If vomiting is being caused by a medical condition, your health care provider can prescribe appropriate medication and therapy to treat that condition. If medication is causing your nausea or vomiting, talk to your provider about your treatment and if another option exists.
If you are dealing with mild vomiting caused by the common cold or flu, or are waiting for an appointment with your health care provider, there are some simple self-care methods you can use to relieve your symptoms. These include:
- Drink plenty of water. Vomiting dehydrates you. Dehydration can make vomiting worse. Drink plenty of clear fluids, especially water, to maintain hydration levels. Ginger ale and mint tea can also help soothe the stomach.
- Eat bland foods. Light, bland foods such as saltine crackers and plain white bread are easy to get down and digest with an upset stomach. Avoid fatty or spicy foods, as these can upset your stomach even more. Additionally, avoid high fiber foods like certain vegetables, cereals, and grains.
- Rest. Too much activity can make your symptoms worse. Lie down and stay as inactive as possible until your symptoms start to subside.
- Take an OTC medication for nausea. Drugs such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine (Bonine) are used to treat motion sickness and may help relieve associated symptoms like vomiting.