We all hate nausea, don't we? That feeling of impending vomiting coupled with stomach pain is truly unbearable. Instead of suffering while waiting for it to pass, try to put into practice some home remedies to reduce this feeling. Try the methods described here to feel good in no time.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Change Activities
Step 1. Rest
Stay home and go to bed as soon as nausea begins. Lying down, avoiding sudden efforts and movements (and maybe getting some sleep) will help mitigate the symptoms of nausea and reduce the chances of vomiting. If necessary, take a sick day from work and not go to school.
Step 2. Get some fresh air
Staying in the room as if you were in a ward is fine, but the air will soon become stagnant and will make you feel worse. Open the windows and let in the breeze and fresh air; as soon as you feel that you are able to do it, go outside for a walk.
Step 3. Avoid strong odors
A bubble bath is tempting, but if you overdo it with soap or scented salts there is the possibility that your stomach is even worse. In general, avoid anything that has a strong smell (perfumes or other). Smell and taste are connected to each other, and a strong smell could be as sickening as a bad taste. Kill two birds with one stone: open the window to let in fresh air, and at the same time get rid of odors.
Step 4. Leave your electronic tools aside
Bright light, noise, and movement from TV, computer, tablet, or phone images may over-stimulate the nervous system and increase nausea. Instead, stay in bed with dim lights, read a book, or try to relax in a similar way. Taking a break from all electronic devices will also help you prevent the headache that often accompanies nausea.
Step 5. Adjust your temperature
There is nothing worse than being sick and feeling hot or too cold. A comfortable temperature helps you rest better; add or remove blankets, depending on how you feel, or take a quick shower / bath. To find the right balance, you can also drink cold or hot liquids.
Step 6. Try over-the-counter medications
If these common sense remedies aren't quite effective, try taking an anti-emetic medication. Take something specific for nausea and vomiting, and be sure to follow the dosage indicated on the leaflet.
Step 7. Don't avoid vomiting
If the stomach ache doesn't subside and the urge to vomit increases, don't stop it. Your body is trying to expel what makes you sick, so allow it. Sure, throwing up isn't fun, but it does an important function in helping you heal and you will probably feel better later.
Method 2 of 3: Eat Anti-Nausea Foods
Step 1. Get some ginger
For years this spice has been used as an aid to combat nausea. Go to the pantry and get some, fresh or candied. If you can handle the taste of the fresh one, eat it raw, otherwise try the candied one or grate it in a cup of hot water to make a tea.
Step 2. Eat some crackers
When nothing else works, simple crackers can calm the nausea. They have a mild flavor and are easy to digest, which makes them great as a food for these occasions. If you can, also eat pretzels that have more nutritional properties.
Step 3. The watermelon
Although it is not the 'first food' one thinks of when one is sick, watermelon however proves to be of great help in fighting nausea. The high water content and delicate flavor help you settle your stomach and take in liquids. If you have a fever, try eating it very cold to get some relief.
Step 4. Boiled rice
White rice is not one of the most appetizing dishes, but it is useful in these cases. Contains easy-to-digest carbohydrates and gives you some energy; moreover, the simple flavor does not irritate the stomach further.
Step 5. Banana
This fruit when it is just ripe (which has already passed the green color but which does not have dark spots) is a great remedy for several reasons. The soft texture and simple flavor make it easy to process in the stomach; it is also rich in potassium, which supports the immune system and helps you heal. You can combine it with the effect of rice: crush a banana and eat it together with boiled rice.
Step 6. Yogurt
Most dairy products are unwelcome when nauseous. However, yogurt with its active bacteria helps the stomach regulate itself and fights harmful bacteria. So grab some natural yogurt that contains probiotics and your stomach will be fully active in no time!
Step 7. Try a toast
Without butter and without jam, nothing! Plain (unburned) toast has properties similar to those of a cracker. Bread is easy to digest, has a light taste and is not "aggressive" to the stomach. Eat a slice and see how you feel before taking another.
Step 8. Avoid foods that trigger nausea
If you eat the foods listed above that's fine, but if you accompany them with others try to be wise. Avoid fatty, fried, spicy, or very sweet foods. They can all cause nausea and stomach pain and induce vomiting.
Method 3 of 3: Fighting Nausea with Liquids
Step 1. Drink lots of water
It helps you flush out toxins and keeps you hydrated so your body can effectively fight against what's hurting you. While it is always important to drink regularly, it is even more important when you are sick. Make sure you always have a glass of water available, and try to drink at least every hour.
Step 2. Try sports drinks
If you are nauseous and vomit, you lose a lot of fluids and have a hard time keeping what you drink in your stomach. Sports drinks are enriched with the electrolytes your body needs to recover. Grab your favorite drink and drink some after each episode of vomiting, to restore hydration and electrolytes.
Step 3. Drink some cranberry juice
Although most juices contain high levels of sugar and flavorings that make the situation worse, blueberry juices have nutrients without overdoing the sugar. Therefore, drink cranberry juice when you suffer from nausea, especially when you can't eat anything else.
Step 4. Mix lemon juice and honey
It is a sweet combination that helps you to settle your stomach quickly without having to overfill yourself with liquids. Combine a teaspoon of lemon juice with the same warm honey. Sip it slowly from time to time. You can also take this compound several times a day if the nausea does not subside.
Step 5. Cinnamon tea
This spice has always been used as a natural remedy for nausea and vomiting. In a cup of hot water, mix 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and let it steep. Drink the tea slowly, even several times a day, until you feel better.
Step 6. Clove tea
It has an autumnal flavor, very similar to that of cinnamon, and is just as effective. Make an infusion with a cup of hot water and a teaspoon of ground cloves. Wait for several minutes for the spice to release its properties and then filter the herbal tea.
Step 7. Cumin herbal tea
It is usually used in cooking to flavor dishes, but cumin also works well in the form of an anti-nausea herbal tea. Put a teaspoon of cumin seeds in boiling water and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes before filtering and slowly drinking the herbal tea. If you want, you can add a little honey.
Step 8. Mint herbal tea
Just like ginger, mint is a widely used herb as a home remedy for nausea. Place a teaspoon of dried, chopped leaves in a cup of boiling water for a perfect herbal tea. You can drink it both hot and cold as often as you like.
Step 9. Ginger ale
If eating ginger isn't enough, get an aperitif made from the same root (ginger ale). First check that ginger is listed in the ingredients, and not a simple artificial flavoring. Sip it slowly to help your stomach recover and to avoid vomiting.
Step 10. Sip cola syrup
It is slightly different from the drink, because the syrup is a thick liquid used to treat nausea. It tastes like soda and you can drink it in small sips when you're sick. Pour a tablespoon or two over crushed ice and sip it for several minutes.
Step 11. Always drink slowly
No matter which drink you choose to hydrate yourself, always avoid gulping it down quickly all in one gulp. Your stomach is already under stress, so make life easier for it with small, slow sips.
Advice
- Don't brush your teeth immediately after eating, as the toothpaste may make you nauseous.
- Rinse your mouth with a mixture of one part vinegar and four parts water after vomiting. This way you get rid of the taste and smell, as well as the dangerous stomach acids.
Warnings
- If nausea persists and you can't find the cause, see your doctor.
- If you are pregnant or have an underlying disease that could be triggering nausea, don't follow these tips, but talk to your doctor.
- If nausea is accompanied by: dizziness, headache, blurry vision etc … sit down and ask someone to call a doctor right away. If you know the cause of the symptoms, follow the prescribed treatment.
