Strategies And Remedies For Nausea And Vomiting
Nausea can come up at unexpected moments and make it hard to go about your day. Sometimes, there can be an obvious reason you feel the need to vomit, such as food poisoning or the flu. However, you can feel nauseous for other reasons, such as stress, anxiety, a bad smell, or even the sight of another person vomiting. Regardless of the cause, there are treatments and remedies to stop nausea and vomiting. Below, we’ll discuss some of the common causes of nausea and strategies to help you stop vomiting.
What causes nausea and vomiting?
Nausea can be a symptom and sign of several medical and psychological conditions. One common cause is food poisoning.
Food poisoning
Food poisoning is typically caused by contaminated or undercooked food. Food poisoning can be accompanied by severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other symptoms. If nausea or vomiting worsens or does not stop, it’s recommended that you seek medical attention. A healthcare provider may provide interventions to avoid dehydration until the vomiting subsides.
Pregnancy
A common symptom of pregnancy is morning sickness, which is often characterized by nausea and vomiting in the first few months. Some women may experience morning sickness throughout their entire pregnancy. Also, these symptoms can arise at any time of the day.
Stress and anxiety
In some people, nausea can sometimes come from stress and anxiety. This may be due to the way that stress can lead to a fight-or-flight response, which can affect the body’s digestive system. Other symptoms like a severe headache and acid reflux can sometimes accompany the nausea from stress.
Psychogenic vomiting
Paychogenic is vomiting that occurs without any apparent organic cause. According to research published in Cureus, “psychogenic vomiting occurs as an emotional disturbance and can affect all age groups.” This diagnosis may be made after a healthcare provider has ruled out other physical causes of vomiting.
Cyclic vomiting syndrome
Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) causes repeated episodes of nausea and vomiting that may last for a few hours or several days. These episodes alternate with periods of no nausea or vomiting. The cause of CVS is unknown, but some foods may trigger an episode.
How to treat and stop nausea
When you feel nauseated, you might try some of the following strategies to stop yourself from vomiting:
- Get some fresh air. Fresh air may help control the urge to vomit. You might take a walk outside or just open a window. This strategy may be helpful if you start to feel sick while riding in a car. The sudden cold on your skin may cause the nauseous feelings to subside and prevent vomiting.
- Ginger is an ancient remedy used to treat several forms of gastrointestinal concerns, including nausea and vomiting. Several studies have shown that ginger is a safe and effective remedy for both nausea and vomiting. Ginger can be made into a tea besides simply drinking ginger ale, although carbonation may upset some people’s stomachs. Other types of tea that may help include If you peppermint tea and chamomile tea.
- Another strategy involves running cool water on your wrists and the back of your neck. If you feel like your temperature is rising as you start to feel nauseated, this may help to cool you down and distract your mind from the fact that you feel nauseated.
Other ways to help nausea and vomiting
Acupuncture may also help with nausea and vomiting, including when the symptoms are caused by morning sickness or motion sickness. Numerous studies have shown that acupuncture can help prevent and treat nausea and vomiting. Founded in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture involves stimulating specific acupuncture points on the body with the use of heat, needles, or pressure.
Lastly, you might try to distract yourself. If you feel so nauseated that you are unable to move around, it may help to turn on the television or listen to calming music in a comfortable space.
Identifying the cause with a counselor
One potential way to find out if your nausea is caused by a medical condition is to make an appointment with a healthcare provider. You may be experiencing a condition that can be addressed with medication or other treatments. If there is no identifiable physical connection, consider talking to a mental health professional to explore emotional or psychological causes.
People who are experiencing high levels of anxiety may experience nausea and vomiting. As your mind races with all the concerns of life, you may feel your stomach tie up in knots. It may help to make an appointment with a licensed therapist, who may be able to offer insight into the potential cause of your nausea and vomiting.
Online therapy
If nausea makes it difficult to leave home for therapy, you might benefit from online therapy, which numerous studies have shown to be just as effective as in-person therapy. One study found that internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) was effective for anxiety, depression, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Online therapy allows you to connect with a therapist via phone, live chat, or videoconferencing. With online therapy at BetterHelp, you can also contact your therapist at any time through in-app messaging, and they’ll respond as soon as they can. This may be helpful if you experience nausea and symptoms in between sessions, as you can write down what you’re feeling in the moment instead of waiting until the next session to discuss with your therapist.
Takeaway
How can I stop myself from wanting to throw up?
Whether or not you can stop yourself from wanting to throw up depends on the reason you feel like vomiting. For example, pregnant women experiencing morning sickness may benefit from ginger root tea and hydration.
Regardless of the reason, you might consider deep breathing exercises. Taking deep breaths can activate the parasympathetic nervous system and potentially ease nausea. Eating ice chips, using essential oils like peppermint, and consuming bland foods that absorb stomach acids may also help settle your stomach. Additionally, stay hydrated but avoid large or cold drinks, as extreme temperatures may stimulate vomiting.
Note that in cases of acute nausea caused by food poisoning, alcohol, or certain medications, it may not always be possible to prevent throwing up.
How do you stop throwing up if you keep throwing up?
If you keep throwing up, staying hydrated and gradually reintroducing fluids and bland foods can benefit your health. Deep breathing exercises, ginger root tea, or peppermint essential oils may also ease nausea.
If severe symptoms persist, seek medical attention, as prescription medications or intravenous fluids may be necessary. Additionally, if you notice signs of dehydration despite regular fluid intake (e.g., dry mouth or dark urine), it's advisable to seek medical attention.
How long should you wait to eat after throwing up?
After vomiting, you might want to wait up to two hours before attempting to eat. To ease back into eating without straining your stomach, it may help to start with small amounts of plain crackers, white rice, and other bland foods.
Why do I keep vomiting after eating?
Continuous vomiting after eating could be due to various factors, including gastroenteritis (stomach flu), food poisoning, or other digestive issues. If symptoms persist, consult a medical professional to identify the underlying cause and determine appropriate actions.
How do you help someone who is throwing up?
Ice chips, encouraging deep breathing, and creating a calming environment may help someone who is throwing up. Ginger root tea and peppermint essential oils might also ease nausea. If vomiting is severe or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, seek medical attention.
Why does throwing up hurt?
Throwing up can be painful due to the forceful contraction of abdominal muscles and the stomach lining. The stomach acids involved in the process can also contribute to discomfort and a burning sensation, especially if vomiting is frequent or severe.
Can vomit burn your skin?
Yes, vomit can potentially burn the skin because it often contains stomach acids. Try to avoid direct contact with vomit and promptly wash your skin with mild soap and water if you have vomit on it.
Is it better to hold it in or throw up?
In general, it's better to let the body expel what it needs to through vomiting, as holding it in may lead to increased discomfort and potential complications. However, seeking medical advice is recommended if vomiting persists or is severe.
Why does my mouth burn when I throw up?
The burning sensation in the mouth during vomiting is often attributed to stomach acids coming into contact with the sensitive lining of the mouth and esophagus. This acidity can cause discomfort and a burning feeling.
What happens when you vomit too much?
Excessive vomiting can have consequences like dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and esophagus damage caused by stomach acids. Persistent vomiting may indicate an underlying medical issue that would benefit from a consultation with a healthcare professional who can identify and treat the cause.
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