Why do I Feel Nauseous When I Wake Up

Waking up in the morning should feel quite well refreshing, but for many people, the day eventually starts with an uncomfortable wave of nausea. If you have ever wondered, why am I nauseous in the morning?, know that you are nor alone. Morning nausea can take place when anyone, and it does not usually mean you are sick. Sometimes, small alteration in the body or daily habits can trigger it.

Let us all break down the most common reasons one might feel nauseous when they shall first wake up and what one can do to feel better.

1. Low Blood Sugar

After a full night’s sleep, the body shall go for hours without use of food. This can lead to the blood sugar level to drop. When the blood sugar gets too low, you might also wake up feeling shaky, hungry, dizzy, or nauseous.

People who skip dinner, eat very early, or you must follow strict diets as it might notice this more. Eating a balanced snack at night including yogurt, nuts, or whole-grain crackers. This might further help in keeping sugar levels steady until morning.

2. Acid Reflux or GERD

Acid reflux shall all occur when stomach acid shall eventually move back into oesophagus. When this might be quite frequent, it is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Lying down can further make reflux worse, especially if you:

• Eat late at night

• Have some sort of spicy or greasy foods before going to bed
• Drink coffee, soda, or alcohol in the evening

Morning nausea like condition can lead to reflux and it might come with a sour taste, burning chest feeling, or sore throat. Raising the head of bed is a little and avoiding late-night meals can help.

3. Dehydration

Many people are known to wake up slightly dehydrated even if they do not realize it. Not drinking enough amount of water during the day or sweating overnight can throw off those fluid balance. Dehydration usually leads to condition like:

• Headache

• Dry mouth

• Dizziness
• Nausea

Make sure you drink a glass of water right after waking up. Keeping a water bottle by the bed can help in reminding you to stay hydrated.

4. Anxiety or Stress

Morning nausea-like condition can be linked to anxiety. When the stress hormones spike while cortisol can rise in the early morning and the stomach may react. This can lead to a condition with loss of appetite, tightness in your chest, and nausea.

5. Migraine

For some people, migraines like conditions can strike first thing in the morning. Migraine does not usually start with head pain. Nausea, sensitivity to light, or dizziness shall all come before the headache occurs.

Lack of sleep, screen time before bed, and specific food items can all trigger the condition of the migraine. This shall occur usually as a doctor can help in finding the cause and treatment.

6. Pregnancy

Morning sickness is one of the most well-known causes of waking up nauseous. This gets started around week 6 of pregnancy, but it can happen earlier. Even though it is known as “morning” sickness, it can happen at any time of the day.

7. Medications

Some of the medications might upset the stomach, especially when it is consumed on an empty stomach or before bed. Some of the common ones include:

• Pain relievers

• Antidepressants

• Antibiotics
• Vitamins or supplements, especially iron

When you notice the condition of morning nausea post starting a new medication, speak to the doctor as soon as possible. Sometimes simply changing the time one might take it as it shall make a big difference.

8. Sleep Disorders

Poor sleep-like conditions shall affect more than the energy level. Disorders including insomnia, sleep apnea, or restless sleep can impact digestion and hormones. When your circadian rhythm the body’s internal clock is well disrupted, as one might experience nausea, headaches, and fatigue when waking up.

Good sleep habits, like keeping a regular bedtime and limiting screen time before bed, can help in resetting the sleep cycle.

9. Hormone Imbalance

The body releases different hormones throughout the night and during the early morning. Hormones, including cortisol, estrogen, and progesterone, can notably influence how the stomach feels. This makes nausea common during:

• Menstruation

• Ovulation

• Perimenopause

• Pregnancy

If hormonal alterations are the causes, the nausea shall come and go in cycles.

10. Inner Ear Problems

An inner ear infection can eventually throw off your sense of balance. Because the inner ear helps control motion and stability, any issue there can lead to dizziness and nausea, especially when getting up from the bed.

Some of the symptoms while using this include ringing ears, issues in walking straight, or pressure in the ear.

11. Postnasal Drip

When mucus might drip down the back of throat on being sleepy, it can eventually irritate the stomach. Allergies, colds, or sinus infections usually lead to postnasal drip. This leads to coughing, sore throat, and sometimes morning nausea.

12. Hangover

Alcohol intake can irritate the stomach, dehydrate you, and it shall affect the sleep quality. That is why a hangover usually comes with nausea in the morning. Make sure to drink plenty of water and have a light breakfast including toast or crackers as it can help in setting up the stomach.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Sometimes morning nausea like condition is harmless, but one must talk to a doctor if:

• It happens almost every day

• You might have severe stomach pain or vomiting like condition

• You lose weight without even trying a bit

• You shall be pregnant
• You have symptoms like GERD, migraines, or a sleep disorder

A healthcare professional can eventually help in finding cause and guidance toward the right treatment.

If you keep wondering, “why am I nauseous in the morning?”, remember that many everyday factors can lead to such issues. Right from low blood sugar to stress, dehydration, acid reflux, or even hormone changes, morning nausea is usually treatable once you know the cause.

Kevin P

Kevin P draws on 10+ years of health expertise to share actionable wellness tips. He focuses on making health achievable for everyone.