The complete guide on how to stop vomiting outlines why it occurs and how to treat vomiting in children, in pregnancy and when you are ill. We cover several methods for how to stop throwing up, including several home remedies.
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Vomiting is a symptom that can have many causes. The stomach or esophagus is emptied. Vomiting is a natural reflex, but it is of course better to avoid it if you know how to stop vomiting — and to treat nausea before it becomes vomiting.
How to stop vomiting: Summary of contents
- Vomiting can be a mostly harmless symptom, but it can also be an indication of a serious illness.
- There are several causes of vomiting.
- Vomiting is a natural reflex.
- Children vomit more often than adults.
- How to treat children vomiting.
- When should you take a child to the doctor for vomiting?
- Ways to treat nausea before it becomes vomiting
- Home remedies for how to not throw up.
What is vomiting?
Vomiting can be harmless, but it can also indicate a serious illness. It is not a disease in its own right, but a symptom of various diseases. Vomiting is basically a protective reaction of the body through which it wants to get rid of harmful substances – e.g. spoiled food. Vomiting leads to a sudden, usually involuntary emptying of the stomach or esophagus through the mouth. Vomiting can appear as the only symptom or in combination with other symptoms such as fever, pain or diarrhea.
Why do you vomit?
Vomiting is controlled by the vomiting center in the brain. If this is slightly stimulated, nausea occurs; if it is activated more, vomiting occurs. The triggers can be harmless, but also dangerous. The following causes can lead to vomiting:
- disgust
- strong pain
- Gastrointestinal infections
- Drop in blood pressure or shock
- Increase in intracranial pressure
- Medication (e.g. chemotherapy)
- Toxins (e.g. alcohol)
- Disturbance of the balance organ in the inner ear (motion sickness or seasickness)
- Intestinal obstruction
- Disturbance of the acid-base balance (hyperacidity)
- pregnancy
What symptoms can you experience when vomiting?
Vomiting can be accompanied by symptoms such as:
- Sensation of pressure in the upper abdomen
- Diarrhea,
- Bloating
- Eructation
- dizziness
- Abdominal cramps
- Loss of appetite
- Fever or
- Headache.
Vomiting after driving a car or as part of a gastrointestinal flu does not necessarily require treatment. In the following cases, however, a detailed clarification by a doctor is advisable:
- Persistent, repeated, or frequent vomiting for no apparent cause.
- Vomiting with excessive weight loss or failure to gain weight in infants.
- frequent vomiting after eating.
- in combination with severe abdominal pain.
- vomiting blood (call an emergency doctor!).
- in the case of vomiting (call an emergency doctor!).
- if poisoning is suspected (call an emergency doctor!).
- after a head injury.
- in combination with a severe headache.
- in combination with stool behavior
Vomiting during pregnancy
Morning sickness and vomiting can occur again and again during pregnancy. Doctors speak of nausea or vomiting during pregnancy. Both are not pathological. If pregnant women vomit more than five times during the day, it can be severe vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum). This disease is not uncommon and needs treatment.
Many pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting. Vomiting usually subsides after the first three months of pregnancy. Some pregnant women often suffer very badly from vomiting. In most cases, vomiting is natural during pregnancy, and with plenty of drinking and a balanced diet, it is not a cause for concern.
But if a woman vomits very often, she can suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum. This type of vomiting is very dangerous for both mother and child. Hyperemesis Gravidarum manifests itself in the fact that the pregnant woman vomits more than 3-5 times a day. She is constantly losing weight, and her vomit may contain blood or look like coffee grounds. She also loses a lot more fluid than she can hold on to.
How to avoid heartburn during pregnancy
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Just two percent of all pregnant women suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum. The reasons for the frequent vomiting during pregnancy are still unclear. However, it is believed that the reason could be a stomach infection with Helicobacter pylori. An excessively high level of estrogen or if the woman reacts very sensitively to the hormone hCG, which is only released during pregnancy, are also mentioned as triggers. Often many pregnant women also have a high level of tyroxine (thyroid hormone) at the time. Which is why some researchers are researching a connection between hCG, the high level of tryoxin, and a disorder in the placenta. Therefore, the following reason for frequent pregnancy vomiting would result: If the uterus is insufficiently oxygenated in early pregnancy, the female body will produce much more hCG, causing the pregnant woman to vomit very heavily. If the expectant mother has a very high tryoxin level or if her body overreacts due to the pregnancy, hyperemesis gravidarum can also occur.
Dangers of frequent vomiting during pregnancy
Frequent vomiting causes women to lose fluids during pregnancy, which can lead to dehydration. This in turn causes high blood pressure, a racing heart, kidney problems and thrombosis. It can also tear the esophagus or damage the nervous system. If the woman suffers from frequent vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum) even after the first trimester of pregnancy, the risk of preeclampsia may increase. In addition, if the blood becomes acidic due to inadequate nutrition and it is not treated in time, this can even be dangerous for the baby.
Hyperemesis Gravidarum is treated with infusions to keep the risk low. As a result, the baby may come earlier than expected or easier, but no consequences for the newborn have been identified. Despite this, pregnant women who vomit frequently are observed very carefully by their gynecologist. Not only blood pressure measurements, but also Doppler ultrasound are used. This ensures that the baby continues to develop undisturbed.
Home remedies to stop vomiting in pregnancy
Ginger helps many women against both nausea and vomiting. It can be taken several times a day as capsules (4 x 250 mg daily) or as a syrup (4 x 1 tablespoon daily). However, ginger can hit the stomach and cause heartburn. However, since it has no effect on the baby and most expectant mothers tolerate it very well, doctors repeatedly suggest ginger with vitamin B6 as a treatment. If it is normal vomiting, it also helps to change your eating habits.
Instead of large meals, it is better to eat many small snacks that are high in carbohydrates. However, you should pay attention to fatty and low-protein foods and limit your intake. Drink a lot because you lose a lot of fluids when you vomit. Still drinks and especially peppermint and chamomile tea will calm your stomach. Often a warm chicken broth can give strength and satiate until the nausea has passed.
What helps with vomiting during pregnancy?
Some women who experience vomiting during pregnancy also resort to acupressure or acupuncture. Yoga or Shiatsu can also alleviate the symptoms. But make sure that the provider has knowledge of pregnant women and have certificates shown to you. You can also ask your midwife. Most midwives offer a variety of services to help alleviate pregnancy symptoms.
How to stop vomiting in children
Children vomit more often than adults. This is because the interaction between the stomach and the vomiting control is not fully developed. Vomiting in children is usually harmless, but for the child’s comfort it is good to know how to stop vomiting.
Small and younger school children in particular vomit much more often than older children. The causes are often quite harmless: the child has eaten too much confused food, drank a drink that is too cold or upset its stomach with bad food. An exciting experience can also be the trigger. If the child also has a fever, cough or runny nose, an infectious disease is often the cause.
If the child’s vomiting is accompanied by fever and diarrhea, it is usually a gastrointestinal infection. If there is also severe pain in the lower abdomen, there may also be more serious causes, such as appendicitis, an intestinal obstruction or others. If an infant vomits in a torrent within the first three months of life shortly after the meal and does not thrive properly, it is not uncommon for the stomach outlet to be narrowed (pyloric stenosis).
Why can vomiting in children be dangerous?
As with diarrhea, when a child vomits, they lose water and important minerals such as sodium and potassium. If the child vomits frequently, the child’s body can dry out very quickly. Infants in particular are at risk of dehydration after a short time. The typical symptoms of impending dehydration are dry mouth, white skin, drowsiness, and deep breathing through the mouth. In addition, little urine is excreted.
When should a pediatrician be visited or called?
A pediatrician should be consulted or called if:
- the child vomits after a fall or accident
- a child vomits repeatedly even after six hours
- additionally fever and / or diarrhea occur
- the child strong abdominal pain has
- the child is apathetic
What to do if the child vomits
- If a child vomits while lying down, you should immediately turn them face down.
- Parents should put their hand or a cool washcloth on the child’s forehead, this will take away the child’s dizziness and nausea.
- So that the bad taste in the mouth disappears, you should rinse the child’s mouth (e.g. with water or tea).
Since the stomach is irritated, the child should not eat any food (at most dry rusks or pretzel sticks) for the next few hours. However, the child should drink a lot! However, if the child keeps vomiting and there are stomach pain or other symptoms, you should consult a doctor.
Vomiting after eating
If you vomit while eating or shortly afterwards, there may be physiological causes behind it. Ulcers near the gastric gate, food poisoning, a narrowing of the stomach outlet or a blockage in the small intestine can also lead to vomiting during or after eating.
Vomiting without nausea
Sudden vomiting without previous nausea can be an indication of an increase in intracranial pressure. It is a medical emergency.
Vomiting and diarrhea
If vomiting occurs in combination with diarrhea, it is often a gastrointestinal illness such as gastrointestinal flu, gastritis or food poisoning.
How does the doctor make a diagnosis?
The first point of contact if you are sick is your general practitioner. The following questions are important:
- How long have you been vomiting?
- How often do you vomit?
- What is vomiting? (clear liquid, leftover food, …)
- Do you feel sick before vomiting?
After taking a detailed medical history, the doctor will order further examinations or refer you to a specialist. Blood tests, x-rays, ultrasound, gastroscopy and colonoscopy can be used as further tests.
How to stop vomiting
How is vomiting treated?
The focus for how to stop vomiting is on treating the cause. Attention: Vomiting can lead to a lack of fluids or minerals! You should therefore always ensure that you are drinking enough fluids. In severe cases, the doctor may prescribe fluid infusions to the patient. If necessary, the doctor can also prescribe anti-nausea medication.
What can I do about vomiting ?
- Avoid food that is difficult to digest and use light foods.
- You should avoid alcohol, caffeine, raw vegetables, foods that are difficult to digest and hot spices.
- Make sure you are drinking enough fluids.
- Ginger can help against nausea and nausea.
- Peppermint and chamomile tea have a calming effect.
How to stop vomiting: home remedies for nausea
Classic nausea remedies: peppermint, chamomile and fennel
Actually it always applies, but especially for how to stop vomiting when something is wrong with the body, the following applies: drink a lot! A warm tea calms the stomach – preferably unsweetened herbal tea. The essential oils soothe the stomach and regulate digestion. If it is also peppermint: all the better. Because mint has an antispasmodic effect and brings the tense situation in the stomach back into balance.
A few drops of mint oil in lukewarm water also help against nausea. But be careful: this is not for everyone – and the minty feeling in the throat definitely takes getting used to.
Chamomile also has a calming effect on the digestive tract, especially on the stomach lining. If the nausea has a bacterial cause, the medicinal plant even has a double effect because it has an antibacterial effect.
Neither peppermint nor chamomile tea in the house? Fennel has a similar calming effect due to its essential oils. It works best in combination with aniseed and caraway seeds as a digestive tea.
Important: First drink carefully: small sips do not burden the stomach too much. Little by little you can gently add the helping fluid to your body. Drinking is probably the simplest home remedy for nausea. Even if you “only” drink water, make sure you take small sips – and no carbon dioxide! This inflates the stomach and quickly increases the bad feeling.
Ginger: great tuber
If you have fresh ginger at home, you can cut a 1 cm piece of it and pour hot water over it. Tip: Add a few more leaves of fresh mint and the anti-nausea drink is perfect. Sweetening with honey is allowed. You should avoid sugar.
Ginger has an antibacterial effect and calms the stomach, making it valuable in how to stop vomiting. Pregnant women should avoid too much ginger, because it stimulates the blood circulation – and can cause contractions.
Carrot mash or grated apples
Do you still have carrots at home? Great – even if you don’t feel like eating, carrot mash or carrot soup can help. Because the vegetables have a lot of fiber that can bind toxins. Fiber is also helpful as a proper diet for irritable bowel syndrome. Just don’t season too much – preferably not at all! Try carrot soup, for example – as a home remedy, it also helps with diarrhea. As an alternative, you can also prepare mashed potatoes – but again please unseasoned.
Grated apples have a similar effect as a home remedy for nausea from grandmother’s time. It is best to rub and then let it brown slightly. The apple wedges bind toxins in the digestive tract and are easy to digest.
The good old gruel: calms the stomach flora
Nowadays, gruel or porridge, which was so often spurned at the time, has long since become socially acceptable again. If the porridge is mixed with water, it can calm the stomach and stimulate digestion. As a home remedy for nausea, here too: please do not add sugar – at most with a little honey. And if possible, you should avoid milk if you are sick. Like carbon dioxide, they can over-acidify the stomach and also contribute to nausea.
But it’s best to use the tender oat flakes. They are easier to digest than the hearty ones. A delicious, regular oatmeal breakfast is also healthy and can also prevent, as it fills you up and keeps the digestive tract going.
Rusks and banana mash: get something in your stomach
Easily digestible food does not help directly against nausea, but it can at least calm the stomach by giving it a task: rusks or white bread are excellent.
Banana porridge also brings something to the stomach without putting too much strain on it – and the banana also gives the body vitamins and minerals on the way.
Warm broth: wholesome light food
Anyone who already suffers from vomiting or diarrhea or who has exaggerated with alcohol the day before should add electrolytes to their body. This is very easy at home with a light vegetable or chicken broth. But it shouldn’t have too much fat, otherwise it will be heavy in the stomach.
Nausea broth is best if you make it yourself (or have it made). Because too often there are hidden sugars or other additives in ready-made soups that can burden digestion. You can cook a little broth in reserve. It can be frozen wonderfully and quickly thawed in an emergency and – not too hot – sipped in small sips.
Lemon juice brings relief
Fresh lemon juice also helps – or you can suck a freshly cut slice of lemon. The vitamin C is also good for you.
Chewing gum: unconventional but effective
If you get sick along the way, try a piece of gum. It doesn’t have to have a peppermint flavor – even though we’ve already found out that the refreshing plant can help against nausea. However, it stimulates the production of saliva and thus digestion – and also distracts from the nausea through the chewing movement.
Exercise and fresh air are good
Additional home remedy for nausea: Get out in the fresh air. This gets the circulation going and blows oxygen through the lungs. Taking a deep breath can work wonders. Hopefully, if you can then take a few more careful steps, you will soon feel really good again.
You should avoid these:
We have already mentioned milk and carbon dioxide. In acute cases, you should also not consume flatulent foods such as cabbage or peas. And it is actually clear and you probably don’t feel like it at all: Don’t drink alcohol and leave your cigarette off.
Instead, you should take a break now if possible. A bed or sofa as well as a hot water bottle and a bit of time can work wonders and the home remedies for nausea can also support their effect.
Watch your nausea though. Doesn’t the malaise stop? Then you should consult a doctor. The causes can be harmless and go away on their own, as is usually the case after a few too many glasses the night before. But diseases such as gastric mucosal inflammation, sunstroke or heat stroke, appendicitis or kidney failure can also be the cause. Sudden nausea can also indicate a heart attack or a stroke. And then quick action is required. For example, pay attention to typical symptoms of a stroke .
Also, watch your diet. For example, even a healthy diet can make you feel bloated – and that can cause discomfort and nausea.
