What Can I Do to Relieve My Nausea?

Nausea, sometimes referred to as a sick stomach, is an uncomfortable feeling that can lead to vomiting. Sometimes there is a serious underlying condition that causes nausea, and other times you may have a stomach bug, nerves or are simply hungry. Whatever the cause, there are several things you can do at home to help improve your condition.

Potential Causes of Nausea

It might be impossible to pinpoint the exact cause of nausea, but having some idea can help you know how to alleviate it. Many times, nausea passes on its own, but there are also times when medical attention is necessary. If vomiting goes on for too long, for example, you can be at risk of dehydration. Some common causes of vomiting and nausea include the following:

Severe worry or stress or other strong emotions
Medical treatments such as chemotherapy or other cancer treatments
Pregnancy or morning sickness
Stomach illness
Bacteria in food
Infections

Those with nausea may have a foul mouth odor, an upset stomach, changes in eating habits, and increased sweating, saliva and clamminess.

Tips to Relieve Nausea

It’s crucial that your body maintains appropriate fluid levels when nauseated or when you are vomiting. If there are any signs of dehydration, you should see a doctor immediately. Sometimes when you are sick, it’s difficult to keep even water down so a doctor may recommend fluids introduced through an IV.

Other things to do when you are nauseated include:

Sit quietly (as motion and movement can make it worse)
Eat bland foods such as toast, potatoes, rice, noodles or crackers
Eat six to eight smaller meals rather than three big meals throughout the day
After eating, remain in a sitting position—in other words, avoid lying down immediately after eating
Eat in a pleasant place without strong odors
Get outside for fresh air
Do something to distract your mind from your nausea, such as reading a book or watching TV
Rinse your mouth after vomiting with salt and baking soda
Suck on hard candy, especially peppermint candy
Take anti-nausea medication as prescribed by a medical provider

There are also things you can avoid when you have nausea, such as:

Spicy foods
Strong-smelling food
Greasy, processed foods
Foods high in salt
Alcohol, carbonated drinks and caffeine

When to Call the Doctor

If you or someone you love is vomiting, it may be necessary to seek urgent medical attention from a doctor or other medical professional. If you experience stomach pain, fever, weakness or if you don’t urinate for more than eight hours, it’s time to get help. When nausea lasts more than two days, you can’t keep any liquid or food down or you vomit three or more times in a 24-hour period, you may want to schedule an appointment with your doctor.