The member who responded first said that nausea associated with excessive burping could be a sign of stomach cancer, which is a false statement. One cannot be diagnosed with such serious condition based on one symptom, which is most likely an indicator of a more benign condition. The same person tried to correct the previous statement by saying that the more likely cause was a bad diet and sensitivity to lactose. He/she suggested the discussion starter to try going off milk and dairy for a week and see if this helps.
In his response, discussion starter said that he doesn't drink milk or like dairy products. He was worried at the possibility that it could be stomach cancer as the first responder suggested since he's only 16 years old. The discussion starter then mentioned an important thing that could be connected to the nausea feeling:
It all started a few weeks after I drank an obscene amount of vodka and went paralytic.
Clearly, drinking huge amounts of alcohol triggered this, but there was still a mystery why the symptoms last that long?
Another member joined the discussion suggesting the member who started it to get an ultrasound of the stomach, stating that it could be something to do with his gallbladder, such as gallstones.
Others joined providing their opinion on what could be wrong with the discussion starter. One member said that the same thing happened to him, adding that it could be a malfunction of lower esophageal or upper esophageal sphincter, a bundle of muscles that act like doors to the esophagus, preventing the food going in the lungs and acid and stomach contents from climbing back up. It is common in conditions such as acid reflux or GERD. This member suggested looking this problem up on the internet to find some helpful tips on how to deal with it. He also suggested that if the discussion starter wants a diagnosis, he should ask his doctor for a barium swallow test.
Another member mentioned achalasia, a condition opposite of GERD, in which the esophageal sphincter instead of being too open and letting acid up, is too tight and won't let the food down.
I had a Heller myotomy from a gastroenterologist trained in the procedure, and now I am fine.
One participant in the discussion said that her daughter had all the symptoms listed in previous posts, i.e. night time nausea, and after she got diagnosed with celiac disease.
We took her off all wheat products (you would be amazed at what it is in) and she feels 100% better.
Other participant had the same condition diagnosed.
The thing that helped me most was getting gluten out of my diet.
Another condition mentioned in the discussion as a possible cause for nighttime nausea was a hiatial hernia, in which the stomach starts to swell or protrude into the esophagus, to the point where food, liquid cannot actually make it down to where it should be and therefore has no other option but to come back up. It happens more often at night because when you lay down, anything that has no made it down, start to come back up. The member who reported this cause said that doctors told him/her to sleep either sitting up with pillows supporting him/her or elevate the bed with blocks to a 45-degree angle.
But, could nighttime nausea alone be a symptom of stomach cancer as mentioned in the first reply? Not likely.
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I don't want to scare you but the fact that you have nausea associated with excessive burping could be a sign of stomach cancer.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stomach-cancer/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3932002/ -
Stomach cancer wise up
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stomach-cancer/diagnosis/
https://www.who.int/cancer/media/en/408.pdf
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer/symptoms/
https://www.nature.com/articles/nature13480
What do experts say?
The person who started discussion reported a problem of being very sick at night that started after the episode of heavy drinking. So, could it be a hangover? It's possible, but typically, a hangover begins within several hours after you stop drinking and will end within 24 hours. The feeling of sickness that the discussion starter reported lasted for weeks. Hangovers can indeed continue for a couple of days in more severe cases or in times when alcohol withdrawal occurs. However, in an average hangover, symptoms do not last for more than 72 hours.
So, could it be some underlying condition causing nausea at night? More likely. There are many conditions that can cause nausea that can exacerbate at night. Digestive problems are considered the most common cause of stomach pain, discomfort, and nausea at night. Some of these were mentioned in the discussion.
Acid reflux
Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a ring of muscle that separates your esophagus and your stomach, is unable to close tightly after you’ve ingested food or fluids. This causes stomach acids to travel up into the food pipe, causing a burning sensation. Acid reflux often causes nausea, gas, bloating, sore throat, cough, and vomiting.
A number of factors can increase the risk of acid reflux, with excessive alcohol consumption being one of the most common. Other factors include:
- overeating, especially close to bedtime
- lying down too soon after eating
- eating spicy foods, etc.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
GERD is a common cause of nighttime nausea. The frequent burping and coughing associated with GERD can create nausea. These symptoms often intensify when lying down.
One of the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that can cause nausea is acid reflux, mentioned above. Another is indigestion, or heartburn, that can contribute to nausea especially when lying down.
Alcohol consumption may increase symptoms of GERD and cause damage to the esophageal mucosa.
Gastritis
Gastritis occurs when the stomach walls become irritated and inflamed, leading to a painful or burning sensation, as well as nausea, gas, and vomiting. Untreated gastritis can lead to ulcers, bleeding, and cancer.
Alcohol intolerance
In alcohol intolerance, your digestive system doesn’t process alcohol properly. You might also react to certain alcoholic beverages if you have a histamine or sulfites intolerance. However, alcohol intolerance is usually caused by a genetic metabolic disorder.
Symptoms
The most common and characteristic symptoms of alcohol intolerance include:
- Flushing of the skin on the face, neck, and chest
- Nausea
- Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) or heart palpitations
- Hypotension (lowered blood pressure)
- Hangover-like symptoms, including severe, throbbing headache and fatigue, that may last longer
Most cases of nighttime nausea are not a reason for immediate concern. However, if symptoms occur more than once a week or become long-term, a doctor should be consulted.
Treatment
The treatment will depend on the underlying cause. Lifestyle changes are generally the first recommended line of treatment. You may be recommended to:
- avoid or limit alcohol consumption (especially binge drinking)
- avoid overeating or eating close to bedtime
- elevate the head of the bed while sleeping
- avoid spicy or fatty foods, as well as coffee, or sugars
Your doctor may also prescribe over-the-counter medications, such as antacids and gas medications. If these steps don't help, additional tests may be ordered.
Links:
Discussion highlights
What symptoms have been reported?
- I get motion sickness in the car which I never used to and I feel like I'm going to be sick.
- I was nauseaous for 5 years at night thinking it was what I ate or acid reflux, several trips to the ER over the years and diagnosed each time with stomach flu finally went for a physical and told my dr and she began scans and blood tests.
- during 1st year in collegei had some chest pain which though to be acid reflux.
- he has always had stomach issues, but lately has picked up this night time nausea thing.
- Also, sometimes after dinner, it feels like my food NEVER goes down, like 4 hours later I still feel horribly full and I'm miserable, soooooo sick of this happening!
What diagnosis has been made?
- The only thing that helps 90% of the time is alprazolam (xanax) I have been diagnosed with GERD and IBS.
- I just found out that my blood sugars are high with the bouts of nausea.
- Turned out it was never stomach flu it was a large tumor in my right upper quadrant and when I laid down at night it pressed against everything and made me sick.
- I've seen doctor after doctor and they all told me its acid reflux
- I was diagnosed with acid reflux in my senior year.
What helped relieve the symptoms?
- The only thing that helps 90% of the time is alprazolam (xanax) I have been diagnosed with GERD and IBS.
- A doctor many years ago put me on xanax.
- :) You need to take probiotics and digestive enzymes three times daily to help your GI system as you recover from the damage gluten has done.
- At the moment i am stuck taking gaviscon tablets everynight - which are rather expensive after a while.
- Eventually, about two months of near-constant nausea I tried Phazyme.
In conclusion
Nausea experienced at night is an uncommon symptom that may be caused by drinking alcohol, especially excessively. Most cases of nighttime nausea are not a reason for immediate concern. However, if symptoms occur more than once a week or become long-term, it could be a sign of an underlying condition. In that case, your doctor should be consulted for the proper diagnosis.