Treat Vomiting at Home

Vomiting occurs when the contents of the stomach are forcibly and involuntarily expelled. It is generally preceded by nausea. Vomiting can be caused by many things, including illness, pregnancy, motion sickness, food poisoning, gastroenteritis (stomach “flu”), alcohol consumption, and migraine. Some medications may cause nausea and vomiting. Many cases of vomiting can be treated at home, but you should see a doctor if you do not feel better or if you see certain warning signs.

Steps

Taking Care of Yourself

1. Support your head. Your head can move violently when you vomit. Try to support it as best as you can.
   • You may want to pull your hair back loosely if it is long. This will keep it from getting in your face if you vomit again.
2. Sit down, or lie propped up. Pillows on a couch can be used to prop you up while you recline. Moving around or lying down flat may make you feel worse.
   • If you are bedridden, lie on your side so that you do not choke on your vomit.
   • You are also more likely to choke on vomit if you are lying flat.
   • Do not lie down after eating, as this may trigger more nausea.
3. Drink fluids. Vomiting can quickly lead to dehydration. However, drinking too much too quickly may provoke another bout of vomiting. Drink slowly in small sips. Aim to consume about 30 ml/½ cup of fluid every 20 minutes or so.
   • Sucking on ice chips or popsicles may help prevent dehydration. Because these melt very slowly, they may also help keep you from feeling nauseated again.
   • Try lemon water, ginger tea, or mint tea.
   • Clear liquids, such as broth, apple juice, and sports drinks, are usually helpful.
   • If you have been vomiting for some time, you may have an electrolyte imbalance, Drink an oral rehydration solution or a sports drink formulated with electrolytes.
   • Avoid milk, alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, and most fruit juices. Milk may increase feelings of nausea. Alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate you. Carbonated beverages may make you feel more nauseated. Fruit juices such as grapefruit or orange juice are too acidic and may provoke further vomiting.
   • Eat foods with a high water content, such as watermelon. These can help you stay hydrated.
4. Eat small meals. Too much food on your stomach may trigger more nausea and vomiting. Try to nibble throughout the day, rather than eating larger meals.
   • Eat bland foods, such as crackers, toast, potatoes, and rice. Bananas and applesauce are also good options. These do not tend to upset your stomach. Baked chicken or fish can be good protein sources, but do not season them.
   • Avoid greasy and spicy foods, such as sausage, fast food, and potato chips. Fried foods and overly sweet foods are also not a good idea.
   • Avoid dairy products. Vomiting can make your body temporarily lactose intolerant, even if you usually do not have a problem eating dairy.
   • Eat slowly. Don’t force yourself to eat too much at once. Stretching your stomach may worsen nausea and cause vomiting.
5. Avoid triggers. Vomiting may be induced by certain triggers, particularly in individuals who are very sensitive to fragrances.
   • The smell of greasy foods may trigger nausea.
   • If the smell of food is a trigger, ask someone else to do the cooking. This is very common in early pregnancy.
   • Strong smells, such as cigarette smoke and perfume, may trigger nausea and vomiting in some people.
6. Get some fresh air. Medical treatments for vomiting often include medical-grade oxygen treatment. This type of oxygen treatment may not be available to you at home. However, getting some fresh air by sitting near a window or taking a brief outdoor walk can also help you manage nausea and vomiting.
7. Know when to see a doctor. Nausea and vomiting may be caused by many things. In many cases you can treat them at home. If you have not been able to eat or drink anything for 12 or more hours, or you've had recurrent nausea and vomiting for more than 48 hours, you should see a doctor. If any of the following symptoms are present with nausea and vomiting, seek emergency medical assistance:
   • Severe abdominal pain or cramping OR severe chest pain
   • Blurred or double vision
   • Fainting before or after vomiting episodes
   • Confusion
   • Cold, clammy, pale skin
   • High fever
   • Stiff neck
   • Severe pain or headache
   • Signs of dehydration (excessive thirst, lethargy, dry mouth)
   • Vomit that is green, resembles coffee grounds, or contains blood
   • Fecal material in the vomit
   • Vomiting after a head injury

Managing Nausea and Vomiting with Other Techniques

1. Try deep breathing. Deep breathing can bring much-needed oxygen back to your system. In addition to getting fresh air, doctors recommend that you practice deep abdominal breathing to help manage nausea.
   • Place one hand on the center of your abdomen. Place the other hand on your chest.
   • Inhale through your nose at a normal pace. You should feel that the hand on your abdomen moves outward more than the one on your chest. Your lower chest and belly should fill with air.
   • Exhale slowly through your mouth.
   • Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose. Hold it for as long as you are able.
   • Exhale slowly through your mouth again.
   • Repeat this cycle at least four more times.
2. Consider aromatherapy. Aromatherapy involves inhaling scents from plant extracts and other chemicals. Apply 1-2 drops of these extracts to a clean gauze pad and inhale. Scientific research has shown that the following essential oils and chemicals can be helpful for nausea and vomiting:
   • Peppermint oil. Peppermint oil may be helpful in reducing feelings of nausea.
   • Ginger extract. The smell of ginger can help settle your stomach and may prevent vomiting.
   • Isopropyl alcohol. Commonly known as rubbing alcohol, isopropyl alcohol may help reduce the urge to vomit when inhaled in very small quantities.
   • Do not use more than 1-2 drops! Using more or inhaling too deeply can cause nasal irritation.
3. Consume ginger. Ginger is helpful in fighting nausea and vomiting when inhaled or consumed. In addition to its fresh form, it is widely available as a powder, tablets, or tea.
   • Drinking ginger ale may make you feel better, but ginger supplements or fresh ginger are more effective than ginger ale. Most commercial ginger ales do not contain significant amounts of the compounds found in natural ginger. The carbonation in ginger ale may also aggravate nausea.
   • Make ginger tea/tisane. There are many recipes, but a simple one is to grate a few ounces of fresh ginger root (one good-sized “knuckle”). Add ½ teaspoon of grated ginger root per 8 ounces of hot water. Allow to steep for 5-10 minutes. You can add a little honey if you like. Slightly sweet beverages may help calm an upset stomach.
   • The maximum safe dose of ginger supplements is 4 grams (about ¾ of a teaspoon).
   • Pregnant women and breastfeeding women can drink ginger tea safely. However, pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take more than 1 gram of ginger per day.
   • Ginger can interfere with some blood-thinning prescription medications. If you are taking blood thinners, consult your doctor before taking ginger.
4. Try other herbal remedies. Other common herbs recommended for nausea and vomiting include clove, cardamom extract, cumin seeds, and baikal root extract. However, these have not received much clinical study. You can try them to see if you feel better, but they may not be effective.
5. Try acupressure. Unlike acupuncture, which involves needles and professional training, light acupressure can be performed at home. The P6 acupuncture point at the inner forearm can prevent nausea and vomiting when stimulated. This stimulation sends signals to your spinal cord and brain that release chemicals into your bloodstream that fight nausea and vomiting.
   • Locate Pressure Point P6, aka “Neiguan.” Position your hand so that your palm is facing you and your fingers are pointing upward.
   • Place 3 fingers of your opposite hand horizontally across your wrist. Use your thumb to feel the point just below your index finger. There are two large tendons in your wrist in this area.
   • Press on this point for 2-3 minutes using a circular motion.
   • Repeat the process on your other wrist.
   • You can also use an acupressure band, such as Sea-band® or ReliefBand®.
6. Use over-the-counter medications. Bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol) can be used to treat mild vomiting due to food poisoning or overindulgence.
   • You can sometimes treat nausea with antihistamine medicines such as meclizine and dimenhydrinate. These are especially helpful for nausea due to motion sickness. They may cause drowsiness.
   • Do not take more than the recommended dosage.

Treating Vomiting in Children

1. Recognize “spitting up.” Spitting up in infants is not the same as vomiting. Babies often spit up small amounts of milk or food. It usually spills out of their mouths soon after feeding, but is not forceful. This is normal and not a cause for concern.
   • Vomiting in infants can be a sign of serious health issues such as intestinal obstruction. See your pediatrician or doctor immediately if your baby has forceful vomiting or multiple vomiting episodes.
2. Keep your child hydrated. Dehydration can be especially dangerous to children. Children’s bodies process electrolytes faster than adults do. Use an oral rehydration solution to keep your child hydrated.
   • Use a commercial solution, such as Pedialyte. It is possible to make your own hydration solutions, but due to the high risk of error, pediatricians recommend that you use commercial rehydration solutions.
   • Have your child drink slowly. Give your child 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 ml) of solution every 5-10 minutes.
   • Avoid fruit juice, soda, and plain water. These will not adequately hydrate and restore your child’s electrolyte balance.
3. Offer your child small amounts of food. Do not offer your child solid foods for the first 24 hours of vomiting. Once your child has stopped vomiting, have your child eat bland, soft foods such as jell-o, mashed potatoes, broth, rice, and banana. Do not press your child to eat if s/he does not want to.
   • Avoid high-fiber foods and high-sugar foods.
   • Breastfeeding an infant will help hydrate the baby and give him or her adequate nutrition.
4. Keep your child lying on his or her side. Young children may inhale or choke on vomit if they are lying on their back. Have your child lie on his or her side.
   • Prop older children up with pillows.
5. Avoid using medications. Young children should not be given over-the-counter medications, such as Pepto-Bismol or antihistamines. These could cause severe illness if given in the wrong doses.
   • Consult with your pediatrician to determine whether there are medicines that are safe to give your child.
6. Know when to see a doctor. If your child cannot keep any liquids down, or if his or her symptoms become worse, call your pediatrician. You should also call your child’s doctor if you see any of the following:
   • Vomit has blood in it
   • Vomit appears green or bright yellow
   • Your child is dehydrated
   • Your child’s bowel movements are black or tarry

Tips

• Eat small meals throughout the day. Even just snacking on crackers or toast can help settle your stomach.
• Don't drink large amounts of water until the stomach can handle it. Too much can exacerbate vomiting and increase likelihood of severe dehydration. Take sips and increase every 20 mins.
• Avoid greasy, spicy, or fatty food.
• Sucking on peppermints may help settle your stomach.
• Don't give your child any sweets, fizzy drinks or any fattening foods as this will only make them worse.

Warnings

• If you have been vomiting for more than 12 hours, see a doctor or go to the hospital.
• If you see any of the symptoms in Method 1, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Related Articles

• Vomit While Driving
• Overcome Nausea at Night
• Prevent Yourself from Vomiting

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
• Prevent Yourself from Vomiting
• Deal With Chronic Unexplained Nausea

Read more ...