Nausea and vomiting

Feeling sick or vomiting is never pleasant – but if it’s happening regularly, or alongside changes in your bowel habits, it could be a sign that something deeper is going on in your digestive system. At the Rapid Access Bowel Clinic, we help patients understand the causes of nausea and vomiting, especially when linked to bowel disorders, and guide them towards lasting relief.

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What is nausea?

Nausea is the unpleasant sensation that you’re about to be sick. It can come in waves or persist for long periods and may or may not lead to actual vomiting. You may feel queasy, dizzy, or sensitive to smells or food. Some people also experience:

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• Dry heaving or retching

• Loss of appetite

• Abdominal discomfort or bloating

• Sweating or increased salivation

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When nausea becomes persistent or is associated with other bowel symptoms, it should be assessed by a specialist.

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What causes nausea and vomiting?

Although often thought of as symptoms of stomach bugs or food poisoning, nausea and vomiting can also originate in the bowel – particularly when the gut is inflamed, obstructed or unable to function properly.

Bowel-related causes include:

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• Bowel obstruction – due to strictures, adhesions or tumours, causing food and fluid to back up

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, particularly during flare-ups

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – which can cause nausea, especially when linked with bloating or cramping

• Coeliac disease – where gluten damages the bowel lining and interferes with digestion

• Severe constipation – which can cause pressure and discomfort that leads to nausea

• Gastroenteritis or infection – can affect both the stomach and bowel

• Bowel cancer – particularly if it leads to narrowing or obstruction

• Medication side effects – from treatments such as antibiotics, opioids or chemotherapy

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Occasionally, nausea may be linked to non-digestive causes such as hormonal changes, migraines or neurological issues. However, when it occurs with abdominal symptoms, it’s often bowel-related.

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When should I seek medical help?

You should see a bowel specialist if you’re experiencing:

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• Persistent or recurrent nausea or vomiting

• Nausea with abdominal pain, bloating or weight loss

• Vomiting that contains blood or looks like coffee grounds

• Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, dizziness, reduced urination)

• Nausea with constipation, diarrhoea or a change in bowel habit

• Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly when eating

• A family history of bowel disease or cancer

Early investigation can help identify the cause and rule out serious issues like obstruction or inflammation.

How we investigate nausea and vomiting

At the Rapid access Bowel Clinic, we take a full history of your symptoms and consider how they relate to your bowel health. We may recommend:

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• Blood tests – to check for infection, inflammation, anaemia or electrolyte imbalance

• Stool tests – to assess for infection, malabsorption or blood

• Colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy – to examine the bowel lining

• Coeliac screening – for gluten-related bowel sensitivity

• Imaging – such as abdominal ultrasound, CT or MRI scans to look for obstruction or tumours

• Referral for upper GI tests – if needed, to investigate causes higher in the digestive tract

Our consultants will explain each step and support you throughout the process.

Contact the Rapid Access Bowel Clinic