Does IBS Cause Nausea? How To Prevent And Manage Discomfort

Nausea can be a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or another condition that sometimes occurs with IBS, such as GERD (a more serious form of acid reflux).

IBS is a chronic condition, meaning it doesn’t go away.

However, symptoms and flare-ups may come and go.

Diet and lifestyle changes, as well as medications and learning to manage stress, may help your nausea related to IBS. 

Read on to learn how IBS causes nausea and start using our evidence-based tips for managing this symptom. 

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Does IBS Cause Nausea?

IBS is a disorder of the gastrointestinal system that is characterized by a variety of symptoms, including nausea. 

A recent study found that women with IBS are more likely to have nausea than men.

The study demonstrated that, on average, men with IBS have nausea once every two weeks, while women with IBS have nausea weekly.

The length of the nausea episodes also differed. For men, nausea lasted about 30 minutes, while women had nausea for almost two hours. 

Causes of Nausea in IBS

IBS is a complicated disorder, and healthcare professionals do not fully understand all of its aspects. 

It’s known that there is a problem with communication between the gut and the brain, which makes the intestines more sensitive and changes how the digestive muscles move food through the system. 

The digestive system also has more inflammation in people with IBS.

However, IBS doesn’t damage the intestines.

Gastroesophageal disorder (GERD) is another digestive condition that people with IBS commonly have.

It happens when acid from the stomach flows back into the esophagus and causes heartburn and other symptoms like nausea. 

Have IBS symptoms? Take the IBS quiz understand whether or not you have IBS.

Other Symptoms of IBS

Along with nausea, IBS causes other symptoms that affect the digestive tract.

The most common symptoms of IBS include:

• Bloating.
• Abdominal pain.
• Diarrhea or constipation.
• White mucus in the school.
• Feeling like you can’t complete a bowel movement. 

People with IBS can vary between having normal bowel movements and constipation or diarrhea.

Depending on what your stool pattern tends to be, your healthcare provider may diagnose you with a certain type of IBS.

IBS With Diarrhea (IBS-D)

IBS with diarrhea is when more than a quarter of your stools are loose or watery or less than a quarter of your stools are hard or lumpy on days when you have at least one abnormal bowel movement.

IBS With Constipation (IBS-C)

IBS with constipation is when more than a quarter of your stools are hard or lumpy, and less than a quarter of your stools are loose or watery on days when you have at least one abnormal bowel movement.

IBS With Mixed Bowel Habits (IBS-M)

Mixed IBS is when your stools vary between more than a quarter being hard or lumpy and more than a quarter being loose or watery on days when you have at least one abnormal bowel movement.

Tips For Managing Nausea In IBS

IBS symptoms, including nausea and abdominal pain, can significantly impact quality of life. 

If you are struggling with nausea from IBS, below are some tips for how to manage it. 

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Identify Trigger Foods 

Everyone with IBS has different foods they are sensitive to.

Identifying foods that trigger your nausea is an important strategy for managing nausea. 

Consider keeping a detailed food diary to help you track your food intake and compare it to your nausea episodes.

Take notes about what foods, beverages, and supplements you take, when you consume them, andwhat symptoms you experience.

By being consistent with this, you may start to notice trends on which foods trigger nausea.

Once you know your triggers, you can avoid them and select foods that don’t trigger your nausea.

Try Low-FODMAP Diet 

A low-FODMAP diet reduces foods that contain hard-to-digest carbohydrates, known as FODMAPS.

If you have IBS, your digestive tract may have trouble digesting these foods.

Consider following the low-FODMAP diet to see if your symptoms reduce. 

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, some foods high in FODMAPs include:

• Fruits such as apples, apricots, blackberries, cherries, mango, nectarines, pears, plums, and watermelon, or juice containing any of these fruits.
• Canned fruit in natural fruit juice, or large amounts of fruit juice or dried fruit.
• Vegetables such as artichokes, asparagus, beans, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic and garlic salts, lentils, mushrooms, onions, and sugar snap or snow peas.
• Dairy products such as milk and milk products.
• Wheat and rye products.
• Honey and foods with high-fructose corn syrup.
• Products, including candy and gum, with sweeteners ending in “–ol,” such as sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, and maltitol.

Practice Stress Management Techniques

People with IBS often have anxiety or depression.

Because IBS is a disorder of the gut-brain interaction, learning stress management techniques may help reduce your IBS symptoms.

While not specific to nausea, one study found that learning mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques helped decrease digestive symptoms related to IBS. 

Other therapies medical providers often recommend for people with IBS include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy: Learning to change your thoughts and behavior patterns may improve your IBS symptoms.
• Gut-directed hypnotherapy: Having a therapist use hypnosis to put you into a relaxed or focused state may help improve IBS symptoms.
• Relaxation training: Learning relaxation techniques can help you relax your body and reduce stress. 

Take Medications

Your medical provider may prescribe medication for your IBS based on your stool symptoms.

If you tend to have diarrhea, your provider may prescribe medications to help reduce diarrhea.

On the other hand, if your stools lean towards constipation, your medical provider may prescribe fiber supplements, laxatives, and medications to help you have regular bowel movements. 

If your nausea is severe, talk to your medical provider about medications specific to treating nausea. 

Consult Your Medical Provider

If your nausea is not relieved by following these tips, it’s recommended you talk with your medical provider. 

They can do an assessment to determine if another condition is causing your nausea.

Several conditions can cause nausea, and some of them require medical treatment. 

If your nausea is severe and causes you to frequently vomit, it’s very important to stay hydrated by drinking water and fluids that contain electrolytes (fruit juices, sports drinks, Pedialyte).  

Signs that you need medical care include:

• Vomiting longer than 24 hours.
• Not being able to keep fluids down for 12 hours or more.
• Vomiting three or more times in one day.
• Haven’t urinated for eight or more hours.
• Headache or stiff neck.

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Other Causes of Nausea

Nausea is a common digestive concern many people experience.

Several things can make you feel nauseous, including:

• Food intolerances or allergies.
• Food poisoning.
• GERD.
• Medication side effects.
• Pregnancy.
• Migraine headaches.
• Appendicitis.
• Intestinal blockage.
• Stomach ulcers.

Prevention

IBS is a chronic condition that requires life-long management.

While you may not be able to prevent all episodes of nausea, learning ways to reduce it by the foods you eat, learning stress management techniques, and taking medications can help keep nausea from affecting your quality of life. 

Takeaway

IBS is a complex condition that happens when your gut and brain have difficulty communicating, causing the intestines to become sensitive, which may change gut motility (how the muscles move food through the digestive tract).

Nausea is a common symptom of IBS.

Learning what foods trigger your nausea, following a low-FODMAP diet, learning stress management, and taking IBS medication can help you find relief from nausea. 

How a Dietitian Can Help

A registered dietitian specializing in IBS can help you determine foods that may be causing your symptoms and help you discover ways to feel better.

By getting to know your personal preferences, your dietitian can help you develop meal plans that meet your nutritional needs while not triggering nausea. 

Find a dietitian through Nourish—all appointments are online and covered by most insurance providers.