Nausea is the queasy feeling you usually have before you vomit. Vomiting is the forceful emptying (throwing up) of the stomach's contents through the mouth.
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms that may happen with many conditions, such as:
It can also happen as a side effect of some medicines.
Vomiting can protect the body by getting rid of harmful substances. However, vomiting a lot or for a long time can lead to dehydration, which is the loss of too much fluid from the body. Becoming dehydrated can be very dangerous, especially for children, older adults, and some people who have other medical problems. To avoid this, you need to replace the lost fluids.
At first you should rest your stomach for a few hours by eating nothing solid and sipping only clear liquids. A little later you can eat soft bland foods that are easy to digest.
If you have been vomiting a lot, it is best to have only small, frequent sips of clear liquids. Drinking too much at once, even an ounce or two, may cause more vomiting.
Clear liquids you can drink are water, weak tea, bouillon, apple juice, and sport drinks. You may also drink soft drinks without caffeine (such as 7-UP) after letting them go flat (lose their carbonation). It may be easier to keep down liquids that are cold. Suck on ice chips or Popsicles if you feel too nauseated to even sip fluids.
Your choice of liquids is important. If water is the only liquid you can drink without vomiting, that’s OK for a few hours. However, if you have been vomiting for several hours, you must replace the minerals (sodium and potassium) that are lost when you vomit. These minerals are also called electrolytes. Ask your healthcare provider what sport drinks or other electrolyte replacement drinks could help you replace these minerals. Avoid liquids that are acidic (such as orange juice) or caffeinated (such as coffee or colas) or have a lot of carbonation. If you have diarrhea as well as nausea or vomiting, do not drink milk.
It is important to drink small amounts (1 to 4 ounces) often so that you do not become dehydrated. Gradually drink larger amounts of the clear fluids. If you vomit, wait an hour and then start over with sipping small amounts of fluid.
You may start eating soft plain foods when you have not vomited for several hours and are able to drink clear liquids without further upset. Good first choices are:
Eat slowly and avoid foods that are acidic, spicy, fatty, or fibrous (such as meats, coarse grains, and raw vegetables). Also avoid extremely hot or cold food. In addition, avoid dairy products if you have diarrhea. You may start eating your normal diet again in 3 days or so, when all signs of illness have passed.
Rest as much as possible. Sit or lie down with your head propped up. Don’t lie flat for at least 2 hours after eating.
If you have cramps or stomach pain, it may help to put a hot water bottle or electric heating pad on your stomach. Cover the hot water bottle with a towel or set the heating pad on low so you don’t burn your skin.
Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) without checking first with your healthcare provider. These medicines may make your stomach symptoms worse. Acetaminophen is different and usually does not upset the stomach.
If you have been vomiting for more than a day or have had diarrhea for over 3 days, you may need to have an exam by your provider, including a check for dehydration. If you are very dehydrated, you may need to be given fluids intravenously (IV). In children and older adults dehydration can quickly become life threatening.
