Strategies for Halting Nausea Vomiting: Homely Solutions
Dishing out a smorgasbord of home remedies to knock out that queasy feeling and keep dehydration at bay, let's delve into some time-tested strategies to solve that yucky nausea after throwing up. From sipping small, regular servings of liquid to noshing on bland eats, we've got all the tips and tricks to help you feel a bit zestier.
Whether it's due to food poisoning, viral or bacterial infections, pregnancy, motion sickness, or medication side-effects, nausea is a common ailment that no one enjoys. But with a few clever moves, you can find relief and prevent nasty complications such as dehydration.
Home Remedies and Smart Strategies
Most instances of nausea and vomiting will eventually come to a halt with proper medical intervention. In the meantime, here are some practices that could help you wrangle that nausea and stomach discomfort:
- find a quiet spot and catch some Z's
- enjoy some fresh air or crack open a window
- search for a distracting activity, such as listening to tunes
- eat or sip a light, ickle meal post-vomiting
- don your comfy, loose clothes
- pop some over-the-counter meds for relief, such as bismuth subsalicylate (or ask your doctor for advice)
- pregnant folks should always ask their doc before taking antiemetic medications
Once you've finished puking, it's time to start sipping on some clear liquids. Here are some ideas:
- chew and chill on some ice chips or frosty juice cubes
- guzzle lots of hydration with water, diluted squash, broth, ginger ale, ginger tea, or sports drinks
- sip chilly beverages
- nosh on cold foods like popsicles or savor cold drinks
- try plain grub like toast, rice, or simple pasta
- enjoy smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day
- crave sour treats such as sour candies, pickles, lemons, or limes
- steer clear of greasy, spicy, or fried foods
Relaxation Techniques for Nausea Nuking
Relaxation techniques can help zap nausea and vomiting by inducing a sense of calm and distracting you from those unsettling feelings. Here's what you can try:
- Deep Breathing: Taking slow, deep breaths can help lower your heart rate, reduce stress, and ease your tummy troubles.
- Guided Imagery: Visualize a peaceful place and let your mind escape to paradise.
- Meditation: Focus on your thoughts, accepting them and letting them go, to achieve a state of blissful calm.
- Hypnosis: Some folks find comfort in guided hypnosis or self-hypnosis to relax and alleviate nausea.
- Music: Pop on your favorite tunes to help wipe away those queasy vibes.
Aromatherapy for Nausea Neutralizing
While essential oils may have potential health benefits (be sure to research brands for quality and safety), the FDA does not regulate their purity or quality. Remember to consult your healthcare professional before trying essential oils and perform a patch test before using a new oil.
One oil that may assist in reducing nausea is peppermint oil, according to some research. In people undergoing chemotherapy, peppermint oil was found to reduce nausea frequency and severity, as well as decrease vomiting and retching[1]. To harness the power of peppermint oil:
- inhale it
- rub some on your skin or apply it to a cold cloth and place it on your head
- always dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil like jojoba oil or coconut oil before applying to the skin to help prevent skin irritation.
Home Remedies for Lil' Ones
For the initial 12 to 24 hours of vomiting, it's quite possible to steer clear of providing solid foods to your child, depending on the severity and frequency of vomiting. Instead, they might benefit from imbibing small amounts of electrolyte solution to help them steer clear of dehydration and to minimize further vomiting. Here are some tips for re-hydrating your lil' one:
- fashion ice pops or ice cubes from oral rehydration solutions or drinks with electrolytes
- offer a child gelatin as an alternative to liquids
- dilute fruit juice with water
Post 12 to 24 hours, your child can begin consuming some bland eats like:
- crackers
- toast
- bland soups
- bananas
- mashed potatoes
Coping Strategies for Alcohol-Related Nausea
Alcohol can dehydrate your body, worsening that hangover you're dealing with. Moreover, it can irritate your stomach, upping your stomach acid and slowing digestion, which might lead to irritation that results in nausea and vomiting. If you're experiencing alcohol-related yuck, try these tips for some relief:
- give bouillon soup a go, as it's gentle on the stomach and packed with vitamins and minerals
- munch on some sugary goods to calm those trembles
- opt for an antacid
When to Seek Medical Attention
If your nausea and vomiting persist for more than 2 days, it's best to reach out to a healthcare professional. In addition, contact your doc if:
- home remedies aren't offering any relief
- signs of severe dehydration, like extreme thirst, dark-colored pee, scant pee output or dizziness, pop up
- you suspect that you may be preggers
- you're preggers and experiencing sour stomach maladies, as this might indicate hyperemesis gravidarum
- you've sustained a head injury
- your vomit is bloody or looks like coffee grounds (often dried or old blood)
If you're a parent and concerned about your kid's symptoms, always consult a doctor. A healthcare professional may suggest rehydration with intravenous fluids and prescribe anti-nausea medications as needed.
The Bottom Line
While many instances of nausea and vomiting will eradicate themselves, you can employ various strategies to ease discomfort and alleviate nausea.
Resting, keeping hydrated, and eating plain foods post-vomiting can make a world of difference in managing those not-so-pleasant feelings. Relaxation techniques and aromatherapy may also provide relief.
If vomiting persists for a couple of days, it's essential to contact a healthcare professional.
[1] __Peppermint oil for preventing and managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a systematic review.__Volpe SL, Lo Biondo A, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2015, 33: 112-121.
[2] __Evidence-based strategies for prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting in adults undergoing cancer chemotherapy.__Courtright RG, Frouws DN, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2013, 32: 1645-1660.
[3] __Ginger for treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: a systematic review.__Malone AD, Young SN. J Hum Hypertens. 2015, 29: 863-874.
[4] __Olfactory stimuli associated with nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.__Chamberlain SC, Nicholson ELS, et al. J Reprod Infant Psychol. 2012, 30: 460-470.
[5] __Ginger for preventing and treating nausea, motion sickness, and vertigo: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.__Bensoussan A, Holtmann G, et al. Phytother Res. 2011, 25: 1334-1341.
- Those with psoriatic disease might find relief from nausea and stomach discomfort through aromatherapy, specifically by using peppermint oil, which some research suggests can reduce nausea frequency and severity.
- For individuals with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, a predictive caregiver might consider the potential impact of dehydration due to diarrhea and seek strategies to maintain fluid levels.
- In the realm of science and health-and-wellness, researchers have explored the use of pfizer's drug Givenora for the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.
- Arthritis patients dealing with migraines might benefit from following a nutrition plan rich in anti-inflammatory foods and engaging in fitness-and-exercise routines to manage symptoms and promote overall well-being.
- The mental health aspects of nausea are also crucial; encouraging positive thoughts and relaxation techniques can help reduce anxiety and discomfort during episodes.
- Aromatherapy, with a focus on lavender oil, has been suggested as a potential tool for promoting sleep and reducing stress in caregivers, which is essential for their overall health and well-being.
- Medications such as metoclopramide, a type of antiemetic, may be prescribed for those with psoriasis who experience nausea as a side effect of certain treatments.
- Essential oils like ginger, lemon, and peppermint are often studied for their potential effects on reducing nausea and promoting digestion, making them popular among health-conscious individuals seeking natural solutions.
- Science has also shown that diet and exercise play significant roles in diabetes management. Regular physical activity and a balanced nutrition plan can help people with diabetes avoid complications like nausea and dehydration.
- For people struggling with mental health issues like anxiety or depression, practical strategies like deep breathing exercises, guided imagery, meditation, hypnosis, and listening to calming music can help alleviate symptoms and improve overall well-being.
- Over-the-counter medicines like ginger supplements, probiotics, and products containing electrolytes can be gotten from a health-and-wellness store and used to help manage nausea and maintain hydration levels.
