What Causes Dry Heaving and When to See a Doctor

Dry heaving also known as retching feels like vomiting without anything coming up. Your stomach contracts, your throat tightens, and nausea often follows. While usually harmless and short-lived, dry heaving can sometimes signal an underlying health issue that needs attention.

Here’s what can cause dry heaves, how to find relief, and when it’s time to call your doctor.

Common Causes of Dry Heaving

In most cases, dry heaving goes away on its own. But the triggers can vary widely, and sometimes, they hint at deeper health concerns.

1. After Vomiting or Nausea Many people experience dry heaving after they’ve already vomited. It’s a reflexive response as the body tries to expel any remaining contents, even if the stomach is empty.

2. Everyday Triggers Dry heaves can be brought on by common, non-threatening causes, such as:

• Bad smells

• Gagging or choking

• Anxiety or stress

• Overeating

• Dehydration

• Motion sickness

3. Gastrointestinal Issues Several digestive disorders are linked to dry heaving:

• Acid reflux and GERD: Acid backing up into the throat can trigger nausea and retching.

• Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining often leads to nausea, vomiting, and bloating.

• Food poisoning or food allergies: These can cause rapid-onset nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.

• Crohn’s disease: This inflammatory condition may cause vomiting, fatigue, and retching during flare-ups.

• Pancreatic or liver disorders: These often come with abdominal pain, nausea, and gastrointestinal discomfort that can lead to dry heaving.

4. Alcohol Consumption Heavy drinking is a well-known cause of retching, particularly during a hangover. Alcohol irritates the stomach and affects balance and hydration, all of which can lead to vomiting or dry heaves.

5. Severe Pain or Shock In some cases, extreme pain or emotional shock can activate the same brain areas that trigger nausea. This mind-body connection may result in dry heaving.

6. Medication Side Effects A wide range of medications can cause nausea and dry heaves, including:

• Antibiotics and antivirals

• NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen)

• Chemotherapy and radiation treatments

• Semaglutide (Ozempic), which may cause gastroparesis

• Some blood pressure or dopamine-regulating medications

7. Infections Stomach viruses like gastroenteritis often involve vomiting and retching. Ear infections—especially in children—can also cause nausea and dry heaves due to inner ear imbalance.

8. Migraines Migraines can include severe nausea and dry heaving, especially when triggered by odors, flashing lights, or low blood sugar.

9. Intense Exercise Long workouts or high-endurance races can lead to gastrointestinal upset, especially if you're dehydrated or didn’t warm up properly. One study found that 60% of ultramarathon runners reported nausea mid-race.

10. Low Blood Sugar Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can result in nausea, fatigue, shakiness, and dry heaving. It’s especially common in people with diabetes or those who’ve skipped meals.

11. Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS) This rare condition causes repeated cycles of nausea, vomiting, and dry heaves—often triggered by stress or certain foods. Episodes may last for hours or even days.

12. Pregnancy Morning sickness and hormonal changes during pregnancy often cause dry heaving, especially in the first trimester. For most, symptoms ease by the second trimester, though some experience it throughout pregnancy.

How Long Does Dry Heaving Last? Typically, dry heaving lasts only a few minutes to several hours. However, chronic or recurring episodes may indicate an underlying issue that requires medical evaluation.

Home Remedies That Help

If your symptoms are mild and short-lived, try these self-care options:

• Get fresh air or sit in front of a fan

• Drink cold fluids slowly or suck on ice chips

• Eat bland foods like toast or crackers

• Try the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast)

• Use ginger or peppermint (in teas, candies, or supplements)

• Take vitamin B6, especially during pregnancy (check with your doctor first)

Over-the-Counter Medications For motion sickness or mild nausea, antihistamines like Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) or Bonine (meclizine) can help. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is also effective but may cause drowsiness. Always consult your healthcare provider about drug interactions or side effects.

When to See a Doctor

Dry heaving is usually nothing to worry about. However, if it becomes frequent or persists longer than a day, it's worth reaching out to a healthcare provider. You should also seek medical care if you have a known medical condition (like diabetes, IBD, or GERD) that’s worsening.

When to Get Emergency Help Call your doctor or visit urgent care if you’re experiencing:

• Vomiting for 24+ hours

• Inability to keep fluids down

• No urination for 8+ hours

• Severe abdominal pain

• Headache with neck stiffness

• Vomiting 3+ times per day

Watch for signs of dehydration, which can become serious:

• Dark urine or no urine

• Dry mouth and skin

• Sunken eyes

• Lack of energy or confusion

How to Prevent Dry Heaving

The best way to prevent dry heaves is to know your triggers and avoid them. Tips that help include:

• Eat smaller, more frequent meals

• Stay hydrated throughout the day

• Avoid greasy, spicy, or heavy foods

• Limit alcohol

• Don’t lie down immediately after eating

• Eat something light in the morning, especially if you experience nausea upon waking

• Take time to warm up before intense exercise

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