Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Vomiting is a very common condition that most people experience at times. There are many causes of vomiting, from stomach pain and food poisoning to overeating, smells too strong, or from pregnancy. Despite the discomfort, it usually goes away within 24 hours without requiring any medical attention. If you, your child, or a loved one is vomiting, there are things you can do to ease the symptoms and make your body feel better. If the vomiting does not go away after 24 hours, you should call your doctor right away for further instructions.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Provide water and nutrients to the body

1. 

   Drink 8-10 glasses of water to prevent dehydration. Vomiting can dehydrate quickly, so you need to stay hydrated by drinking 8-10 glasses of water throughout the day. Keep in a normal routine and drink water every 15 minutes when vomiting a lot. However, drinking too quickly can cause more vomiting, so take it in small sips instead of gulping.
   • Cold water will help calm the stomach more than warm or hot water. You should let the water or fruit juice cool in the refrigerator before drinking.
   • If the white water makes you nauseous, try squeezing the lemon in the water for more flavor.
   • Sometimes sugary drinks like soda can be more comfortable on the stomach. You can try drinking some ginger-flavored soft drinks if you feel nauseous when drinking white water.

2. 

   
   
   Suck on an ice cube if you can't keep stomach fluids. Drinks can sometimes induce more vomiting. The ice will melt slowly in the mouth, helping to hydrate the body without further inducing nausea.
   • Do not chew ice to avoid tooth damage and swallow too much water at once.

3. 

   
   
   Drink sports drinks if you have been vomiting for a long time. If you have been vomiting for many hours, your body will often be deficient in electrolytes, potassium and other nutrients. You need to compensate for these substances by replacing the filtered water with sports water for a while. Sports drinks provide electrolytes, helping you avoid further dehydration.
   • Products like Pedialyte are also good at replenishing nutrients.
   • Follow the same rules as when drinking filtered water. Be sure to use cold water and drink it slowly to avoid filling your stomach.

4. 

   
   
   Eat bland foods to avoid vomiting further. You need to make up for many of the nutrients lost from vomiting, but be careful with what you eat to avoid nausea. Bland foods are best. Crackers, toast, potatoes and rice are suitable foods. Bananas and apple sauce are also good options because they usually don't upset the stomach. Try to eat as much as you can to replenish the lost nutrients.
   • Liquid foods like soups and broths are also good because they keep the body hydrated.
   • Avoid greasy and spicy foods, fast foods, fried foods, and sweets. Dairy products also cause more nausea.

5. 

   Eat small meals to avoid getting too full. Too much food in the stomach can induce more nausea and vomiting. You should eat small meals throughout the day instead of filling. Eat slowly, and don't try to overeat at once.
   • Try to divide into 5 small meals instead of 3 large ones.
   • Even if you don't want to eat, you should try to eat a little to prevent other problems caused by lack of nutrition.
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Method 2 of 4: Reduce nausea

1. 

   Sit still and don't move around too much to prevent vomiting. The nausea gets worse if you move around a lot. Sit or lie in a quiet place and stay still. The nausea should go away after you sit for a while.
   • Don't lie on your back if you have trouble getting up. Instead, lie down on your side in case you vomit.
   • You may experience more nausea while watching TV or looking at other screens. Try turning off the TV while resting.

2. 

   Sit still 2 hours after eating. Walking around after eating can make you nauseous and induce vomiting. Sit upright and stay still while your digestive system is working. After 2 hours, the food will move out of the stomach.
   • Do not lie down after eating for at least 2 hours. Lying down can make you more nauseous.

3. 

   Avoid strong scents. You will be very sensitive to odors while you are nauseous and may vomit more if there are strong scents around. Try to avoid foods and products with strong smells until the vomiting stops and the nausea stops.
   • If the smell is a trigger, ask someone else to cook it. This condition is very common in early pregnancy.
   • Do not eat foods with a characteristic odor such as fish.
   • Other strong odors, such as cigarette smoke and perfumes, may also induce vomiting in some people.

4. 

   Stop taking all medications until your nausea is over. The drug can irritate the stomach and cause vomiting. Furthermore, if you vomit after taking the medicine, your body cannot absorb it, and you will lose a dose. Wait for the nausea to stop before taking the medicine, whether it's a pill or a liquid.
   • If you must take your medication on time during the day, call your doctor and ask what you should do.

5. 

   Breathe in fresh air to reduce nausea. Stagnant and stuffy air can make nausea worse. Try sitting outside for a while, or get close to an open window indoors. If you still have enough energy, you can also go for a short walk.
   • If you go for a walk, go slowly and avoid swaying back and forth. This action can make symptoms worse. Also, do not go too far from home.

6. 

   Practice controlled breathing to relax. Sometimes nausea increases heart rate and breathing rate, which in turn can lead to more vomiting. Controlling your breath can reduce stress and ease nausea. Sit in a quiet place, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing. Take a long breath, hold it for a few seconds, and slowly exhale. This breathing will help reduce your anxiety and may help your vomiting attack.
   • Controlled breathing exercises, along with other relaxation techniques, like meditation can help calm you down.
   • Try to avoid activities that increase your breathing, such as exercise. Even if you feel better, you should still wait a day or so to practice again.
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Method 3 of 4: Use alternative therapies

1. 

   Add ginger to your food and drink. Ginger is very helpful in fighting nausea and vomiting. Fresh ginger works best, as many commercial products don't contain as much ginger. Try to find some fresh ginger, curl it and add it to drinks or seasoning to alleviate nausea.
   • Ginger-flavored soft drinks also help with nausea, but they don't contain much of the natural ginger.
   • You can make ginger tea yourself, but remember that hot drinks can make you more nauseous. You can add ice to the tea cold before drinking to soothe your stomach.
   • The maximum dosage of ginger supplements is 4 g (about ¾ teaspoon). If you are pregnant or nursing, the maximum dose is 1 g per day.
   • Ginger may interact with some prescription anticoagulants. If you are taking anticoagulants, consult your doctor before taking ginger.

2. 

   Try reflexology to reduce nausea. Acupressure is a technique that acts on certain points of the body by pressing lightly. The P6 point (internal point of view) on the inside of the wrist when stimulated can help curb nausea and vomiting. Raise your hand so palm is facing you and fingers are up. Place the 3 fingers of the other hand horizontally on the wrist. Use your thumb to feel your wrist at a point just below your index finger. Press on this point for 2-3 minutes and round. Repeat the reflexology with the other wrist.
   • You can also use a reflexology bracelet, also known as a motion sickness bracelet, such as a Sea-band® or ReliefBand®. These products are available at pharmacies or online.
   • An acupressure bracelet is especially useful during travel if you experience motion sickness.

3. 

   Use aromatherapy with mint scents to drown out other scents. This is an aromatherapy inhaler that is extracted from herbs, especially peppermint, that can help reduce nausea. Place 1-2 drops of peppermint oil on a clean gauze pad and inhale.It will help ease your symptoms and eliminate unpleasant odors that may make you more nauseous.
   • Clinical trials of aromatherapy have mixed results, but if you want to try it, it doesn't hurt.
   • Suck on mints is also an effective way. At the very least, it has a pleasant taste in your mouth and will help you think about vomiting.
   • This therapy is safe for pregnant women.
   • Do not rub essential oils on the skin. Essential oils applied directly to the skin can cause skin irritation or allergies.
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Method 4 of 4: Find medical treatments

1. 

   See your doctor if you haven't stopped vomiting after 12 hours. Most vomiting will subside within up to 1 day. Call your doctor if you have tried different treatments and still vomit for more than 12 hours, as this could be a sign of a more serious problem.
   • Children under 2 years of age need to see a doctor if they don't stop vomiting after 12 hours.

2. 

   Seek medical attention if signs of dehydration appear. Continued vomiting causes a loss of body fluids and leads to dehydration. Furthermore, during nausea and vomiting, it may be difficult to drink the required amount of fluids, and this can also lead to dehydration. If left untreated, dehydration can be very dangerous. Get medical attention right away if you begin to develop dehydration.
   • Symptoms of dehydration include: dry mouth, drowsiness, little or dark urine, headache, dry skin, and dizziness.
   • If you are unable to retain water while drinking, watch for symptoms of dehydration.

3. 

   Go to the emergency room if you have severe stomach pain or chest pain. If you experience sharp, throbbing pain in your stomach or chest while vomiting, it could be a sign of a serious medical problem. Go to the emergency room as soon as possible before the situation worsens.
   • A throbbing pain in the chest can signal an impending heart attack.

4. 

   Go to the emergency room if you have bloody vomiting. Persistent vomiting can cause perforation or tear in the stomach lining, causing blood to appear in the vomit. There are also other serious medical conditions that can cause you to vomit blood. If you notice red or dark blood or something like coffee grounds in the vomit, get medical help as soon as possible.
   • Stomach bleeding or perforation needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Do not hesitate to seek medical attention if you find blood in the vomitus.

5. 

   Call your doctor if you experience vomiting after a head injury. Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of a concussion. If you experience headaches and feel nauseous, call your doctor to find out what to do.
   • Don't go to bed even when you feel sleepy.
   • Other signs of concussion include: headache, confusion, dizziness, slurred speech, tinnitus.
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Advice

• Do not drink a lot of water when the stomach cannot handle it. Too much water can make vomiting worse and increase the risk of dehydration. Take small sips and gradually increase the amount of water every 20 minutes.
• Eat small meals throughout the day. A few crackers or slices of toast can also help soothe your stomach.

Warning

• If you have been vomiting for more than 12 hours, see your doctor or hospital.