Nausea & Vomiting: What’s Wrong?

Nausea and vomiting are extremely unpleasant, but usually not harmful. Common causes include emotional stress or excitement, overeating, certain medications, food poisoning, and motion sickness.

Persistent vomiting may be a sign of a more serious condition and should be evaluated by a doctor.

Signs of Dehydration

If you or your child has been vomiting, watch for signs of dehydration: increased thirst, dry lips or mouth, sunken eyes, and rapid breathing or a quickened heartbeat.

Children have a much higher risk of dehydration than adults. In infants, decreased urination and a soft spot on top of the baby’s head are also red flags.

Treating Dehydration

If vomiting lasts for more than 24 hours or there are signs of dehydration, it's important to replace fluids. Adults can sip a common electrolyte drink; children should be given a specially formulated rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte, Liquilytes, or Ricelyte.

Children under 6 are most at risk for dehydration. They may require a rehydration solution after only a few hours of vomiting.

Liquid Diet

An hour after vomiting has stopped, you can begin a liquid diet. Use only clear liquid, and avoid milk or dairy products. Small amounts of clear chicken broth or diluted apple juice are a good start.

After 24 hours with no vomiting, you can move on to soft foods, such as gelatin and applesauce. The next day, move to bland solid foods, including rice and toast.

Antiemetic Medication

Most of the time nausea and vomiting go away on their own. But for adults and children over age 2, medications called antiemetics can prevent and control vomiting brought on by nausea.

Certain antiemetics help with nausea from viruses, bacteria, and overeating. Others help with motion sickness or nausea from chemotherapy. It's best to check with a doctor before using antiemetics.

Ginger

It may sound like an old wives' tale, but there is evidence that ginger is an effective remedy for nausea. In a study funded by the National Cancer Institute, chemotherapy patients who took as little as ¼ teaspoon of ginger per day experienced significantly less nausea.

Peppermint

Peppermint is another home remedy that may have merit. Peppermint oil appears to relax tightened stomach muscles linked to nausea and vomiting.

Try chewing a piece of peppermint gum or sucking on peppermint-flavored hard candy.

Acupressure

Several studies suggest wrist acupressure can prevent and relieve nausea.

One pressure point thought to help nausea is on the underside of your arm, just below your wrist, (see photo). To find it – use your middle and index finger to measure two fingers width below where your hand meets your arm. Then press right below that, between the two large tendons, with your thumb. Apply moderate pressure for 2 to 3 minutes.

For more WebMD remedies for nausea and vomiting, click "Next."

What About Flat Soda?

Although some people say flat soda settles the stomach, it should not be used for rehydration purposes. Studies show that drinking seltzer or soft drinks, whether flat or not, does not adequately rehydrate the body.

These drinks contain too much sugar and not enough sodium or potassium when compared with traditional oral rehydration solutions.

When to Call the Doctor

Seek immediate medical attention for children or adults if there is blood in the vomit. Or if vomiting is accompanied by a stiff neck, severe headache, confusion, or high fever.

Children under 6 should see the doctor if vomiting lasts for more than a few hours.

Adults should call a doctor if vomiting persists for more than 24 hours or if there's a chance they may be pregnant.