Feeling nauseous is a very distressing experience indeed. Worse even, when it leads to vomiting. Excessive vomiting hurts your throat, and leaves you feeling weak and dehydrated. Follow these tips to curtail the nauseous feeling that induces vomiting.
Vomiting may be caused by different reasons that include unhealthy eating habits, indigestion, medicinal side effects, motion sickness, pregnancy, consumption of alcohol, etc. Recurrent vomiting is certainly harsh on the body, as it can completely dehydrate a person, make him/her weak, and cause pain in the abdomen and stomach.
In young children, vomiting may be a result of an infection, overfeeding, indigestion, lactose intolerance or cough. These reasons can also cause adults to throw up, along with other causes like ulcers, bulimia, poisoning, binge eating, alcohol abuse, bacterial infections like salmonella, and even pregnancy.
Vomiting, in several instances, is inevitable – in some, it is the body’s natural response to food poisoning or gastritis, when the offending contents consumed are forcefully ejected through the mouth and even the nose.
An isolated incident of vomiting may not be considered a very serious condition, but recurring episodes indicate the presence of a grave illness that cannot be ignored.
It is important to note that excessive vomiting can lead to severe dehydration. It may also cause the esophagus to rupture, a serious emergency that takes the patient straight into surgery.
Frequent bouts of vomiting in pregnant women may be caused by a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum, where the woman has fluid and mineral imbalances that can prove fatal for her or the unborn child.
Tips to Control Vomiting
If you are continuously feeling nauseous, then you should sit or stand at one place, and avoid moving. Movement and exertion can worsen the feeling of nausea and cause vomiting.
In between bouts of vomiting, it is important that you avoid any kind of solid food as you will not be able to digest it anyway. Instead, you should sip lukewarm water from time to time. You may also try to have an energy drink, if it suits you.
An effective home remedy is to sip on a mixture of a teaspoon each of mint juice, ginger juice, lemon juice and honey.
As far as medicine is concerned, ginger tablets may help. Doctors will prescribe medication to patients suffering from chronic vomiting.
Preventive Measures
Control Motion Sickness
Several people suffer from motion sickness, a primary symptom of which is vomiting. If a person suffers from motion sickness, he/she needs to take appropriate measures while traveling. These include taking medication to control nausea or avoiding solid food until the urge to vomit subsides. Being hydrated is also necessary.
Deal With Morning Sickness
Pregnant women experiencing morning sickness, are advised to refrain from getting out of bed as soon as they wake up, as this can trigger a nauseous feeling. They should ideally lie in bed for sometime and allow the urge to pass over. Eating a couple of wheat crackers before getting out of bed can prove helpful to get over nausea.
Go Easy on the Stomach
Completely refrain from overeating, and follow a fixed time schedule for all meals. Always consume food that is easy to digest, at least until you get back to normal. Eat slowly and ensure that your food is chewed properly.
Identify the Triggers
The best and the simplest method to control the occurrence of vomiting is to identify the trigger and stay away from it. Strictly stay away from everything that makes you nauseous, be it your favorite snack, or even your favorite perfume.
Always be Hydrated
It is necessary to drink a minimum of eight glasses of water everyday to avoid dehydration. Consuming fruit juices is a good idea, but avoid fruits that are too acidic in nature, for instance, grapefruit or orange.
Help Digestion
Do not lie down immediately after a meal. Sit upright, and allow your meal to be digested. If possible, take a short walk after every meal.
The tips mentioned here are sure to prove quite useful in preventing, controlling, and minimizing the effects of vomiting. However, if the vomiting bouts persist for more than a day in adults, and for more than half a day in children, it is a cause for worry.
If it is accompanied by severe dehydration, sunken eyes, rapid heartbeat and high fever, the person should be taken to a doctor immediately.
Disclaimer: The information provided is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to substitute the advice of a medical expert.
