Care for Nausea and Vomiting

Posted by Dr. Della Parker     on February 19, 2019

Feeling sick to your stomach is never pleasant, but there are several ways to relieve nausea while at home. Whether you’re feeling a little green around the gills or you have a little one with tummy aches, try the following to soothe a nauseous stomach:

To Control Nausea

If you haven’t gotten sick yet, try the following to soothe your stomach:

• Drink clear or ice-cold drinks
• Eat light, bland foods (such as saltine crackers or plain bread)
• Avoid fried, greasy, or sweet foods
• Eat slowly and eat smaller, more frequent meals
• Do not mix hot and cold foods
• Drink beverages slowly
• Avoid activity after eating
• Avoid brushing your teeth after eating
• Choose foods from all the food groups as you can tolerate them to get adequate nutrition

Treatments for Vomiting

If you’ve already gotten ill, the treatments are the same regardless of age or cause:

• Drink gradually larger amounts of clear liquids
• Avoid solid food until the vomiting episode has passed
• Rest
• Temporarily discontinue all oral medications, which can irritate the stomach and make vomiting worse

It is important to note that if vomiting and diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours, you can be at risk for dehydration. Take an oral rehydrating solution to prevent and treat dehydration.

How to Prevent Nausea

Nausea can be prevented by the following:

• Eating small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals
• Eating slowly
• Avoiding hard-to-digest foods
• Consuming foods that are cold or at room temperature to avoid becoming nauseated from the smell of hot or warm foods

If you find you feel nauseated in the mornings, don’t eat something heavy right away. First, eat some crackers before getting out of bed. You can also try eating a high protein snack (lean meat or cheese) before going to bed. Drink liquids between (instead of during) meals, and drink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day to prevent dehydration.

Visit Your Doctor if Necessary

If you find you have regular bouts of nausea and vomiting that aren’t mitigated by the tips above, visit your doctor. At Stellar Health & Wellness you’ll find experienced and caring doctors prepared to help you in any way they can. The professionals at Stellar Health & Wellness are ready to give you the care you need and deserve. Our staff will work in tandem with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your specific symptoms, concerns and lifestyle. If you are ready focus on your wellness, call Stellar Health & Wellness at 503-344-6631.

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