Morning nausea can be caused by pregnancy, an empty stomach, acid reflux, or anxiety.
Common causes
- Pregnancy, commonly from week 6.
- An empty stomach and low blood sugar.
- Acid reflux (GERD).
- Anxiety or stress.
- Sinus drainage.
- Medicines on an empty stomach.
What helps
- Eat dry crackers before getting up.
- Small, frequent meals.
- Ginger or peppermint.
See a doctor
If it lasts more than a week, or you vomit blood or have severe pain.
Why mornings
Nausea in the morning can come from an empty stomach, since stomach acid has built up overnight. Hormones such as cortisol rise in the morning, and low blood sugar after fasting overnight can add to nausea.
Pregnancy
Morning sickness affects about 70% to 80% of pregnant people, usually starting around week 6 and improving by weeks 12 to 14. It is related to rising hCG and estrogen levels and can happen any time of the day. Severe vomiting with weight loss and dehydration is called hyperemesis gravidarum and affects about 1% to 3%.
Digestive causes
- Acid reflux or GERD.
- Gastritis or ulcers.
- Gallbladder disease.
- Eating late at night.
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
Other causes
- Anxiety and stress.
- Medications taken on an empty stomach, such as iron, metformin or antibiotics.
- Heavy alcohol use the night before.
- Migraines.
- Sleep apnea or poor sleep.
- Postnasal drip.
What helps
- Eat a small snack, such as crackers, before getting out of bed.
- Sip water or ginger tea.
- Avoid strong smells.
- Eat smaller meals through the day.
- Drink fluids between meals.
- Vitamin B6 and ginger may help morning sickness, according to ACOG.
Hydration
Replace fluids if vomiting occurs, using water or oral rehydration solutions.
See a doctor if
Nausea lasts more than two weeks, with weight loss, severe pain, vomiting blood, fever, headache or signs of dehydration. Seek urgent care for intense headache with vomiting or confusion.
Common non pregnancy causes
Morning nausea can come from an empty stomach after a long overnight fast, when acid builds with no food to absorb it. Acid reflux, gastritis, postnasal drip swallowed overnight, sleep apnea, anxiety, migraine, medications taken on an empty stomach, alcohol the night before and low blood sugar are other causes. Pregnancy is a common cause in people who can become pregnant, with symptoms often beginning around week 6. Dehydration after sleeping several hours also contributes.
Relief and warning signs
Keep crackers or dry toast at the bedside and eat a small snack before getting up, then have a protein containing breakfast. Sip water, ginger tea or peppermint tea, and avoid strong odors. Take medicines with food unless told otherwise. See a doctor if morning nausea lasts more than two weeks, comes with vomiting you cannot control, weight loss, severe headache, abdominal pain, black stools or if you suspect pregnancy with severe vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum), which affects up to 3 percent of pregnancies and can cause dehydration.
Based on data from the Mayo Clinic and ACOG
