What are the Most Common Causes of Upset Stomach and Vomiting?

There is a long list of things that may cause a person to experience an upset stomach and vomiting. Commonly, a person develops these symptoms because he has food poisoning or has contracted a virus that causes gastrointestinal symptoms. Other common causes include pregnancy and motion sickness. Even emotional upset and stress are among the most common causes of stomach problems.

Food poisoning is a common condition a person may contract after eating or drinking contaminated food or drink. It can be caused by the presence of bacteria, viruses, and parasites in food. Sometimes it is even caused by food that is contaminated with a toxic substance, such as mushrooms that are not edible. Food poisoning causes such symptoms as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain and cramping. Most cases of food poisoning are unpleasant but rather mild; they often resolve themselves after a couple of days.

Viral illnesses, such as stomach viruses, can also cause upset stomach and vomiting. Interestingly, a stomach virus doesn’t really develop in a person’s stomach at all. Instead, it typically affects a person’s intestine and simply causes symptoms that involve his stomach. Like food poisoning, a stomach virus can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramping of the abdominal region; sometimes a fever is present as well.

Some people also develop an upset stomach because of motion sickness. For example, some people develop motion sickness when they ride in cars or on boats. Others may get sick on amusement park rides as well. In fact, some may even develop vomiting that is related to motion sickness because they are anticipating movement that will make them sick.

Pregnancy is also among the most common causes of an upset stomach and vomiting. Many women experience morning sickness, which is marked by nausea and vomiting, while they are pregnant. Morning sickness can occur at all times of the day, not just during the morning. Some pregnant women are more prone to it when they are just getting out of the bed and have empty stomachs, however.

While many of these causes are physical, it is also possible to have an upset stomach because of emotional upset. Some people feel nauseated when they are under extreme emotional stress, and the emotional upset may sometimes progress to vomiting. Additionally, symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal cramping can be related to emotional stress as well.