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Nauseous out of nowhere: What causes nausea? 12 common causes and their treatments

What causes nausea? 12 common causes and their treatments

Several conditions can cause nausea, including stress, anxiety, infections, and motion sickness. Occasional temporary nausea is also common but typically not cause for concern.

Nausea is a sensation that makes a person feel they need to vomit. Sometimes, individuals with nausea do vomit, but not always.

In this article, we explore what triggers nausea, including a list of 12 common causes. We will also discuss some of these conditions in more detail and describe their symptoms and treatments.

Several types of infection may cause nausea, including:

Food poisoning or stomach flu

Gastrointestinal infections, such as those caused by food poisoning or viruses, are among the most common reasons for nausea.

Symptoms may include:

  • nausea
  • stomach pain or cramping
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea

Food poisoning occurs when a person ingests food or drink containing a virus, toxin, or bacterium, such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli. Other gastrointestinal viruses, such as norovirus or rotavirus, occur due to close contact with someone who is sick.

These infections usually clear up on their own at home. Drinking enough fluids and electrolytes is important for preventing dehydration, particularly in young children.

Flu and COVID-19

Other types of viral infection can also trigger nausea, such as flu and COVID-19. The symptoms of COVID-19 include:

  • fever or chills
  • loss of taste or smell
  • cough
  • shortness of breath
  • fatigue
  • headache
  • body aches
  • blocked or runny nose
  • sore throat
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea

A 2021 review found that out of 6,335 people with COVID-19, 79% experienced nausea.

People with flu can also have many of these symptoms. Nausea is more common in children with flu compared to adults, but both groups may experience it.

Because the symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of flu and can vary from person to person, it is important to stay at home and follow local guidelines if someone has any symptoms that may indicate COVID-19.

Learn the differences between the common cold, flu, and COVID-19.

A range of digestive disorders can induce nausea, including:

  • Gastritis: Acid or a bacterium called H. pylori often cause inflammation of the stomach, which can lead to stomach ulcers.
  • Gastroparesis: With this condition, the stomach empties much slower than it should. Certain medications or nerve damage usually cause this, which is common in people with diabetes.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease: Triggers chronic acid reflux and indigestion.
  • IBS: Causes stomach cramping, along with diarrhea or constipation.
  • Celiac disease: An autoimmune condition that causes symptoms in response to gluten.
  • Gallbladder conditions: Includes issues such as gallstones.
  • Pancreas conditions: Includes issues such as pancreatitis.

Typically, nausea is not the only symptom of chronic digestive disorders. A person may also experience:

  • abdominal bloating or fullness
  • gas or belching
  • heartburn or indigestion
  • diarrhea, constipation, or both
  • abdominal pain and cramping
  • reactions or intolerance to specific foods or food groups

The diagnosis and treatment for digestive disorders vary depending on the cause. They may involve a combination of medications, dietary or lifestyle changes, or in some cases, medical procedures.

Learn more about common and uncommon digestive disorders.

Mental health and digestive health are closely linked. People with mental health conditions can experience digestive symptoms, including nausea. Similarly, stress can also exacerbate digestive conditions.

People who frequently feel stressed, anxious, or panicked may have an anxiety disorder. The symptoms of anxiety include:

  • nausea
  • rapid heartbeat
  • quick or shallow breathing
  • choking sensation in the throat
  • sweating
  • dizziness
  • tense muscles

Severe anxiety can also trigger panic attacks, or in some cases, fainting. For example, people with a fear of needles or blood may experience nausea, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. This is known as vasovagal syncope.

People can also experience a phobia of nausea and vomiting itself. Doctors call this emetophobia.

Treatment for anxiety disorders typically involves talking therapy, medication to manage symptoms, or both.

Find a comprehensive list of mental health resources here.

The vestibular system resides in the inner ear, helping the body retain a sense of balance and know where it is relative to its surroundings. Issues with this system can cause dizziness or vertigo, which in turn causes nausea.

Conditions that may cause this include:

  • Motion sickness: Occurs in response to conflicting signals of movement sent to the brain. Riding in cars, planes, or boats often triggers this.
  • Labyrinthitis: An inner ear infection that can occur following a cold or flu.
  • Vestibular neuritis: Occurs when the nerve inside the inner ear becomes inflamed.
  • Meniere’s disease: Causes sudden episodes of dizziness, which can be severe.

The treatment for inner ear disorders can vary depending on the cause and the individual. People with an ear infection may find symptoms improve on their own over time, while over-the-counter (OTC) travel sickness medications may be enough to ease occasional motion sickness.

Those with more chronic conditions may need to try various medications, lifestyle changes, or coping techniques to manage their symptoms.

Changes in hormone levels, such as those caused by pregnancy, hormonal contraception, or endocrine disorders, may also cause nausea.

Pregnancy

Nausea is a common symptom during pregnancy. It is often known as morning sickness, although it can occur at any time. It may also develop suddenly or gradually.

Pregnant people may experience nausea when around certain foods or smells, or when they are hungry. Generally, morning sickness improves after 14 weeks.

Doctors may prescribe vitamin B6 or doxylamine to help with nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

Thyroid disorders

The thyroid gland controls hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism. Both overactive or underactive thyroid can cause nausea.

Symptoms of an overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, include:

  • nervousness
  • tiredness or muscle weakness
  • irritability
  • intolerance to heat
  • difficulty sleeping
  • shaky hands
  • rapid heartbeat
  • frequent bowel movements
  • weight loss and difficulty gaining weight

Symptoms of an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, include:

  • tiredness
  • puffy face
  • weight gain and difficulty losing weight
  • constipation
  • intolerance to the cold
  • dry skin and hair
  • depression
  • slower heartbeat

Doctors often treat these conditions with medication, which can also cause nausea as a side effect.

There are many ways in which changes in the brain and nervous system can cause nausea. Scientists do not fully understand all of them yet.

One of the most common neurological conditions that triggers nausea is migraine. This is a disorder that causes episodes of moderate-to-severe headache, along with other symptoms, including:

  • light or sound sensitivity
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • aura, which are neurological changes that some people experience before pain develops

Some individuals also experience silent or acephalgic migraine, which does not cause any pain.

There are several treatments for migraine. For occasional or less severe episodes, people may find taking OTC pain medications and avoiding triggers is enough. For severe or frequent migraine, a person may need preventative medications or other therapies.

More serious neurological causes for nausea include head trauma, meningitis, or a hemorrhage.

Nausea is a common side effect of many medications, including:

  • antibiotics
  • antidepressants
  • OTC pain medication, such as aspirin or ibuprofen
  • certain supplements, such as iron
  • opioids
  • chemotherapy

Medications work by changing chemical processes in the brain and body. For example, neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, can impact nausea and vomiting, so drugs that act on these chemicals can worsen or improve these symptoms.

Medication-related nausea and vomiting can be constant or occur at random intervals. It usually starts shortly after taking a new medication. Speak with a doctor if medicines could be causing nausea.

What helps people manage nausea can vary depending on the cause. For general nausea relief, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) suggest:

  • getting fresh air
  • eating small, frequent meals
  • staying hydrated by sipping cold drinks, such as water or juice
  • drinking ginger or peppermint tea
  • eating foods that contain ginger
  • avoiding spicy, strong-smelling, or greasy foods

People who experience nausea because of stress or anxiety may also find breathing techniques, relaxation training, or mindfulness exercises helpful.

Learn 17 ways to improve nausea at home.

While home remedies can relieve the feeling of nausea, they are not a replacement for medical treatment for those with underlying conditions.

If a person frequently experiences nausea for no clear reason, they can consider speaking with a doctor to determine the cause. If the cause is psychological, speaking with a therapist may help.

Nausea is not usually an emergency. However, if it occurs alongside symptoms of a serious condition or after an injury, someone may need emergency help. Dial 911 if someone experiences nausea:

  • after a recent head injury
  • alongside a severe, sudden headache
  • with neck stiffness, fever, headache, and vomiting

In some cases, nausea can be an early warning sign of a heart attack. This is more common in females, who can experience less obvious symptoms during a heart attack. Seek emergency help if someone has:

  • pain, pressure, or squeezing in the center of the chest
  • trouble breathing
  • pain in one or both arms, the back, neck, or jaw
  • lightheadedness
  • a cold sweat

There are many potential causes of nausea. In most cases, it is not a sign of a serious illness. Many conditions that trigger nausea are treatable or temporary.

Speak with a doctor about chronic or recurring nausea, as there may be ways to reduce this symptom and improve quality of life.

Constant nausea: Causes and treatment

Nausea is a feeling of discomfort that makes a person feel as though they might vomit. Constant nausea is when this feeling lasts for long periods.

Nausea is a symptom of an underlying condition. It can also be a side effect of some medications. People with constant nausea should speak with their doctor to determine the cause.

In this article, we will look at some common causes, treatments, and home remedies for constant nausea.

Share on PinterestConstant nausea may be a side effect of certain medications.

People sometimes describe nausea as feeling queasy, feeling sick, or having an upset stomach. Some people with nausea may also vomit.

Nausea is not a disease, but a symptom of many different medical conditions. Sometimes people with nausea will experience other symptoms, such as:

  • increased production of saliva
  • dizziness
  • light-headedness
  • trouble swallowing
  • changes in skin temperature
  • rapid heartbeat

According to the American Family Physician (AFP), acute nausea lasts for 1 month or less. Chronic nausea lasts for more than 1 month.

When evaluating a person who is constantly nauseous, a doctor will ask them detailed questions to determine the cause. This will include questions about:

  • when the nausea began
  • when it comes and goes
  • the duration of each episode
  • whether they vomit, and if so, what the vomit looks like
  • other associated symptoms

Pregnancy

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), women often feel nauseous after around 9 weeks of pregnancy.

Although many people refer to nausea and vomiting in pregnancy as morning sickness, it can occur at any time of the day. Nausea and vomiting are not harmful to the baby, but it can affect a woman’s quality of life.

Mild nausea during pregnancy involves feeling temporarily nauseous and vomiting 1–2 times each day. Women who experience nausea for several hours and vomit more often have severe nausea.

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form of pregnancy-related nausea, which may mean a woman has to spend time in the hospital. According to ACOG, women with hyperemesis gravidarum can lose 5% of their prepregnancy body weight and may experience dehydration.

An article in the AFP recommends that when doctors treat people of childbearing age for nausea and vomiting, they must consider pregnancy as a possible cause.

Gastroparesis

During digestion, the stomach contracts and empties food into the small intestine. Gastroparesis occurs when the stomach does not empty properly. One article states that gastroparesis can cause the following symptoms:

  • feeling full quickly
  • abdominal pain
  • bloating
  • weight loss
  • vomiting a few hours after meals

Common causes of gastroparesis include diabetes, medications, and surgery. However, sometimes doctors cannot determine the exact cause.

Bowel obstruction

A bowel obstruction happens when the intestines become wholly or partially blocked. This prevents food from traveling through the digestive system. According to one report, blockage of the bowel can cause the following symptoms:

  • abdominal pain
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • constipation
  • bloating

Other conditions can also cause constant nausea. Digestive conditions that can cause frequent nausea include:

  • dyspepsia
  • gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • peptic ulcer
  • irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • food intolerance

However, according to the AFP, nausea is not the main or only symptom of these conditions.

A review in Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology notes that some psychological conditions can cause constant nausea, include:

  • anxiety disorders
  • eating disorders
  • depression

Some neurological factors can also cause constant nausea, such as:

  • frequent migraine headaches
  • increased intracranial pressure due to a mass, blood clot, or hemorrhage
  • demyelinating disorders
  • seizure disorders

A rare condition called cyclic vomiting syndrome can also cause frequent bouts of nausea, as it involves repeated cycles of nausea, vomiting, and tiredness.

Ear conditions such as Ménière’s disease or labyrinthitis can cause nausea, in addition to dizziness and vertigo.

The review also highlights drugs that can cause nausea as a side effect, including:

  • hormones (e.g., birth control pills)
  • antibiotics
  • antivirals
  • anticonvulsants
  • opioids
  • nicotine
  • gastrointestinal medications
  • cardiovascular medications
  • medications to treat Parkinson’s disease

Some people may want to stop taking their medications because they experience nausea. However, people should always speak with their doctor before stopping or changing any of the medications they take.

According to the American Cancer Society, cancers affecting the digestive system or areas in the brain that control digestion may cause constant nausea.

For example, people with cancer of the esophagus may experience symptoms such as:

  • pain or discomfort in the belly
  • nausea and vomiting
  • loss of appetite
  • fatigue or weakness
  • vomiting blood or passing blood in the stool
  • weight loss
  • feeling full quickly when eating

However, different types of cancer cause a variety of symptoms. Some cancers may not present any obvious early symptoms. The American Cancer Society state that whether someone with cancer develops frequent nausea will depend on a range of factors, such as:

  • the type of cancer they have
  • the type of treatment they receive
  • any other medications they take
  • slow digestion or constipation
  • inner ear problems
  • electrolyte levels
  • any infections they have
  • stress or anxiety

Cancer treatment can also cause nausea. A person can find out if the treatment they need is likely to cause nausea by looking at whether that treatment has high, moderate, low, or minimal risk.

People who need cancer treatments that cause nausea and vomiting should speak with their doctors about how to reduce the side effects.

Once a doctor determines the cause of constant nausea, they may recommend treatments for the underlying condition.

To control nausea, they may also prescribe antiemetic drugs, which stop people from vomiting. The following types of medications have an antiemetic effect:

Some of types of drugs, such as benzodiazepines, cause dependence. Researchers advise doctors not to prescribe benzodiazepines for more than 1–2 weeks at a time.

If a person frequently vomits because of chronic nausea, a doctor may also need to treat dehydration or an electrolyte imbalance.

Ginger

Researchers report that taking 250 milligrams (mg) of powdered ginger root before meals and at bedtime may help reduce nausea during pregnancy.

Women with pregnancy-related nausea may take up to 250 mg of ginger every 6 hours. It is possible to take up to 1000 mg of ginger per day without any side effects.

Ginger may also help people with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. However, researchers have had mixed results. Some studies show no difference between taking ginger and taking a placebo. Others found that ginger reduced the severity and frequency of vomiting.

Peppermint

One study published in the Journal of Holistic Nursing compared the effects of peppermint essential oil on postoperative nausea. The participants included 35 women who felt nauseous after they had given birth via cesarean delivery.

Although the study was small, the research showed that inhaling peppermint may help control postoperative nausea. Researchers need to confirm this result with more studies.

Vitamin B6

In early pregnancy, vitamin B-6 may help control nausea. A small study showed that taking 25 mg every 8 hours was more effective than a placebo.

According to the American Cancer Society, nausea can make it difficult for people to get the nutrition and hydration their body needs. Some people may feel unable to eat or to drink when they feel nauseous. This can cause dehydration, malnutrition, and other serious conditions.

People who have constant nausea should speak with a doctor if:

  • they cannot keep fluids down
  • they have been vomiting for 24 hours or longer

People should also see a doctor if they have:

  • fatigue
  • trouble concentrating
  • slow wound healing
  • weight loss
  • little or no appetite

People experience constant nausea for a variety of reasons. Some common causes of constant nausea include pregnancy, gastroparesis, and bowel obstructions.

Antinausea medications and home remedies may help control nausea. However, a person with constant nausea should seek medical help, as it is a sign of an underlying condition. Antiemetic drugs will only treat the symptom of constant nausea and not the root cause.

Diseases of the nervous system and psycho-emotional disorders

Mental diseases are caused by pathology of the brain and are manifested by a disorder of mental activity; Mental illnesses include both gross reflection disorders of the real world with behavioral disorders (psychoses) and milder changes in mental activity (neurosis, psychopathy, some types of affective pathology). Mental illnesses also include nosologically defined disorders of mental activity, etiologically associated with other diseases (for example, progressive paralysis).

All diseases of the nervous system can be divided into vascular, infectious, chronically progressive, hereditary and traumatic pathologies.

Vascular diseases are extremely common and dangerous. They often lead to disability or even death of the patient. This group includes acute cerebrovascular accidents (strokes) and chronically current cerebrovascular insufficiency, which causes changes in the brain. Such diseases can develop as a result of hypertension or atherosclerosis. Vascular diseases of the nervous system are manifested by headaches, nausea and vomiting, decreased sensitivity and impaired motor activity.

Infectious diseases of the nervous system develop as a result of the pathogenic effects of various viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. The brain is predominantly affected, while the peripheral nervous system and spinal cord are affected less frequently. Common diseases in this group are encephalitis, malaria, measles, and so on. Symptoms of neuroinfections are fever, impaired consciousness, severe headache, nausea and vomiting.

Chronically progressive diseases arise due to the specific structure of the nervous system and the pathogenic action of infections, intoxication or metabolic disorders. This group includes sclerosis, myasthenia gravis and other diseases. The course of the disease is usually long, and the lesion is systemic. Symptoms of the disease increase gradually, the viability of certain body systems decreases.

Hereditary diseases of the nervous system are divided into chromosomal (cellular) and genomic. The most common chromosomal disease of the nervous system is Down’s disease, and genomic pathologies most often affect the neuromuscular system. Characteristic signs of such disorders are dementia, infantilism, disorders of the endocrine system and the locomotor apparatus.

Traumatic injuries of the nervous system occur as a result of trauma, contusion or compression of the brain or spinal cord. They include concussion. Accompanying symptoms are headache, mental disorders, nausea and vomiting, memory loss, decreased sensitivity, etc.

Signs

Obvious signs of a mental disorder include:

  • the appearance of hallucinations (auditory or visual) expressed in conversations with oneself, in response to interrogative statements of a non-existent person;
  • causeless laughter;
  • difficulty concentrating when performing a given task or a thematic discussion;
  • changes in the behavioral response of the individual in relation to relatives, often there is a sharp hostility;
  • speech may contain phrases with delusional content (for example, “I myself am to blame for everything”), in addition, it becomes slow or fast, uneven, intermittent, confused and very difficult to understand.
  • overeating leading to obesity or refusal to eat;
  • alcohol abuse;
  • sexual dysfunction;
  • development of various fears and phobias, appearance of anxiety;
  • irritability;
  • disability;
  • insomnia;
  • headaches;
  • depression of the state;
  • fatigue.

Treatment

Nervous disorders do not arise out of nowhere – they are always the result of either long-term stress or some kind of disease. Obviously, for a complete cure, you need to fight the cause, that is, change your life (revise your work schedule, end unpromising relationships, learn how to communicate with people) or cure the underlying disease. However, this is a long process. That is why various remedies have been developed for the treatment of nervous disorders proper – all these methods make it possible to alleviate the condition, while the root of all evils is being fought. Manifestations of nervous disorders are varied, and treatment should be complex, only then it will give the desired and lasting effect.

Drug-free approach

  • Physical activity.
  • Relaxation techniques.
  • Psychotherapy, psychological help.
  • Reflexology.
  • Healthy lifestyle.

Drug treatment

  • Preparations with concomitant sedative action.
  • Medicines based on plant extracts.
  • Vitamins and minerals.
  • Homeopathic remedies and dietary supplements.
  • Prescription drugs.
  • OTC drugs with a complex therapeutic effect.

Doctor, tell me! | Witness

The children “grunt”, bruises “out of nowhere” appear on the body, and they feel very sick at the sight of the bride and groom. Doctors answer the questions of the Witness readers.

– My baby is 2.5 months old. From about three weeks old, he began to periodically grunt his nose. He eats, sleeps normally, but when he opens his eyes, he grunts, gurgles and . .. grunts. What could it be and what to do about it? – Marina SOLOVIEVA

“Witness” turned to pediatrician Oksana Svilina for advice:

– All people, both adults and newborns, constantly produce mucus in the nasopharynx. It performs a variety of protective functions. In adults, this process occurs imperceptibly, while in infants it has not yet been brought to automaticity. Therefore, babies, especially those under the age of three months, have several completely physiological reasons for “grunting”: narrow nasal passages, a predominantly horizontal position of the body, and an insufficiently mature swallowing reflex. In this case, no treatment is required, only hygienic care. Sniffing and “grunting” in children of the first months of life is almost always a physiological phenomenon that does not require intervention, if it does not interfere with feeding. With interventions in general, you need to be very careful, as they irritate the mucous membrane and can cause even more problems.

– A lump has been felt in the throat for a month now. The throat does not hurt, but it is very unpleasant, I constantly want to “push through” this lump, but it does not work. What diseases are so manifested? – Marina SIVTSEVA

A word – to the therapist Maria Bauer:

– Many people often experience such an unpleasant feeling. There are many reasons for the appearance of a lump in the throat. These can be both psychological experiences that are not associated with the presence of diseases, and some pathologies that are sometimes dangerous to health and life. To get started, make an appointment with a therapist, who will most likely send you for a consultation with a neurologist and an otolaryngologist. If they do not find the reasons for this condition, you need to see a psychotherapist.

– The baby is 10 months old and already has eight teeth. The small teeth are white, and the top center teeth are slightly uneven in color and texture. Do they need to be cleaned? – Svetlana SIZIKOVA

Responsible dentist Yakov Fineev:

– Children should be taught to brush their own teeth after two years. And babies, long before the teeth erupt, from about four months, need to buy soft brushes or special fingertips with villi and clean the gums first, then the first teeth that appear. In this way, you smoothly accustom children to the procedure for caring for their teeth. From personal observations, I can say that parents who from infancy monitor the oral hygiene of babies do not have any problems with the health of their children’s teeth in the future.

– Teeth suffered after an illness. Are there any camouflage things like false “vampire teeth” so that I can close the destroyed one until I save up money for treatment and prosthetics. – Vlad KOPEIKIN

And Yakov Fineev advises again:

– Under no circumstances should dental treatment be postponed! If the teeth are spoiled, and we cover them with something else from above, they will rot completely. But if a person nevertheless decided to hide them for now, a removable plastic prosthesis can be made. To do this, you should contact any orthopedic prosthetist in Berdsk. Such a prosthesis is inexpensive. And yet, I strongly recommend finding a clinic where you can repair and treat your teeth in installments (there are such in Berdsk), and not spend money on temporary dentures.

– We want to fly to warm countries for vacation. The child is nine months old, he is breastfed, we will take baby food with us. But will the flight and climate change negatively affect the health of the baby? – Natalia TOPOROVA

According to pediatrician Elena Kazakova, children under three years of age should not be taken on long journeys with flights and a sharp change in climate.

– Toddlers will not get any pleasure from the flight and from travel in general. Think thrice before traveling with a tiny child to distant lands with jet lag and a sudden change in climate – this alone can provoke painful reactions in him, which, away from home, can be extremely dangerous.

– Bruises began to appear on the body, mainly on the legs. Previously, this was not the case, but now I find two or three new bruises in a couple of days. With what it can be connected? – Vera FEDORENKO

Therapist Svetlana KLIMOVA answers :

– The main cause of bruising, bruising and bruising is external contact with the skin. Here, absolutely without outside help, you can put yourself an excellent bruise “thanks” to the furniture in your apartment, falling from a bicycle, and so on, – explains Svetlana Klimova, a therapist. – But if bruises appear, you don’t understand why, you should definitely consult a doctor.

The most harmless cause is a broken vessel. But one of the options for the appearance of small bruises on the body can be, for example, cirrhosis of the liver: it leads to a deficiency of blood clotting factors. Take a blood test for liver enzymes to identify the disease at the earliest stages of its development. You can make an appointment with a hepatologist and get the necessary consultation and appointment.

– It may sound funny, but I have a problem. At my wedding, I was very worried, almost the entire celebration I was very sick and vomited. Seven years have passed since then, and I still feel very sick … now at other people’s weddings: as soon as I enter the wedding hall and see the bride and groom, the gag reflex begins. What is this? – Tatyana TYUTYUNIK

Answers psychotherapist Konstantin Burkov:

– This is a kind of psychosomatic manifestation.

Our psyche is cunningly arranged. You had a lot of stress, the body remembers this, so you feel sick before certain events that remind you of the unrest experienced. You can get rid of your fear of worries and worries by undergoing treatment with a psychologist or psychotherapist.

– Constant dry mouth, not thirsty. What could it be? – Galina SCHMIDT

– Dry mouth (xerostomia) can be a symptom of many diseases or temporary bodily conditions, explains GP Maria Bauer .