Nausea (synonyms: Nausea (sickness); ICD-10-GM R11: Nausea and vomiting) refers to the feeling of needing to vomit.
The so-called physiological nausea protects the body after the ingestion of spoiled food (most often bacterial contamination) or pollutants, so it is an alarm signal of the body. Likewise, nausea can occur in connection with various diseases.
Nausea occurs both when contaminated food is ingested and in the course of intoxication, and in connection with various diseases.
Nausea is regulated by both the central and autonomic nervous systems and is a type of protective mechanism when contaminated food and noxious substances are ingested.
Morning sickness during pregnancy (see also under vomiting during pregnancy/hyperemesis gravidarum) also occurs very frequently; the etiology (cause) has not yet been precisely clarified. It is assumed that the hormonal change – in particular the increased synthesis (new formation)/secretion (release) of beta-HCG (pregnancy hormone) – causes the nausea.
Nausea occurring on ship voyages is caused by a disturbance in the equilibrium organ of the inner ear.
A special form of nausea is “cytostatic-induced nausea and vomiting” (synonym: chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, CINE), which receives special attention in the S3 guideline “Supportive therapy in oncological patients”.
Nausea can be a symptom of many diseases (see “Differential diagnoses”). Frequently, it is a disease of the gastrointestinal tract or a peritoneal irritation (peritoneal irritation, e.g., appendicitis/illness).
Course and prognosis: Nausea often subsides spontaneously. If it persists for more than three days and the general condition of the affected person is poor, medical clarification is required.Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINE) requires antiemetic prophylaxis (agents against nausea and vomiting) as supportive therapy (supportive measure) during chemotherapy.
