Nausea and vomiting are caused by many things, such as illness, pregnancy, motion sickness or food poisoning. In most cases, recovering from an annoying vomiting attack is just a matter of self-care. However, it is important to be aware if the crisis lasts more than 24 hours, as it could be a sign of a health problem. If you experience nausea and vomiting for more than a day or two, get medical help as soon as possible. If the problem is milder, eating and drinking the right things and allowing your body to rest are ideal solutions!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Relieving Nausea After Vowing
Step 1. Rest in an upright position with your head elevated
Do not try to move too much after vomiting as this will only make nausea worse. Support your body and rest sitting with your head elevated about 30 cm above your feet to recover better.
- Do not lie down in a flat position to rest as this may cause you to start vomiting again.
- Stay in this position for at least an hour or until you no longer feel nauseous.
Step 2. Place a cold compress on the back of your neck
Put a cloth under running water until it gets wet. Twist a little in the sink and fold it in half. Now place the cloth over the back of your neck and leave it on for five to 10 minutes. This can relieve the urge to vomit a little, as well as regulate your body temperature, which may increase after vomiting.
Step 3. Avoid strong or unpleasant odors until you no longer feel nauseated
Odors such as cigarette smoke, strong perfumes or spices can make you vomit if you are already nauseated. Avoid exposing yourself to these types of odors as much as possible until you can go at least 24 hours without vomiting.
Hot foods also tend to have stronger aromas than cold ones, so avoiding this type of food is a good way to prevent vomiting
Step 4. Avoid taking oral medications that can irritate your stomach
Such remedies include aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen, and some blood pressure remedies. Consult a doctor before stopping any medications you are taking for a different condition before you start vomiting.
Some antibiotics are known to cause nausea. However, never stop taking this type of medication without consulting a doctor
Step 5. Try to get outside to get some fresh air if you still feel nauseous
Getting some fresh air outside by taking a brisk walk can be very beneficial in controlling nausea and vomiting. Just be careful not to exert too much physical effort if you don't feel capable.
If getting out is a lot, sit by an open window to get some fresh air outside
Step 6. Use aromatherapy to relieve nausea
Aromatherapy is when you inhale the aroma of essential oils, such as adding a few drops of an oil to a diffuser or when you light a fragrant candle. Some essential oils that can relieve nausea include:
- Ginger;
- Pepper mint;
- Lavender;
- Fennel seed;
- Lemon.
Step 7. Do deep breathing exercises to reduce nausea
Studies have shown that deep breathing can activate the parasympathetic nervous system and reduce feelings of nausea or stomach pain. In a comfortable sitting position, close your eyes and inhale deeply through your nose for five seconds. Then slowly release air through your nose for seven seconds. Repeat this process until the nausea starts to pass.
Try to fill your lungs completely when inhaling for best results
Method 2 of 3: Eating and Drinking Again
Step 1. Try not to eat or drink anything for 15 minutes to let your stomach get some rest
Your stomach muscles will be quite sore after you vomit, especially if you've been vomiting a lot. Letting your stomach rest reduces the risk of vomiting again if you eat again.
It is acceptable to rinse your mouth a little to get rid of the taste of vomit. But try to avoid swallowing water for the first 15 minutes
Step 2. Drink small sips of water or suck on ice cubes so you don't get dehydrated
After 15 minutes have passed and you haven't vomited, start taking sips of water every five to 10 minutes to slowly get the fluid into your system. Vomiting causes a good deal of water loss, so it's important to rehydrate as soon as you can.
- If you start vomiting again after drinking water, stop drinking and wait another 15 to 20 minutes to try again.
- You can also drink light teas, sports drinks or still drinks at this time, as long as they don't upset your stomach.
Step 3. Chew a piece of ginger or have a cup of ginger tea
The root has anti-emetic properties, meaning it also helps to prevent nausea and vomiting. If you have fresh ginger at home, cut a small piece and chew it or use it to make a cup of tea. Remove the husk with a knife and place the whole piece in your mouth if you want to chew it, or place it into the cup, pouring boiling water over the root. Soak in hot water for ten minutes and drink the tea slowly.
Step 4. Try eating light, soft, starchy foods eight hours after you stop vomiting
Wait until you can keep fluid in your body without vomiting for eight hours before trying to eat something. The first things you should try to eat should be light, starchy foods that are easy to digest, such as bananas, rice, applesauce and toast, known as the BRAT diet.
- The BRAT diet (banana, rice, applesauce and toast) is recommended for people with an upset stomach or stomach problems.
- Tea and yogurt are also easy to digest after vomiting.
Step 5. Eat light meals every two to three hours to slowly return to your normal eating
So you put less strain on your stomach than if you eat a large meal every six or eight hours. Also, limit your meals to foods served cold or at room temperature for the first 24 hours after vomiting to reduce the risk of causing stomach upset again.
- Some examples of foods you should try to eat at this time include mashed potatoes (not too hot), rice, creamy soups made with low-fat milk, cookies, or low-fat pudding.
- Do not eat anything fried, greasy, acidic or sweet at this stage, as this type of food can irritate your stomach. Wait until you've been without vomiting for 24 to 48 hours before you can try a fried chicken or a creamy doughnut.
Step 6. Avoid caffeine, tobacco and alcohol until you feel better
Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages and tobacco products can irritate your stomach and possibly make you start vomiting again. As a precaution, it is best to avoid consuming these products for at least 24 to 48 hours after you stop vomiting.
If you have lactose intolerance or any sensitivity to dairy products, it is also important to avoid any of these products until you have passed 24 hours without vomiting
Method 3 of 3: Physically Recovering from Nausea
Step 1. Avoid exerting yourself too much physically for at least a day or two
Your body will need to rest not only to recover from the vomiting attack, but also from what caused it. Moving too much when you are nauseated can also make you start vomiting again. Get plenty of rest until the nausea passes completely.
If you have friends or family who can care for you during your recovery, ask if they can stay with you until the nausea passes
Step 2. Use medications to control frequent nausea and vomiting
If you've done everything you can to take care of yourself and try to control the nausea, but you still have frequent vomiting attacks, you may need to use medication to control it. See a doctor to find out what the recommendations are.
- Examples of commonly prescribed antiemetic medications include Phenergan and Zofran.
- Some over-the-counter medications are used to treat stomach pain, such as Pepto-Bismol, but they are unlikely to prevent vomiting if you have a virus.
Step 3. Go to the doctor if you don't stop vomiting or if your condition gets worse
Although vomiting and nausea usually subside after 24 hours of home care, it can sometimes be a sign of more serious problems. Get medical help if vomiting lasts more than 24 hours, if there is blood in the vomit or if you start to experience abdominal pain.
Contact a physician if you experience nausea without vomiting and persist for more than 48 hours
Tips
If the taste of vomit lingers in your mouth, try sucking on a candy for a while. This may not cure the pain in your stomach, but at least it will take the bad taste out of your mouth after you vomit
Notices
- See your doctor right away if there is blood in your vomit or if you experience severe headaches or abdominal pain, lethargy, confusion, fever above 38°C or wheezing, all signs of a more serious health problem.
- If vomiting lasts more than a few hours in a child under the age of six or more than a day in a child over six, take the child to the doctor.
