How to Stop Nausea

Vomiting is a natural and essential reaction for the body to recover, such as when eliminating toxins during food poisoning. Unfortunately, vomiting can also occur with migraines, viral infections, pregnancy, motion sickness, or medication use. It can be uncomfortable and lead to dehydration, so it's important to take steps to alleviate it. Fortunately, sometimes you can stop the feeling of nausea. However, if symptoms persist, you should consult a medical professional.

Apply a cool, damp cloth to your forehead or the back of your neck. Never use an ice pack. Especially if you're experiencing a throbbing headache that matches your pulse and feel sudden nausea, this method can help prevent vomiting.

Go outside and breathe fresh air. Take a walk around the yard or on the sidewalk, but don't venture too far. Breathe a little deeper than usual, but not too much. Fresh air can help calm your lungs and body.

Elevate your feet above your body. Place a few pillows under your feet to raise them.

Stimulate your sense of touch. This can be effective because it distracts the body from the feeling of nausea, or from something completely different. Touching things around you can actually help. You can slightly hurt yourself by doing things like:

• Pinch your arm
• Clench your fist and punch your thigh
• Pull a small handful of hair
• Bite your lower lip
• Dig your nails into your arm

Apply acupressure. Acupressure is a method of using your hands to press on specific points on your body to relieve pain. Acupressure specialists often press on the wrist to relieve nausea and vomiting.

• Turn your palm towards your face. Place the thumb of the other hand in the middle of your wrist and gently press to start a light massage. Nausea may subside as you gradually press on this point.
• Place the inner sides of both wrists together and press firmly. This action also stimulates the same pressure point as the one described above.

Try eating bland foods like crackers. A few dry crackers may help reduce nausea. This is because starchy foods like crackers or toast can absorb stomach acid. If you feel better after eating crackers, it might just mean you're hungry and not actually sick.

Start with simple foods and gradually add others. When you begin eating again, start with simple carbohydrates like gelatin, and gradually introduce proteins like chicken pho. Fatty foods should be added last as they are the hardest to digest and could upset a still sensitive stomach.

Chew gum or suck on peppermint candies to stimulate your digestive system. The refreshing taste of mint is perfect for freshening your breath and may help reduce nausea. Ginger lozenges are also a good option for combating the feeling of nausea.

Chew a piece of ginger or sip ginger tea. Ginger helps to calm nausea and reduce vomiting in certain cases. You can try nibbling on a piece of fresh ginger, chewing ginger-flavored gum, or drinking ginger tea. Choose whichever works best for you.

Avoid acidic, spicy, fatty, or high-fiber foods. These foods can force your stomach to work harder, increasing the risk of vomiting. Acidic, spicy, and fatty foods are easy to identify, while high-fiber foods include various vegetables, meats, and whole grains.

• If vomiting is accompanied by diarrhea, also avoid dairy products. Like the foods mentioned, dairy can be difficult for the stomach to process.
• Avoid eating foods that are too hot or too cold. The stomach will have to work harder to cool down hot foods and warm up cold foods before digestion begins.

Drink water right from the start. If you have just vomited a lot, drink small sips of cool water. A large amount of water processed too quickly may cause you to vomit again.

• If you prefer, try sucking on an ice cube. The cool sensation as the water goes down your throat can be soothing, and it will prevent you from drinking too much by melting the ice in your mouth.

Choose clear liquids, especially those with electrolytes if available. In addition to water, clear liquids help replenish essential vitamins that may have been lost after vomiting.

• If possible, choose beverages high in potassium and sodium. These are two of the most important electrolytes in the body, and they are commonly lost when you vomit.
• Clear liquids you can drink include:
  • Weak tea
  • Broth
  • Apple juice
  • Unsweetened sports drinks

Soothe your stomach with syrup and supplements. Coke syrup (found in vending machines) can help calm the stomach, similar to over-the-counter syrups like Emetrol. The dosage for children is 1-2 teaspoons, and for adults, it's 1-2 tablespoons.

• While there is limited scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of Coke syrup, it has been used for generations to relieve stomach discomfort. In fact, Coke syrup was originally used as a stomach tonic.
• Syrups like Emetrol are generally safe for children. Though these products are often marketed for pregnant women, manufacturers recommend consulting with a doctor before use.

Avoid drinks with caffeine, carbonation, or high acidity. These drinks may include coffee, sodas, and some fruit juices such as orange, grapefruit, or lemon juice.

Try drinking some ginger tea to calm your nausea. Recently, ginger has gained popularity as a remedy for nausea, and a notable study shows that ginger may even be more effective than Dramamine. You can purchase ginger tea bags or make your own ginger tea with honey, also known as Tisane infusion.

• If you don't want to drink warm tea but still wish to benefit from ginger's soothing properties, try ginger ale. Open the can and wait for the carbonation to dissipate before drinking; remember, the carbonation can irritate an already sensitive stomach and lead to vomiting.
• Another option if your stomach can't handle liquids is to try ginger candy. Every 45 minutes, have a small piece of ginger candy.

Consider taking Dramamine if you're feeling nauseous due to motion sickness. Dramamine, also known as "dimenhydrinate," is effective for treating nausea, stomach discomfort, and vomiting. This medication is not recommended for children under 2 years old. If you know of an activity that may make you nauseous or cause vomiting, take Dramamine 30 to 60 minutes before starting that activity.

If you're experiencing pain along with nausea or illness, take acetaminophen. Unlike NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like aspirin or ibuprofen, acetaminophen helps relieve pain without worsening nausea.

Consult a doctor for a scopolamine patch prescription. The scopolamine patch is applied directly to the skin behind the ear and is effective at preventing nausea and vomiting. However, keep in mind that scopolamine patches have several side effects that could cause more trouble than the nausea itself.

If vomiting persists for 2 days in adults or 1 day in children, seek medical attention. You may be severely dehydrated and require intravenous fluids.

• Relax, breathe deeply and slowly. Sometimes, anxiety or fear of vomiting can make nausea feel even worse.
• Avoid drinking water while lying down – this position can cause fluids to come back up.
• Typically, when you're about to vomit, excessive saliva will accumulate in your mouth, which is a sign to quickly find a place to vomit.
• Relax and sit on a couch or lie down on a warm bed, wrapping yourself in a blanket.
• If you have stomach flu, try to use a private restroom, as others may become infected if you share a restroom.
• Always keep a plastic bag or trash bag nearby, and if you feel the urge to vomit, stand up and take deep breaths.
• If your nausea and vomiting are caused by a migraine, avoid bright lights, loud noises, or strong scents.
• Take medicine before nausea becomes unbearable so that it has time to work before you vomit.
• Recognize the triggers for your nausea if it has happened before. You might be able to treat or avoid the issue.
• Vomiting can lead to significant fluid loss, which in turn can make you more nauseous. Remember to sip water slowly. Large amounts of water can upset your stomach and trigger vomiting.
• Distract yourself from the nausea by listening to soothing music or watching a light TV program.
• When you feel nauseous, try not to focus on the idea of vomiting. Think about something happy. This may help reduce nausea in some cases.

• If you eat too quickly, your stomach may not have enough time to hold the food and it could come back up.
• If you can't stop vomiting and it happens frequently, see a doctor immediately.
• Diabetics should consult a doctor before using any syrup-based medications.
• Although vomiting caused by toxins or food poisoning typically doesn't require medication, you can try over-the-counter remedies like Emetrol to alleviate nausea, or consult your doctor about other medications.
• Vomiting is not a healthy way to lose weight. Bulimia is an eating disorder and very unhealthy. Seek advice from a medical professional.

• A positive attitude
• Mint candies, dry crackers, or toasted bread
• Ginger ale or other clear liquids
• Tea, fruit juices, or sports drinks
• A container for vomiting
• Wet towels or wet wipes
• Entertainment options like TV, books, or games