When you feel like vomiting, sit upright, sip clear fluids, try ginger or crackers, and get fresh air. See a doctor if it lasts or you can’t keep fluids down.
What helps
- Sit upright and avoid lying flat.
- Sip clear fluids slowly.
- Try ginger or crackers.
- Get fresh air.
- Avoid strong smells.
Medicines
Over-the-counter bismuth subsalicylate or dimenhydrinate for motion sickness.
Common causes
Stomach bugs, motion sickness, food poisoning, migraine and pregnancy.
See a doctor
If it lasts over 2 days or you can’t keep fluids down.
Emergency
Severe pain, blood or stiff neck.
Immediate steps
Sit upright, breathe slowly, sip clear fluids in small amounts, and get fresh air. Avoid strong smells, greasy food and lying flat right after eating. Ginger (about 1 g daily) and peppermint can ease nausea for some people. Wait about 30 to 60 minutes after vomiting before small sips, then bland foods like crackers, rice, banana and toast.
- Acupressure at the P6 point on the inner wrist has been studied for nausea.
- Over-the-counter options include bismuth subsalicylate, dimenhydrinate for motion sickness and antacids for reflux. Follow label directions.
- Dehydration signs include dark urine, dry mouth and dizziness.
Causes and warning signs
Causes include infections, food poisoning, motion sickness, migraine, pregnancy, medication side effects and anxiety. Seek urgent care for vomiting lasting over 24 hours, blood in vomit, severe abdominal pain, chest pain, high fever, stiff neck, confusion or inability to keep fluids down for 12 hours in adults. Children and older adults dehydrate faster.
Immediate steps
Sit upright, breathe slowly, sip clear fluids or ice chips, get fresh air and avoid strong smells. Ginger, peppermint and acupressure at the P6 point on the inner wrist have some evidence for nausea relief. Avoid lying flat after eating.
Causes and warning signs
Common causes are stomach viruses, food poisoning, motion sickness, migraines, pregnancy and medications. Seek care for vomiting blood, severe abdominal pain, signs of dehydration, confusion, stiff neck or chest pain. Vomiting that lasts more than a day needs medical review.
Mechanics of nausea
The vomiting center in the brainstem receives signals from the stomach, inner ear and chemoreceptor trigger zone. Serotonin 5-HT3 and dopamine receptors mediate nausea. Ondansetron blocks 5-HT3 and is used in chemotherapy and gastroenteritis. Motion sickness responds to scopolamine and dimenhydrinate.
Self care guide
Sip small amounts of fluids frequently, such as oral rehydration solution. Try ginger 1 g, peppermint or bland foods like crackers. Avoid lying down within 2 hours after eating. Call a doctor for signs of dehydration such as dark urine, dizziness or no urination over 8 hours. Emergency signs include head injury, blood in vomit, severe belly pain or stiff neck.
Based on data from the Mayo Clinic and the NHS
