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Nausea After Eating with/without Vomiting – List of Causes

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Nausea after eating typically presents immediately after or within 20 to 30 minutes after eating. It can last anywhere from less than 30 minutes to up to an hour. Very rarely, does it start 1 hour or more after eating and in these instances, it may not be related to eating. The nauseous feeling may vary in intensity and can be acute or chronic (recurrent, persistent, constant).

Most cases of nausea after eating are associated with gastrointestinal causes. However there are some psychiatric and systemic causes which may need to be considered.

Gastrointestinal Causes

Most conditions that affect the upper gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, duodenum) may cause nausea after eating. The presence of concomitant signs and symptoms may be necessary to identify a possible cause.

  • Acute gastroenteritis (infection)
    • Vomiting – intolerant to solids in the early stages
    • Diarrhea
    • Fever
  • Gastritis
    • Gastric pain
    • Occasional vomiting
    • Belching
    • Bloating
    • Loss of appetite
    • Aggravated by alcohol, certain drugs, caffeine and spicy foods
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Dyspepsia (indigestion) – non-ulcer or functional dyspepsia
  • Gallbladder disease
    • Nausea worse after eating fats – symptoms similar to dyspepsia
    • Severe upper middle abdominal pain worse after eating, especially with gallstones
  • Gastrointestinal obstruction
    • Projectile vomiting
    • Gastric outlet obstruction – vomit not stained with bile
    • Obstruction distal to (after) the pylorus – green to bright yellow bile vomit
    • Abdominal distension
    • Intestinal spasms (colicky pains)
  • Gastroparesis
    • Vomiting
    • Abdominal distension
    • Bloated (feeling of fullness after a few bites)
    • GERD
    • Fluctuating blood sugar levels
    • Lack of appetite

Nausea after eating may also be due to pancreatitis, hepatitis or appendicitis.

In infants, nausea cannot be reported but vomiting following eating should be considered seriously if it occurs after every feeding and there is failure to thrive. Causes like pyloric stenosis, malrotation, Hirschsprung’s disease an intussusception need to be investigated.

Other Causes

  • Psychogenic nausea after eating may be seen when a person considers the food being consumed as repulsive. Sometimes this is also evident in anorexics who are forced to eat.
  • Pregnancy – nausea is common after eating, especially in the mornings.
  • Cancer treatment – chemotherapy, radiation therapy – often associated with gastritis.
  • Angina may result in chest pain and nausea after eating.
  • Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) – nausea after eating due to elevation of blood sugar levels which peaks about 90 minutes after eating. Nausea when blood sugar levels are low may also be reported.
  • Ingestion of poisons may cause nausea almost immediately after eating or drinking the toxic substance.

Article reviewed by Dr. Greg. Last updated on October 28, 2010