How to Treat Vomiting at Home

Vomiting is a common condition that nearly everyone experiences at some point. There are various causes, ranging from stomach issues and food poisoning to overeating, exposure to strong smells, or pregnancy. While unpleasant, vomiting typically resolves within 24 hours without the need for medical attention. If you, your child, or someone close to you is vomiting, there are several steps you can take to ease the symptoms and improve comfort. If vomiting persists beyond 24 hours, you should contact a doctor for further guidance.

Drink 8-10 glasses of water to prevent dehydration. Vomiting can lead to rapid dehydration, so it’s important to replenish fluids by drinking 8-10 glasses of water throughout the day. Stick to your usual routine, drinking a small amount of water every 15 minutes if vomiting is frequent. However, avoid drinking too quickly, as it may lead to more vomiting; sip small amounts instead of gulping large amounts.

• Cold water can soothe your stomach better than warm or hot water. You might want to chill water or fruit juice before drinking it.
• If plain water makes you feel queasy, try adding lemon to it for extra flavor.
• Sometimes sugary drinks, like soda, can be gentler on the stomach. If plain water is hard to keep down, try sipping a little ginger-flavored soda to relieve nausea.

Suck on an ice cube if you can't keep fluids down. Sometimes liquids may trigger more vomiting. Sucking on an ice cube allows it to melt slowly in your mouth, providing hydration without further inducing nausea.

• Do not chew the ice to avoid damaging your teeth and ingesting too much water at once.

Drink sports drinks if you've been vomiting for an extended period. After several hours of vomiting, your body may become deficient in electrolytes, potassium, and other essential nutrients. You can replenish these by replacing plain water with sports drinks for a while. These drinks contain electrolytes that help prevent further dehydration.

• Products like Pedialyte are also excellent for replenishing nutrients.
• Follow the same guidelines as drinking water—use cold drinks and sip slowly to avoid overfilling the stomach.

Eat bland foods to prevent further vomiting. After vomiting, it’s important to restore lost nutrients, but be cautious about the foods you consume to avoid triggering more nausea. Bland foods are the best option. Crackers, toast, potatoes, and rice are all suitable choices. Bananas and applesauce are also gentle on the stomach. Try to eat when you can to replace lost nutrients.

• Clear soups and broths are also good options as they hydrate your body.
• Avoid fatty, spicy, fried foods, and sweets. Dairy products can also increase nausea.

Eat small meals to avoid overeating. Having too much food in the stomach can worsen nausea and lead to more vomiting. Try eating smaller meals throughout the day instead of large ones. Eat slowly and avoid overloading your stomach.

• Consider dividing your intake into five smaller meals rather than three large ones.
• Even if you're not hungry, try to eat a little to avoid further issues from nutrient deficiencies.

Stay still and avoid moving around to prevent vomiting. Nausea can become worse with movement. Sit or lie down in a quiet place and remain still. The nausea may subside after resting for a while.

• Do not lie flat if sitting up is difficult. Instead, lie on your side to avoid the possibility of vomiting.
• Watching TV or looking at screens may worsen nausea. Try turning off the TV while resting.

Remain seated for 2 hours after eating. Moving around after eating can trigger nausea and lead to vomiting. Sit upright and stay in one place while your digestive system processes the food. After 2 hours, the food will have moved out of your stomach.

• Avoid lying down after eating for at least 2 hours. Lying down may exacerbate nausea.

Avoid strong odors. Nausea can make you more sensitive to smells, and strong scents may increase the likelihood of vomiting. Try to stay away from foods and products with strong smells until the nausea passes.

• If food odors trigger your nausea, ask someone else to cook for you. This is especially common in early pregnancy.
• Refrain from eating foods with strong smells, such as fish.
• Other strong smells like cigarette smoke and perfumes can also trigger nausea in some people.

Stop taking any medications until the nausea subsides. Medications can irritate the stomach and cause vomiting. Additionally, if you vomit immediately after taking medicine, your body won’t be able to absorb it, and you’ll miss a dose. Wait until the nausea has passed before taking any medication, whether it's a pill or liquid form.

• If you need to take your medication at a specific time, contact your doctor for advice on how to proceed.

Breathe in fresh air to alleviate nausea. Stale, stuffy air can worsen nausea. Try sitting outside for a while or moving closer to an open window if you’re indoors. If you're feeling strong enough, take a short walk.

• If you go for a walk, move slowly and avoid quick, jerky movements, as this could worsen your symptoms. Also, don’t wander too far from home.

Practice controlled breathing to relax. Sometimes nausea increases your heart rate and breathing, which can worsen vomiting. Controlled breathing techniques can reduce stress and ease nausea. Find a quiet place, close your eyes, and focus on your breath. Take a deep breath in, hold it for a few seconds, and slowly exhale. This breathing method can help calm anxiety and might suppress the urge to vomit.

• Breathing exercises combined with other relaxation techniques, such as meditation, can help you stay calm.
• Avoid activities that increase your breathing rate, such as exercising. Even if you start to feel better, it’s best to wait a day before resuming exercise.

Incorporate ginger into your food and drinks. Ginger is very effective in relieving nausea and vomiting. Fresh ginger works best, as many commercial products don’t contain much ginger. Try grating a small piece of fresh ginger and adding it to a drink or food to ease nausea.

• Ginger-flavored soft drinks can also help with nausea, although they don’t contain much natural ginger.
• You can make ginger tea, but be cautious, as hot drinks might worsen nausea. Adding ice to the tea can help soothe your stomach.
• The maximum recommended dose for ginger supplements is 4g (about ¾ teaspoon). If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the maximum dose is 1g per day.
• Ginger may interact with some prescription blood thinners, so consult your doctor before using ginger if you're on such medications.

Try acupressure to relieve nausea. Acupressure is a technique that involves gently pressing on specific pressure points on your body. The P6 acupoint (Neiguan) located on the inner wrist, when stimulated, can help control nausea and vomiting. Raise your hand with the palm facing up and fingers pointing toward the ceiling. Place three fingers of your other hand horizontally on your wrist. Use your thumb to press on the point just beneath your index finger. Apply pressure for 2-3 minutes while gently massaging the area. Repeat this acupressure on the other wrist.

• You can also use acupressure wristbands, such as Sea-band® or ReliefBand®, which are available at pharmacies or online.
• These wristbands are particularly helpful during trips if you suffer from motion sickness.

Use peppermint aromatherapy to mask other odors. Aromatherapy with herbal scents, particularly peppermint, can help reduce nausea. Place 1-2 drops of peppermint essential oil on a clean cloth and inhale. This can help soothe your symptoms and mask unpleasant odors that may make you feel more nauseous.

• Clinical trials on aromatherapy have had mixed results, but there’s no harm in trying it.
• Sucking on peppermint candies is another effective method. At the very least, it provides a pleasant taste in your mouth and distracts from the nausea.
• This method is safe for pregnant women.
• Do not apply essential oils directly to the skin. Applying oils to the skin can cause irritation or allergic reactions.

See a doctor if vomiting persists for more than 12 hours. Most cases of vomiting resolve within 24 hours. If you have tried several remedies and are still vomiting after 12 hours, it could be a sign of a more serious issue. Contact your doctor.

• Children under 2 years old should be taken to the doctor if vomiting lasts more than 12 hours.

Seek medical attention if you show signs of dehydration. Continuous vomiting can deplete your body of fluids, leading to dehydration. Furthermore, nausea and vomiting may make it difficult to drink enough fluids, worsening dehydration. Untreated dehydration can be dangerous. Seek medical attention immediately if you begin to show signs of dehydration.

• Symptoms of dehydration include: dry mouth, fatigue, dark or infrequent urination, headache, dry skin, and dizziness.
• If you cannot keep fluids down, monitor for dehydration symptoms.

Go to the emergency room if you experience severe stomach or chest pain. Sharp, severe pain in the stomach or chest while vomiting may indicate a serious medical condition. Seek emergency care immediately before the situation worsens.

• Sharp chest pain could be a sign of an impending heart attack.

Seek emergency care if you vomit blood. Persistent vomiting can tear the lining of the stomach, causing blood to appear in the vomit. Other serious conditions may also cause you to vomit blood. If you notice red or dark blood, or something resembling coffee grounds in your vomit, get to the emergency room immediately.

• Gastrointestinal bleeding or a stomach rupture must be treated as soon as possible. Don’t delay seeking medical help if you see blood in your vomit.

Contact a doctor if you experience vomiting after a head injury. Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of a concussion. If you’ve suffered a blow to the head and feel nauseous, contact a doctor for guidance on the next steps.

• Avoid sleeping, even if you feel tired.
• Other signs of a concussion include: headaches, confusion, dizziness, slurred speech, and ringing in the ears.

• Do not drink too much water if your stomach is not able to handle it. Excessive amounts of water may worsen vomiting and increase the risk of dehydration. Sip small amounts and gradually increase the intake every 20 minutes.
• Eat smaller meals throughout the day. A few crackers or slices of toast can help soothe your stomach.

• If vomiting lasts more than 12 hours, seek medical attention or go to the hospital.