Causes of chronic nausea and vomiting

In chronic nausea and vomiting, a cause is often difficult to identify. Appropriate investigation is important to identify a cause, which may include:

• structural or metabolic disorders (eg kidney or heart failure)
• gastro-oesophageal reflux
• gastroparesis
• a neurological disorder
• anxiety
• depression
• drug-induced—particularly in the setting of polypharmacy (consider pharmacist review)
• cyclical vomiting syndrome—may be caused by chronic cannabis use.

If a cause of chronic nausea and vomiting is identified, it should be treated. If no cause is identified, see Chronic unexplained nausea and vomiting.