How to Overcome Nausea at Night

Co-authored by Roy Nattiv, MD

Last Updated: February 22, 2024 Approved

For many people who experience nausea, it’s related to morning sickness during pregnancy or reactions to chemotherapy for cancer, yet there are many other causes, and sometimes food, a stomach flu, or stress can causes nausea, particularly at night before bed.^{[1]
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Peter Gardner, MD
Board Certified Gastroenterologist

Expert Interview. 25 August 2020.} Nausea at night can make falling asleep difficult, but there are a number of ways you can alleviate it so that you can sleep soundly and wake up refreshed.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Easing the Symptoms of Nausea

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Try acupressure. Targeting the pressure point that eases motion sickness can keep nausea away. This point is the Pericardium 6 (PC6), located on your wrist. Find it by placing three fingers at the crease of your wrist with your palm up. This area on the inside of your arm/wrist can be targeted through pressure from your fingers.
These bands, designed to use acupressure to keep you from experiencing motion sickness, are often available at drugstores or travel stores. They are typically a small sweatband that goes around your wrist at the PC6 with a half of a small ball attached to keep constant pressure.^{[2]
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Lavender and peppermint are those most associated with calming the stomach and helping nausea. You can use them as essential oils and put them on your wrists, or on a soothing face mask. You could also try them as candle scents.
Sometimes there are particular smells that can trigger nausea. These might be from food, strong perfume, or rotting or decaying smells. Keep your area well-ventilated (particularly the kitchen and eating area) to combat this.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Eating to Help Nausea

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Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast are the foods that have been proven to help prevent diarrhea, but can also help symptoms of nausea and vomiting. The BRAT diet is not meant to be used long-term, as it does not provide necessary nutrients to your body. Once your nausea has subsided, you should start adding in fresh fruits and vegetables and then return to your normal diet.^{[4]
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If the BRAT diet is too restrictive, you can add bland foods into the mix. ^{[5]
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Go to source} Nausea can often be made worse by spicy foods. Even if food doesn’t sound good, attempt to eat some saltine crackers or bread to try and help settle your stomach.
Eating right before you lay down to sleep can increase nausea.^{[6]
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Peter Gardner, MD
Board Certified Gastroenterologist

Expert Interview. 25 August 2020.} Give yourself enough time to fully digest your meal before sleep. Eating close to bedtime can also increase the possibility of heartburn.^{[7]
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Even if your nausea typically occurs at night, eating more frequent, small meals can help prevent nausea. Keeping your stomach mostly full might also help prevent nausea from becoming more severe.
^{[8]
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Peter Gardner, MD
Board Certified Gastroenterologist

Expert Interview. 25 August 2020.} These tend to exacerbate nausea. Your body can also have more difficulty processing these foods. It’s best to aim for light and healthy foods (fresh fruits and vegetables) that can keep your body working smoothly.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Drinking to Help Nausea

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Staying well-hydrated is one of the most important steps to take when combating nausea.^{[9]
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Peter Gardner, MD
Board Certified Gastroenterologist

Expert Interview. 25 August 2020.} Try drinking an extra 16 oz of water beyond what you normally drink at night.^{[10]
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Many doctors recommend ginger or peppermint tea as a remedy for nausea. The teas and their scents can help calm your stomach. You can also try either flavor in different forms — ginger in foods is common, and peppermint candies can also help.
Many people find that the bubbles of carbonation can help an upset stomach. Choose ginger ale or citrus-flavored carbonated beverages. Use sparingly, since soda is not very healthy. A small glass can sometimes help, often coupled with some crackers or other bland food.^{[11]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Visiting the Doctor for Nausea

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1
Try doctor-prescribed medicine. Some nausea is only going to respond to medication.^{[12]
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Peter Gardner, MD
Board Certified Gastroenterologist

Expert Interview. 25 August 2020.} Follow the treatment regimen described by your doctor. Watch for side effects — many anti-nausea medications cause drowsiness.^{[13]
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- Prochlorperazine is the most commonly used anti-nausea medication. It is moderately effective for nausea and other GI disorders, but not as effective for chemotherapy-induced nausea.
- Metoclopramide and ondansetron are two other anti-nausea medications your doctor may prescribe.
- Always follow your doctor's instructions on dosage and duration of medication.
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Consider marijuana if it's legal. If you live in a state where medical marijuana is legal, chances are that many doctors prescribe it for the nausea that can accompany chemotherapy. Many studies have shown that it can be an effective treatment for nausea. Keep in mind that marijuana comes in many forms — a candy or other edible form might be a good choice. Talk to your medical professional about a possible prescription.
- Unfavorable side effects of include vertigo, dry mouth, low blood pressure, and depression.
If you have experienced nausea for over a month and if your vomiting has lasted more than two days, you should see your doctor. Also go if you have unexplained weight loss. Your doctor will be able to help you, and might include a different diet or even medication.^{[14]
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4
Monitor your symptoms. Extreme nausea coupled with other symptoms might mean you need to take a trip as soon as possible to your doctor or a clinic. Take prompt action if nausea is accompanied by:^{[15]
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- Chest pains
- High fever
- Cramping
- Fecal odor in your vomit
- Fainting
- Confusion
- Blurred vision
- You can keep a vomiting diary if you have cyclic vomiting syndrome.^{[16]
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  Roy Nattiv, MD
  Board Certified Gastroenterologist
  
  Expert Interview. 14 October 2020.}
- Note the triggers for the vomiting episodes, such as the things you ate, drinks you took, or the activities you engaged in before the episode.^{[17]
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  Roy Nattiv, MD
  Board Certified Gastroenterologist
  
  Expert Interview. 14 October 2020.}
- Anxiety can also cause vomiting episodes.^{[18]
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  Roy Nattiv, MD
  Board Certified Gastroenterologist
  
  Expert Interview. 14 October 2020.}
5
Seek immediate medical attention for some symptoms coupled with nausea. This would mean a trip to the emergency room or an immediate appointment at your doctor’s office. Watch for these symptoms, together with nausea, because they can be serious.
- Pain or a headache (like you’ve never had before)
- You can’t keep food or drink down for 12 hours
- Your vomit is green, bloody, or looks like coffee grounds
- You have symptoms of dehydration (extreme thirst, dark urine, dizziness, etc.)

How Do You Cure Nausea?

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Question

Can you treat frequent nausea without medication?

Peter Gardner, MD
Board Certified Gastroenterologist
Peter W. Gardner, MD is a board certified physician who has practiced Gastroenterology and Hepatology for over 30 years. He specializes in diseases of the digestive system and liver. Dr. Gardner earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina and attended Georgetown Medical School. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine and then his fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of Connecticut. He is a previous Chief of Gastroenterology at Stamford Hospital and remains on the staff. He is also on the staff of Greenwich Hospital and New York (Columbia) Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Gardner is an Approved Consultant in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology with the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Peter Gardner, MD

Board Certified Gastroenterologist

Expert Answer

It really depends on the cause. If you tend to experience nausea frequently for no reason, you ought to see a doctor. That's not common and is often stress-related. If it is, you can treat the stress without medication.

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How can you avoid cyclic vomiting?

Roy Nattiv, MD
Board Certified Gastroenterologist
Dr. Roy Nattiv is a Board-Certified Pediatric Gastroenterologist in Los Angeles, California. With over 20 years of experience he specializes in a broad range of pediatric gastrointestinal and nutritional illnesses such as constipation, diarrhea, reflux, food allergies, poor weight gain, SIBO, IBD, and IBS. He completed his pediatric residency at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, and his fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). While at UCSF, he was a California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) fellowship trainee and was awarded the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) Fellow to Faculty Award in Pediatric IBD Research. Dr. Nattiv received his undergrad degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his medical degree (MD) from the Sackler School of Medicine in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Roy Nattiv, MD

Board Certified Gastroenterologist

Expert Answer

Good sleep hygiene is essential to decrease the frequency of cyclic vomiting syndrome episodes. Staying hydrated also helps to avoid them.

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Question

Which foods usually trigger cyclic vomiting episodes?

Roy Nattiv, MD
Board Certified Gastroenterologist
Dr. Roy Nattiv is a Board-Certified Pediatric Gastroenterologist in Los Angeles, California. With over 20 years of experience he specializes in a broad range of pediatric gastrointestinal and nutritional illnesses such as constipation, diarrhea, reflux, food allergies, poor weight gain, SIBO, IBD, and IBS. He completed his pediatric residency at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, and his fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). While at UCSF, he was a California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) fellowship trainee and was awarded the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) Fellow to Faculty Award in Pediatric IBD Research. Dr. Nattiv received his undergrad degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his medical degree (MD) from the Sackler School of Medicine in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Roy Nattiv, MD

Board Certified Gastroenterologist

Expert Answer

Anything that is too salty or spicy, or has MSG, can trigger cyclic vomiting episodes. Chocolates and cheese are a few trigger foods.

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