Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms that may result from stomach infections, food poisoning, indigestion, motion sickness, medicines, pregnancy and other conditions. Mild cases often improve with simple care, such as taking small sips of fluids, eating bland foods, trying ginger, getting fresh air and resting. However, persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit or signs of dehydration may require prompt medical attention.
There are many reasons why your stomach may feel unsettled. You may feel nauseous, vomit, or experience both. Most short-term cases improve on their own, especially when caused by a stomach bug, indigestion or something you ate.
Still, nausea and vomiting can leave you feeling weak and uncomfortable. Simple steps such as taking small sips of fluid, eating bland foods and trying ginger may help settle your stomach. The right approach depends on what is causing your symptoms.
Nausea is the feeling that you may be sick. You may have a queasy or unsettled feeling in your stomach, even if you do not actually vomit.
Vomiting is when your stomach contents are forced out through your mouth. You can have nausea without vomiting. However, nausea often occurs just before vomiting. Common symptoms of nausea and vomiting may include:
Nausea and vomiting can happen for many different reasons. Some causes are temporary and settle within a few days. Others may need medical attention. Common causes of nausea and vomiting include:
Nausea can sometimes occur with other symptoms. For example, nausea with diarrhoea may occur with a stomach infection or food poisoning. Nausea with heartburn may be linked to acid reflux.
If nausea keeps coming back or does not improve within a few days, it is worth speaking to a doctor.
There is no single home remedy that works for everyone. However, a few simple measures may help reduce nausea and make it easier to recover.
Vomiting causes your body to lose fluids. Repeated vomiting can therefore lead to dehydration. Do not try to drink a large amount at once if you feel sick. Instead, take small, frequent sips of water.
You can also try:
If you are vomiting repeatedly, an oral rehydration solution can help replace fluids and important electrolytes.
Ginger is one of the most commonly used natural remedies for nausea. Research suggests it may help reduce nausea and vomiting, including nausea associated with pregnancy.
You can try:
If you are pregnant, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking ginger supplements. Ginger in food or drinks may be a simpler option.
Some people find peppermint tea soothing when they feel nauseous.
Peppermint may help with certain digestive symptoms. However, it can worsen heartburn in some people. If peppermint makes your symptoms worse, stop using it.
A cup of caffeine-free chamomile tea may feel soothing when your stomach is unsettled.
Chamomile has traditionally been used for digestive problems, including nausea and indigestion. However, research on its effectiveness is still limited.
Strong smells can make nausea worse. Cooking smells, perfumes and other odours may trigger or increase the feeling of sickness.
Opening a window or getting some fresh air may help. It can also help to avoid cooking or being around strong-smelling foods until you feel better.
A completely empty stomach can sometimes make nausea worse.
Instead of eating a large meal, try small portions throughout the day. Eat slowly and stop if you begin to feel more nauseous. Plain foods such as toast, rice, crackers and pasta may be easier to tolerate.
Your body may need time to recover. Rest can be especially helpful if nausea and vomiting are caused by an infection. Avoid strenuous activity until you start feeling better.
After vomiting, you may not feel like eating. That is normal. Focus on fluids first and eat when you feel able to. Start with small amounts of easy-to-digest foods, such as:
These foods are generally easier to tolerate when your stomach is unsettled.
As your symptoms improve, gradually return to your usual balanced diet. You do not need to follow a very restricted diet for several days.
Water is a good starting point. Take small sips rather than drinking a large glass quickly.
If you have been vomiting repeatedly, an oral rehydration solution may be more useful because it replaces both fluids and electrolytes.
Some foods and habits can make nausea worse. For a while, try to avoid:
It may also help to avoid lying down soon after eating. Eating slowly and having smaller meals can make nausea easier to manage.
If you have diarrhoea along with vomiting, avoid fizzy drinks and large amounts of fruit juice, as these may make diarrhoea worse.
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, often called morning sickness, are very common. Despite the name, they can happen at any time of the day or night. For many women, symptoms improve by around 16 to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Some simple measures may help:
If you cannot keep food or fluids down, feel very weak or dizzy, have dark urine, are passing urine less often or are losing weight, contact your doctor. Severe pregnancy-related vomiting can cause dehydration and may need treatment.
Most short-term nausea and vomiting are not serious. However, some symptoms should not be ignored. Seek medical advice if:
Get urgent medical help if vomiting occurs with severe abdominal pain, confusion, difficulty breathing, a sudden severe headache or other serious symptoms.
Children, older adults and people with certain health conditions can become dehydrated more quickly. If a child is repeatedly vomiting or cannot keep fluids down, seek medical advice rather than relying only on home remedies.
Home remedies may help relieve symptoms, but they do not treat every underlying cause.
For example, nausea caused by a mild stomach infection may improve with rest, fluids and simple foods. However, persistent vomiting caused by another medical condition may need specific treatment.
Think of home remedies as ways to support recovery and ease symptoms, rather than a guaranteed cure.
If your symptoms are severe, keep returning or are not improving, a doctor can help identify the cause and recommend appropriate treatment.
Nausea and vomiting are common and often improve with simple care. Small sips of fluid, bland foods, ginger, fresh air and plenty of rest may help settle your stomach.
However, home remedies are not suitable for every situation. Persistent vomiting, severe pain, blood in the vomit or signs of dehydration need medical attention.
If you are unsure what is causing your symptoms, or they keep coming back, speak to a healthcare professional rather than relying only on home remedies.
Yes, ginger may help reduce nausea and vomiting. It has been studied for several types of nausea, including nausea during pregnancy. You can try ginger in food or tea. Speak to a healthcare professional before taking ginger supplements, especially during pregnancy.
Some people find certain drinks soothing when they feel nauseous. Peppermint tea may help some people, but it can worsen heartburn in others. Lemon water may be refreshing, but acidic drinks can aggravate symptoms for some people. If a drink makes your nausea worse, avoid it.
Take small, frequent sips of water or an oral rehydration solution. Avoid drinking a large amount quickly, as this may trigger more vomiting. If you cannot keep fluids down or have signs of dehydration, seek medical advice.
Some simple measures, such as offering appropriate fluids in small amounts, may help. However, children can become dehydrated quickly. Avoid giving children herbal supplements or medicines without checking with a doctor or pharmacist first. If a child keeps vomiting or cannot keep fluids down, seek medical advice.
No. Food poisoning is only one possible cause. Vomiting can also happen because of stomach infections, motion sickness, migraine, pregnancy, medicines, anxiety and other conditions. The symptoms that occur alongside vomiting can provide clues about the possible cause.
Yes. Mild pregnancy-related nausea may improve with small, frequent meals, rest, avoiding triggers and sipping fluids. Some women also find ginger helpful. If vomiting is severe or you cannot keep food and fluids down, speak to your doctor or midwife.
Written and Verified by:
Consultant - GI & Hepato-Biliary Surgeon Exp: 27 Yr
Gastro Sciences
Dr. Ajay Mandal is a Consultant GI & Hepato-Biliary Surgeon at CMRI Hopsital, Kolkata, with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in liver, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers, performing complex surgeries including laparoscopic and robotic procedures.
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