kids actually like going. Follow-up calls happen without us chasing. Worth every dirham."
"The 40+ marker report came back with a real conversation, not a PDF dumped in my inbox. Caught a vitamin deficiency I'd been ignoring for years."
"After surgery I dreaded going back to a hospital for dressings. Their nurse came every other day, the doctor checked in by WhatsApp. Healed faster than I expected."
"Fell ill on day two of our trip. Doctor in the suite within 90 minutes, full assessment, prescription to the hotel pharmacy. Genuinely NHS-standard care in Dubai."
"My father refuses to leave the house. Aafiyah's team comes monthly, manages his medication, and treats him with such dignity. It changed everything for our family."
Start where you're comfortable.
Read first, talk to a doctor, or book in — whichever stage you're at, there's a no-pressure way in.
Free Primary Care Guide
What proper primary care should look like — a short, honest PDF written by our British-trained team. Read it before you decide on a clinic.
Free 15-Minute Doctor Call
Not sure if we're the right fit? Book a free discovery call with one of our GPs. No commitment, no sales — just a clinician answering your questions.
20% Off Your First Appointment
First-time patients save 20% on any first consultation, home visit or blood test. Mention this offer when you enquire — it's our welcome to the clinic.