Nothing is worse than nausea. You feel upset, the senses go numb, the body is in turmoil, not to mention the smell of food. To treat nausea, no matter how mild or severe, there are a number of home remedies that will help you regain your strength, move and work throughout the day.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Coping with Nausea with Relaxation
Step 1. Give the body what it needs
If you feel dizzy from nausea, try not to move too much, even when your stomach is jumping through hoops, unless you absolutely have to rush to the bathroom (you can keep a basin nearby in case you gag).
- When fighting vertigo, the first action to take is to keep your head still.
- To prevent dizziness, always get up slowly after resting.
Step 2. Apply a cool, wet washcloth to your forehead
It will not treat nausea or make it go away faster, but many believe that a damp cloth can greatly ease the discomfort. Lie down or tilt your head back so the cloth doesn't move from your forehead, re-wet it if necessary. You can experiment by moving it to different parts of the body to see if it can further alleviate the ailment. Try it on your neck, shoulders, arms, or stomach.
Step 3. Relax
Anxiety is known to make nausea worse, so try not to dwell on all the problems it is causing you. Make sure you get enough sleep and take naps to rest during the day. Whether you feel better or worse when you wake up, at least when you sleep you forget the discomfort. Try to breathe deeply to ease mild stomach discomfort. Deep breaths can create a different rhythm in this part of the body and make you feel better.
- Find a quiet place to sit.
- Inhale slowly through your nose, letting your chest and lower abdomen expand as you fill your lungs.
- Let the abdomen expand fully. Then, slowly exhale through your mouth.
Step 4. Surround yourself with pleasant fragrances
According to some studies, inhaling the vapor of essential oils such as peppermint and ginger can help relieve nausea, but for now these research is not conclusive. However, many feel better when they surround themselves with pleasing aromas, whether in the form of vaporized essential oils or a scented candle.
- Eliminate bad smells from the environment around you. Ask someone to take out the trash or clean the litter box. Avoid sitting in hot rooms.
- Let the air circulate by opening windows or pointing a fan towards your face or body.
Step 5. Distract yourself
Sometimes it is enough to take a walk and get some fresh air to feel better. The sooner you do this following the onset of nausea, the easier it will be to get back on your feet. Either way, make sure you don't get distracted with activities that will make it worse. If something makes you feel worse, stop doing it immediately.
- Try to have fun and forget about the nausea. Watch a movie or talk to a friend. Play a video game or listen to your favorite album.
- "Better outside than inside". Accept that you need to throw up and think about the relief it might actually give you. Trying not to do this may actually be worse than throwing up and not thinking about it again. Some people prefer to induce it to try to do it in a more rapid and "controlled" way.
Part 2 of 4: Foods and Drinks That Relieve Nausea
Step 1. Have regular meals and snacks
If you're nauseous, food is probably the least of your worries. However, it should be at the top of the list of remedies. The hunger you feel when you skip meals and snacks will make you feel even worse, so overcome this temporary aversion to food to get yourself back on track.
- Eat small meals throughout the day, or make snacks to keep your stomach from going into turmoil. However, avoid overdoing it and stop when you are full.
- Avoid spicy, fatty, and processed foods, such as potato chips, stir-fries, donuts, snacks, and so on. These types of foods can make nausea worse.
Step 2. Follow the BRAT diet
BRAT is an English acronym for Bananas, Rice ("rice"), Applesauce ("apple puree") and Toast. This light diet is recommended for those with an upset stomach and diarrhea, because they are easy to digest and assimilate foods. They will not cure nausea, but they will shorten the duration of symptoms.
- Do not follow this diet for too long, as it does not provide many nutrients.
- You should be able to gradually switch to a more regular diet over a 24-48 hour period.
- You can add other light, easy-to-digest foods (clear broth, crackers, and so on) to this diet.
- When you vomit, it is important to remember that you should only consume clear fluids. Start following the BRAT diet only after you haven't vomited for 6 consecutive hours.
Step 3. Use ginger
According to some studies, 1 g of ginger can actually reduce nausea. Take a maximum of 1g at a time, up to 4g per day. If you are pregnant, ask your doctor for clarification before taking it: the dosage during pregnancy varies from 650 mg to 1 g, but it should never exceed this amount. There are many ways to incorporate ginger into snacks, although you shouldn't overdo the doses.
- Munch on crystallized ginger.
- Make a ginger tea by steeping fresh grated ginger in boiling water.
- Buy and drink ginger ale.
- Not everyone responds to ginger. For unknown reasons, part of the population seems not to be receptive to using the plant for this purpose.
Step 4. Use peppermint
Although there is no scientific consensus as to its effectiveness, some studies show that it can effectively relieve nausea. Peppermint is often used for digestive problems such as heartburn and indigestion, and it may help curb abdominal spasms that lead to vomiting. Mint candies, such as Mentos or Tic-Tac, should be eaten in moderation, as sugars can make nausea worse. Sugar-free peppermint chewing gums are a good alternative, but beware: chewing causes a lot of air to build up in the stomach and can cause bloating, exacerbating feelings of nausea. If you're still on a liquid diet, peppermint tea is very helpful.
Step 5. Drink enough fluids
8-10 glasses of clear liquids a day is important for overall good health, especially when you are sick. If nausea is accompanied by vomiting, be especially careful to maintain optimal hydration levels.
- Sports drinks are useful for severe vomiting or diarrhea. The body needs a good balance of electrolytes to function normally. With constant vomiting and diarrhea you can lose essential minerals such as potassium or sodium. Sports drinks contain both and may help you recover lost electrolytes.
- Dilute sports drinks with water.
- Or, drink the same amount of water for each serving of such sodas. This could be the best solution if you are not very inclined to drink only water and prefer something sweeter.
Step 6. A carbonated soft drink may be helpful in calming the stomach
Although it contains a high level of sugar, it could be a good remedy for nausea. To degass a soda, pour it into an airtight container, shake, release the air, close again, shake and repeat the process until there is no more carbonation.
- Coca Cola has been used as a remedy for nausea since before it became famous as a soft drink.
- Ginger ale, if it actually contains natural ginger, is an equally effective remedy.
Step 7. Stay away from harmful drinks
Drinking fluids is important, but there are drinks that make nausea worse. Alcohol, caffeine, and fizzy drinks, for example, are not helpful in treating it, as they can further irritate the stomach. If nausea is accompanied by diarrhea, avoid milk and dairy products until complete recovery. Lactose is difficult to digest and will worsen or prolong the diarrhea.
Part 3 of 4: Taking Medicines to Treat Nausea
Step 1. Look for non-prescription medicines that can give you relief
If you are sure that the nausea has a temporary cause and is not a symptom of an underlying medical problem, you can take a variety of over-the-counter medications. Try to identify the trigger (such as upset stomach or motion sickness) before going to the pharmacy. These medicines are targeted for specific types of nausea.
- For example, nausea due to an upset stomach or gastroenteritis can be treated with medicines based on bismuth subsalicylate, simethicone or Maalox.
- Nausea caused by motion sickness, on the other hand, can be treated with dimenhydrinate.
Step 2. See a doctor for prescription medications if needed
Some medical procedures, such as surgery or cancer treatments, can cause severe nausea that requires prescription medications. Nausea can also be a symptom of various ailments, such as chronic kidney disease or peptic ulcers. There are many different types of medicines that can be used to treat it - your doctor will be able to match the cause to the right drug.
- For example, ondansetron is commonly used to combat nausea from chemotherapy and radiation.
- Promethazine is prescribed after surgery and to treat motion sickness. Scopolamine is used only for motion sickness.
- Domperidone is used to treat a severely upset stomach and is sometimes an integral part of Parkinson's treatment.
Step 3. Take all medicines according to the instructions
Read carefully the leaflet of over-the-counter drugs to know the dosage and respect the instructions to the letter. Prescription medicines also have instructions on the package insert, but follow what your doctor tells you. It may slightly adjust the dosage based on your medical history.
These medicines are stronger, so they can have serious side effects if taken incorrectly. For example, an overdose of ondansetron hydrochloride dihydrate can cause temporary blindness, hypotension, weakness and severe constipation
Part 4 of 4: Identify the Cause
Step 1. Try to determine if you are simply sick
One of the main causes of nausea is having an illness. Nausea can be a symptom of a flu virus, stomach problem, or other such illness.
- It may be worth checking if you have a fever. While not all diseases cause a high fever, it can still be helpful in narrowing down the possible causes of nausea.
- Is it something you ate? Food poisoning is quite common. Check with other people you live with - if everyone has an upset stomach after dinner the previous day, that may be the cause.
- If you continue to have problems for more than a couple of days, it is possible that you have a gastrointestinal problem that goes beyond the flu virus. There are a variety of medical reasons why nausea occurs, from the simplest to the most severe. It would be advisable to contact the attending physician. Severe and prolonged nausea could also be a reason to go to the emergency room (as discussed below).
Step 2. Consider food intolerances
When you start to feel nauseous, think about what you've eaten in the past 8-12 hours. If you happen to suffer from frequent bouts of nausea, keep a diary for a couple of weeks to see if you can find a pattern that will allow you to trace the culprit. If you suspect a food intolerance or other reactions, avoid or limit the food in question and talk to a doctor.
- Lactose intolerance is a common cause of nausea. You can decide to completely avoid milk and dairy products or take over-the-counter medications to aid digestion.
- Allergies can be another problem. If you notice that you feel nauseous immediately after eating strawberries, for example, or the food that contains them, it could be indicative of the origin.
- Food allergies or intolerances can be diagnosed by a qualified specialist.
- In some countries it has become a kind of trend for many people to define themselves as "gluten intolerant" or something like that, without having specific medical tests. Be extremely careful with this type of fashion. While on the one hand it is true that some are particularly sensitive to gluten, sometimes the cure is simply due to a placebo effect, or it may simply happen that you feel better after a certain period of time, perhaps tending to consider the possible change in diet as the solution of the problem.
Step 3. Make sure that nausea is not caused by certain medications
Before introducing additional drugs into the body to treat nausea, you should be sure that the very source of the malaise is not associated with the consumption of a medicine. Many active ingredients, such as codeine and hydrocodone, can cause nausea and vomiting. If you suffer from constant nausea, talk to your doctor to see if these medications have side effects. He may suggest an alternative medication or a lower dosage.
Step 4. Consider if you have motion sickness
Someone gets nauseous when traveling by plane, ship, or car. It can be prevented by choosing a seat that involves minimal movement, such as the front seat of a car or the seat next to the window on an airplane.
- Try getting some fresh air by rolling down the window or taking a walk outside for a few minutes.
- Avoid smoking.
- Avoid spicy or fatty foods.
- Keep your head as still as possible.
- Over-the-counter antihistamines such as dimenhydrinate or meclizine can effectively treat motion sickness. It takes about 30-60 minutes before traveling, but can cause sleepiness.
- Scopolamine is an active ingredient that is prescribed for severe cases.
- Ginger, or products that contain it, are an excellent remedy for nausea. Ginger ale (containing natural ginger), root, candied ginger, are all useful.
- Avoid traveling on an empty stomach, or with a heavy stomach.
Step 5. Remember that morning sickness from pregnancy will pass
Although called "morning", the nausea that accompanies the early stages of pregnancy (and sometimes lasts longer) can occur at any time of the day. In most cases, it disappears after the first trimester, so hold on and wait
- Eating crackers, especially salty ones, will help you feel better, but avoid large meals. Instead, have a snack every 1-2 hours.
- Ginger-based products, such as teas, have also been shown to be effective in treating morning sickness.
Step 6. If you have a hangover, hydrate your body
Did you raise your elbow the night before? You need to replenish fluids so your body can start feeling better. There are also over-the-counter products, such as Alka-Seltzer, formulated to speed up the process of healing from a drunk.
Step 7. Hydrate yourself to treat gastroenteritis as well
A flu or intestinal virus can cause mild to severe nausea and vomiting, often accompanied by stomach pain, diarrhea, and fever. Vomiting and diarrhea can dehydrate the body, so be sure to recover by drinking plenty of water and sports drinks. If you tend to put back the liquids, try small and frequent sips, do not gobble.
- Here are some symptoms of dehydration: dark urine, dizziness and dry mouth.
- If you replace the fluids, see a doctor.
Step 8. Check that you are not dehydrated
In cases such as heatstroke or other situations where a person may be prone to dehydration, one of the symptoms is nausea.
- Don't drink the water too quickly. Sip them a little at a time, or suck on ice, to avoid triggering the retching and worsening the situation.
- Ideally, liquids should not be frozen; better fresh or at room temperature. Drinking too cold liquids can cause stomach cramps and cause vomiting, especially if you are hot.
Step 9. Know when to see a doctor
There are many serious ailments that can cause nausea, including hepatitis, ketoacidosis, severe head bruises, food poisoning, pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, appendicitis, and so on. Go to a doctor if:
- Put back what you eat or drink.
- You threw up more than 3 times in a day.
- You've been nauseous for more than 48 hours.
- You feel weak.
- Have you got a fever.
- You have a stomach ache.
- You have not urinated for more than 8 hours.
Step 10. Call the ambulance if necessary
In most cases, mere nausea is no reason to go to the emergency room. However, if you see some of the following signs, you need urgent care:
- Chest pain.
- Severe abdominal pain or cramps.
- Blurred vision or fainting.
- Confusion.
- High fever and stiff neck.
- Severe headache.
- Vomiting containing blood or similar to coffee beans.
Advice
- If you are retching, do not hold back, because obviously you have substances in your body to excrete. You will probably feel better afterwards.
- If you're trying to sleep but can't because of nausea, try lying on your left side with your knees bent in a fetal position.
- Avoid alcohol and cigarettes.
- Take dried ginger capsules (available at health food stores) to prevent motion sickness and subsequent nausea. They work and have no harmful side effects.
- If the nausea is due to chemotherapy or a medical disorder, in some cases it is possible to take marijuana for therapeutic purposes. Learn about the laws in this regard.
- Put a hot water bottle on your stomach.
- Take a hot / lukewarm shower.
- Try to cool down. Sometimes nausea is caused by the asphyxiating heat. Try drinking cool water or turn on a fan.
- Chew a spearmint or peppermint gum or candy.
Warnings
- Repeating or prolonged nausea can be a symptom of various ailments, from flu to food poisoning, intestinal disorders and tumors. If you are nauseous for no apparent reason, you should see a doctor. Even if you know the reason, for example motion sickness in a car or on a ship, you should consult a specialist if it does not go away within a couple of days.
- If it is possible that the nausea is caused by pregnancy, avoid methods that involve drugs, alcohol, or any other substance that could harm the fetus.
- You should see a doctor even if nausea is accompanied by fever, especially after a certain age.
