Whether it is caused by physical activity, overeating or even a medical condition, nausea can reduce you to bad shape. When it arises, there are various tips and tricks to alleviate it. If, coupled with vomiting, it becomes a persistent problem, try modifying your diet and making some changes to your normal daily routine to avoid further complications. If you have severe or recurring symptoms, ask your doctor for a drug that can help reduce the discomfort associated with nausea and vomiting.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Get Instant Relief
Step 1. Sit down and try to relax when you feel nauseous
Find a comfortable position and try to stay still. Avoid lying down, especially if you've recently eaten. Take slow, deep breaths and imagine you are in a quiet, reassuring place.
As you move, you risk making the situation worse, so try to stay still for a few minutes. Try to take your mind off the feeling of nausea. Think of a pleasant place from your childhood or imagine sitting among lush fields on a beautiful spring day
Step 2. Open the window or go out for some fresh air
If you have the opportunity to be outside and the weather permits, try sitting on the porch or patio. You can also look out of a window if you can't get out.
Fresh air will help, but keep in mind that hot, humid weather or direct sunlight can make your malaise worse
Step 3. Take an antacid or antiemetic
An over-the-counter medication will offer you relief, but it may take up to 30 minutes to work. Try taking bismuth subsalicylate (contained in Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate). Dramamine is a viable alternative, but is most effective if taken 30-60 minutes before engaging in activities that can promote nausea or motion sickness (motion sickness, plane sickness, air sickness).
- If this is a recurring problem, your doctor may prescribe an antiemetic.
- For any medicine, always follow the directions of your doctor or the package leaflet. Avoid taking several antiemetics at a time and do not exceed the recommended doses.
Step 4. Try using ginger to soothe an upset stomach
Sip ginger tea or chew or suck on ginger candy to calm your stomach. This root contains substances that can aid digestion and relieve nausea.
- To make the tea, peel and cut 5cm of ginger root, then bring the slices to a boil in 240ml of water. Filter the solution or, if you prefer, chew the pieces once they have cooled.
- Low-sugar ginger beer can also help allay nausea. However, avoid caffeinated soft drinks.
Step 5. Drink a cup of warm chamomile tea
Prepare it and sip it slowly. Chamomile has been used for centuries to relieve nausea and other health problems. It relaxes the digestive system, reduces stomach acid and can help calm anxiety and nervousness.
Opt for a theine-free chamomile tea. The theine could make stomach pain worse
Step 6. Suck on some nice-tasting candy
Try lemon, ginger, or peppermint candies to help keep nausea under control. They are also useful in case of cacogeusia (bad taste in the mouth) which aggravates stomach pain.
- The essential oils contained in these products can help relieve nausea.
- Go to a health food store and choose candies that contain few artificial additives.
Step 7. Distract yourself with your favorite book, podcast or TV show
Neutralize stomach discomfort using the power of distraction. Wear comfortable clothing and dedicated to some pleasant and relaxing activity. You may find that after about 20-30 minutes it has passed.
Part 2 of 4: Changing the Power
Step 1. Choose foods that are light and easy to digest
Avoid foods that are too sweet, spicy and oily, as they can trigger nausea. Bananas, rice, apples, and toast are all great food choices that won't burden your digestion when you have an upset stomach.
Step 2. Accompany your meals with water to aid digestion
Help the body dilute gastric juices and absorb nutrients by drinking a glass of water 1-2 hours before eating. Then sip it at the table if you continue to feel bad. This way, you will produce softer stools that will help relieve the nausea associated with constipation.
Step 3. Eat foods that are not too hot or at room temperature
When you feel bad, allow the food to cool slightly, otherwise opt for fruit and a plate of vegetables instead of a hot plate. Hot foods can give off strong odors, making nausea or vomiting worse if you have a sensitive stomach.
Low-aromatic foods, such as crackers, are more palatable than those that produce a strong odor
Step 4. Consider the evidence for food intolerances and allergies
If you notice that certain foods make you nauseous, ask your doctor for allergy tests. The skin test is the best procedure to identify food allergies that can be at the origin of this malaise.
- Typically, the allergist performs skin testing to determine if a patient is sensitive to certain foods. Avoid taking antihistamines before undergoing this diagnostic test.
- Your doctor may also recommend that you try an elimination diet to see if you are sensitive to certain foods, such as gluten, dairy, soy, peanuts, eggs, and corn.
Step 5. Eat low-fiber foods before engaging in activities that promote nausea
If you notice that things get worse when exercising, opt for low-fiber foods, such as refined grains or fruit juices. They are more digestible because they pass through the stomach faster.
- Most people find it more effective to relieve nausea when their stomachs are empty or partially full than when they are full.
- For example, if you tend to throw up when you run, try replacing your regular turkey breast sandwich with a protein shake. A liquid meal is digested more quickly and does not easily cause nausea.
Step 6. Stay hydrated by respecting your daily fluid intake
If you are a man, try to drink about 3.7 liters of fluids a day, while if you are a woman, you will only need 2, 7. Dehydration risks worsening nausea and vomiting, in turn, promotes fluid loss bodily.
- Rehydration is especially important if you are vomiting a lot or are suffering from diarrhea.
- Avoid consuming too many energy drinks or taking too much electrolytes because a high sugar intake can actually cause nausea in the most sensitive individuals.
- Water also promotes proper digestion.
Step 7. Eat what you like according to your needs
If you feel nauseous, consume the foods that you think are best suited to your health condition. Sometimes, your favorite foods are more appetizing and stomach-pleasing.
- For example, you could opt for a light dish, such as mashed potatoes, as long as it is to your taste, rather than gulping down a piece of toast just to put something digestible on your stomach.
- It is always a good idea to avoid foods that are too sweet, spicy or fatty, as they can cause stomach upset.
Step 8. Eat some crackers before getting out of bed if you have morning sickness
If you almost always feel sick when you wake up, keep a pack of crackers on your nightstand. With a frugal bite you can raise your blood sugar level and keep nausea at bay.
This is an excellent trick if you are pregnant and suffer from morning sickness or if you are undergoing chemotherapy
Step 9. Sit upright for an hour when you have finished eating
To make sure that food is properly descending into the gastrointestinal tract and to aid digestion, assume a position that harnesses the force of gravity. Avoid moving vigorously or lying down immediately after a large meal, or you may awaken the nausea.
If your stomach hurts and you believe that lying down you can feel better, instead of on your right side, try lying on your left to activate blood circulation
Part 3 of 4: Adopting Habits That Relieve Stomach Pain
Step 1. Reduce stress by meditating
Meditate in order to decrease the level of anxiety and adrenaline that can cause both nausea and vomiting. Sit or lie down comfortably with your eyes closed, focusing only on your breath for about ten minutes. Try to clear your mind of any unnerving thoughts and release the physical tension.
If you are new to meditation, try using an application like "Relax By Andrew Johnson" (in English) or "Relax in 5 minutes" (in Italian)
Step 2. Avoid using NSAIDs before exercising
Take them once you've finished exercising. If you take acetaminophen and ibuprofen before exercising, you risk vomiting, as they are drugs that irritate the stomach lining.
This is especially true if you participate in an endurance sports competition, such as a marathon or triathlon
Step 3. Stop on long journeys
If you tend to feel nauseous when traveling in a car, calm your stomach by taking a break every hour. By giving yourself a moment of respite when the situation becomes more critical and putting your feet on the ground for five minutes, you can ease the discomfort and feel better.
Step 4. Warm up your muscles before exercising and relax once you're done
Practice lighter exercises for 15 minutes before and after your main workout to help your stomach adjust to movement. An abrupt interruption or departure can cause nausea and vomiting.
Walking or jumping rope are two great exercises to start and finish your workout
Part 4 of 4: Using Drugs and Other Therapies
Step 1. Ask your doctor what anti-emetic drugs are
Consult it to find out if you can take ondansetron, promethazine or other active ingredients that relieve nausea and vomiting. If the cause is attributable to taking chemotherapy drugs or being pregnant, many medications can ease stomach discomfort and help you get through the day.
- Tell him about the medications and supplements you are taking so he can determine the right therapy to follow. Do not take more than one antiemetic at a time, otherwise it could trigger serious side effects.
- Tell them if you are pregnant or breastfeeding so they can weigh the benefits and risks of taking these medicines.
Step 2. Use dimenhydrinate if you get seasick from time to time
Try a Xamamina pill about half an hour before doing something that gives you stomach pain due to constant movement. Adults and children over 12 years of age can take dimenhydrinate every 4 to 6 hours as needed to reduce nausea when awakening.
If you have a child under 12, talk to your pediatrician to rule out the risks associated with dimenhydrinate in younger people
Step 3. Put on the wrist pressure bracelets
Stimulate the P6 pressure point - the one that supposedly relieves nausea - by wearing a pair of bracelets designed to offer relief from nausea. They have no known side effects and can be carried safely throughout the day if they prove useful.
Even without the bracelet it is possible to stimulate the pressure point P6 by pressing about two fingers away from the inner crease of the wrist
Step 4. Take probiotics
They can be useful in the treatment of acute nausea and vomiting. They act by promoting the restoration of the microbial ecosystem in the gastrointestinal system. You can find various types in most pharmacies and herbalists, and each is formulated as an adjunct in the relief of particular gastrointestinal problems. Get them following the package insert or the doctor's directions.
