Prevent Yourself from Vomiting

Vomiting is never fun, and while it can sometimes be necessary, in many cases you'll want to stave it off, at least long enough to get somewhere it won't be as socially catastrophic. The need to vomit arise due to a variety of factors, including illness, motion sickness, dizziness, and anxiety. Whatever the cause, there are a few simple things you can do to reduce a sudden onset of nausea and help your stomach relax.

Steps

Moving Your Body

1. Find some fresh air. Tight spaces, or other stuffy situations, can increase nausea. Therefore, if possible, get out of the room for a few minutes, or at least open a window, then take several deep breaths of fresh air.
2. Sit quietly for a bit. Let your body relax for a few minutes because moving around sometimes makes nausea worse. If you've eaten recently, it's better to sit instead of lying down.
3. Use acupressure. Similar to acupuncture, acupressure is based on traditional Chinese practices and uses the body's natural pressure points. Applying occasional pressure to the P-6 pressure point on your wrist, can help lessen nausea and vomiting.
   • With the palm of one hand facing up, place the first three fingers of your other hand over the wrist while feeling for the two large tendons under the thumb. The point you seek is about three finger lengths below your wrist.
   • Apply pressure to the point using a circular motion while making sure you are pushing down on the point. This should not cause any pain or discomfort and you can continue to apply pressure for two or three minutes.
   • Repeat on your other wrist. Locate the pressure point on your other wrist, then apply pressure in a circular motion for a couple of minutes.
4. Try relaxation techniques. Divert your attention from your discomfort by thinking about something calming. This method is most effective if you have practiced the technique before the need arises to relieve your nausea. There techniques which might help:
   • Autogenic relaxation. This involves finding something to take your mind off the nausea (or whatever else you are feeling). Repeat a word or phrase to yourself, not related to your nausea. Try to think of something peaceful or relaxing. As you repeat this idea, make your deepen your breathing and relax your muscles.
   • Visualization. Picture a peaceful or calming setting in your mind. Think about how your various senses would experience this place, things you might feel, smell, or hear, as well as what you would see. It can help to close your eyes and sit while you do this.
   • Deep breathing. Find a quiet place to sit. Take a normal breath, then a deep breath. Breath in slowly through your nose, and let the air fill your lungs and abdomen. Exhale slowly, through your mouth is better, but it can be through your nose if that is more comfortable.

Consuming Items

1. Drink some liquid. Water is always a good choice. If available, sweet liquids like flat soda or fruit juice can also help keep your stomach down.
   • Avoid more acidic drinks like orange or grapefruit juice.
   • If you can't find anything else, sucking on an ice cube can give you water and help control the nauseous feelings
2. Find something to suck or chew on. Hard candies like peppermints or lemon drops, or something like peppermint gum can help settle your stomach.
3. Eat something bland. Find some plain tasting food, like toast or crackers. If these aren't available, try something like cereal, rice, or fruit.
   • Avoid fatty, greasy, or spicy foods. These will only upset your stomach further.
   • Make sure your food is cool before eating it. This will reduce the strength of some tastes.
4. Take some ginger. Ginger has been found to reduce nausea from motion sickness in some people. You can get ginger from a variety of foods that contain it, including ginger snap cookies, ginger bread, ginger ale soda, and even ginger tea. In general, one gram of ginger spread out in small doses should reduce nausea, so a few cookies or a can of flat soda should be enough.
   • Do not give ginger to children under the age of 2. Pregnant women should first discuss taking it with their doctor, and limit themselves to no more than 4 grams per day.
5. Take anti-nausea medication. These are simple, over the counter pills for motion sickness, like Dramamine, that can reduce nausea, and hopefully prevent vomiting. If you have some available, take one.
   • Avoid medications such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), as these will likely upset your stomach more.
   • If your nausea continues, or has been caused by an outside condition like chemotherapy, talk to your doctor about stronger prescription medications. These can include corticosteroids, dopamine and serotonin antagonists, and aprepitant.

Tips

• You can mix and match these methods as you feel comfortable, you don't need to pick just one.

Warnings

• If you are unable to prevent yourself from vomiting regularly, you should go see a doctor to discuss your health. It could be the sign of a more serious condition.
• Don't force yourself to hold back the vomit for too long. Vomiting is one way for your body to tell you something is wrong.
• These methods can only make you less likely to vomit. Sometimes, there will be no way to avoid it.

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Sources and Citations

See also

• Diagnose Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome
• Stop Retching After Vomiting
• Clean Up Vomit
• Vomit While Driving
• Induce Vomiting
• Cure Nausea
• Stop Vomiting
• Avoid Throwing Up
• Deal With Chronic Unexplained Nausea
• Throw up As Comfortably As Possible

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