Most people associate morning nausea with pregnancy, but it is only one of several causes. Nausea is an aversion to food and the expectation of vomiting; although, vomiting does not always accompany nausea. While many diseases and conditions cause nausea, only a few have specific associations with nausea occurring in the morning.
Hormones
Hormonal changes can cause nausea. In women, puberty, pregnancy and menopause cause hormonal changes that may result in morning nausea. Fluctuating progesterone can cause nausea in adolescent girls, while women entering menopause may have nausea due to decreasing estrogen levels. Up to 90 percent of pregnant women who have changing gonadotropin and progesterone levels will have morning nausea, notes MayoClinic.com. Additionally, men and women with Addison's disease may experience morning nausea due to insufficient production of several adrenal gland hormones.
Gastrointestinal
Irritable bowel syndrome, cyclic vomiting syndrome and gastroparesis include symptoms of morning nausea. Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, affects the lower intestinal tract, but affected individuals may experience morning nausea. Cyclic vomiting is characterized by cyclic nausea and vomiting. The prodrome phase of cyclic vomiting is signified by morning nausea. Morning nausea is an important sign of gastroparesis, which is defined as impaired digestive transit. All three conditions involve gastric mobility or irritation.
Headaches
Many types of headaches exist, but only a few types commonly cause morning nausea. Sinus headaches usually exhibit mucus drainage. The draining sinus mucus, which is swallowed during sleep, often causes morning nausea. Rebound headaches can cause morning nausea, as well. These headaches occur with the overuse of pain medications. Lastly, migraine headaches often cause nausea, although it can occur at times other than morning.
Renal Failure
When kidneys fail to properly filter toxins and waste products from your blood, it is called renal or kidney failure. Urea nitrogen is a waste product that your kidney removes from your blood by filtration. If your kidney’s filtration process is diminished, your blood urea nitrogen will rise. As the nitrogen breaks down into ammonia, the increased ammonia can stimulate nausea and vomiting. Morning nausea is common in patients with kidney failure.
Chemotherapy
Certain cancer treatment drugs can cause nausea. Staying hydrated by drinking at least 2 quarts of fluids per day can prevent dehydration nausea. Eating dry foods, such as toast or crackers, without liquids may help prevent chemotherapy-induced morning nausea. Your doctor can also prescribe anti-nausea drugs to combat nausea during chemotherapy. Additionally, ginger, chamomile and peppermint may help soothe morning nausea.
References
- KidsHealth: Why Do Some Girls Get PMS
- Menopause A to Z: Nausea and Menopause
- MayoClinic.com: Morning Sickness
- UpToDate: Patient Information -- Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison's Disease)
- Johns Hopkins: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- National Institutes of Health: Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
- Mayo Clinic: Headache
- Oregon Health and Science University: Nutrition and Cancer
- The Oley Foundation: Gastroparesis
- New Medicine: Complete Family Health Guide: David Peters, Kenneth R. Pelletier
