Nobody likes to throw up, but sometimes it's inevitable. Vomiting is the body's natural reaction when harmful or irritating substances are introduced into the digestive tract. It is often not dangerous. Follow this guide to throw up in the least uncomfortable way possible.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Vomit without Discomfort
Step 1. Find a place to throw up
If you are at home, the toilet, sink or bucket will do just fine. The sink is not exactly ideal, because you run the risk of clogging the drain.
If you are outdoors, try to get away from people and their belongings. Nothing pisses you on more than a drunk dude throwing up in your car. Try to go to a grassy area or an empty parking lot. In these places you can safely reject
Step 2. Make sure you need to throw up
Some people experience waves of nausea and aren't really sure if they should throw up. In these cases they may feel a lot of discomfort, as it would be an unnecessary action. Other people, on the other hand, realize that they are about to throw up, perhaps because they have drunk too much, and they know that it is inevitable. Check for the warning signs that indicate when you are about to throw up:
- Lips turn pale and lose their color;
- You begin to sweat and feel excessive heat;
- Salivation increases and is saltier than normal;
- Severe stomach discomfort;
- Dizzy and unable to move.
Step 3. Try to prevent nausea and vomiting before it's too late
Here are some tips to prevent this body response. Try to practice them before inducing vomiting:
- Drink small sips of sugary liquids such as a fizzy drink or fruit juices (orange and grapefruit juices should be avoided because they are too acidic).
- Rest by sitting or lying down with a few pillows behind your back to keep your torso slightly elevated. Physical activity can make nausea worse and trigger vomiting.
Step 4. Let your stomach reject on its own or stimulate the reaction yourself
Your body will react to the discomfort and vomit spontaneously if you give it the right amount of time; however, if you want to fix the situation as soon as possible, try these remedies:
- Some medications, such as ipecac syrup, induce vomiting when taken by mouth. You can also try drinking water and salt or water and mustard.
- Use your fingers to stimulate the uvula. Put a finger or two at the back of your mouth and try to touch your uvula (the small appendix that hangs down your throat).
- Watch another person throw up. Observing an individual who is vomiting increases the likelihood of rejection as well. Since it's hard to ask someone to puke on command, you can watch videos online.
Step 5. Try to hit the target
Now that you're sure you need to throw up, the next step is to be specific. When you feel you are about to throw up, keep your mouth close to the toilet or container to avoid getting dirty around. If you are outdoors, the closer you are to the ground, the less splash you will produce.
Step 6. Have a drink
Once done, drink some water. It will wash away the sour taste. Also, if you have to vomit again, it will help keep your stomach from being empty. Vomiting on an empty stomach can be very painful.
Part 2 of 3: Be Aware of the Signs of Danger
Step 1. Know that vomiting is a normal reaction, but in some cases it is a symptom of a more serious health problem
A very common cause is gastroenteritis, which is inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract which, although painful, is not a medical emergency.
Step 2. Call a doctor and report your symptoms if:
- The nausea has lasted for more than a couple of days or there is a possibility that it is caused by pregnancy.
- Home treatments have not worked and you think you are dehydrated or have suffered an injury that is causing you to vomit.
- Vomiting has lasted for more than a day or has been accompanied by diarrhea for more than 24 hours.
- If the person vomiting is a small child, the symptoms have lasted for more than a couple of hours, there are signs of dehydration and diarrhea, the fever exceeds 38 ° C, and the child has not urinated for more than six hours.
- If the child is over six years old and the vomiting lasts beyond 24 hours, combined with diarrhea, there are signs of dehydration and the fever reaches 39 ° C or the child has not urinated for six hours.
Step 3. Get urgent medical attention if:
- You notice the presence of blood in the vomit (bright red or with the appearance of "coffee beans");
- You have a severe migraine or a stiff neck
- You manifest lethargy, confusion and loss of consciousness
- You have severe abdominal pain;
- You have more than 38 ° C of fever;
- You have a rapid breathing or heartbeat.
Step 4. See your doctor if you believe you have an eating disorder such as bulimia
This disorder causes you to vomit after eating, in order to keep your weight under control. People who suffer from it eat large quantities of food in a short time and then find ways to get rid of it. Bulimia must be treated by a psychotherapist but it is treatable.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Nausea
Step 1. Eat carefully, regularly and in the right proportions
We all know that eating the wrong thing, or eating too much, can make us throw up. But the way we eat also plays an important role in preventing nausea.
- Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day rather than two large meals interspersed with many hours of fasting;
- Eat slowly and chew well before swallowing;
- Avoid hard-to-digest foods such as dairy, spicy, acidic or fatty foods, and fried foods;
- If you don't like the taste of them, eat cold or room-temperature foods instead of hot or lukewarm.
Step 2. Drink enough and rest after meals
Give your body time to digest and maintain a position that does not hinder the digestive process. This way you can avoid the onset of nausea.
- Drink fluids (preferably water) between meals instead of during. Aim to drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day.
- If you decide to take a nap after lunch, keep your head higher than your feet.
- Physical activity could make nausea worse. Don't overdo your training and don't engage in strenuous activities if you think they'll make you throw up.
Advice
- If you are outdoors, try to throw up on the grass instead of on the asphalt. You will make fewer sketches.
- If you don't have rubber bands or barrettes handy, keep your hair back or ask someone to do it for you.
- Don't force yourself to throw up, try to relax and not panic.
- If you are going to throw up, lean forward, take deep breaths and try not to be frightened.
- Some people prefer to have someone by their side when they are recovering, others try to avoid it; if you feel better with some support, ask a friend, relative or partner to come and help you. However, this may not be a good idea, as many people have 'reflex vomiting' whereby seeing / hearing someone vomit makes them vomit as a reaction.
- Try to have someone close to you.
- When you vomit for the first time in a while, be careful of what happens before the rejection. That way the next time you throw up, you won't be surprised or scared because you already know what's going to happen.
- Hold your nose when you throw up. It will prevent the vomit and acid from getting into your nose and sinuses.
- If you don't pinch your nose and vomit comes out of your nose, blow it out firmly as it is very difficult to clean up.
- Make sure you have a plastic bag handy if you can't get to the bathroom in time.
- If you used a bucket, empty it down the toilet and flush the toilet. Much easier than throwing it elsewhere.
- If you happen to throw up in front of people, don't be embarrassed. It happens to everyone.
- If you are throwing up outdoors, try to keep your torso angle of 45 degrees downward. That way you don't throw up on your shoes and splash less.
- Tell those around you that you are going to throw up, so it won't be an unpleasant surprise.
- Vomiting is often a good thing; it means you probably shouldn't have eaten that extra sweet, drink that extra glass, or run that kilometer exceeding your limits.
- Some people hate having people around when they throw up and push anyone who touches them away, inviting them to leave.
Warnings
- Try to avoid throwing up on curtains, carpets, or furniture; the stains could become permanent.
- If you have long hair, it's probably a good idea to tie it with a rubber band or bobby pin to avoid getting it dirty.
