Nausea can strike for many different reasons. Sometimes it’s the result of a virus, sometimes it’s related to pregnancy, sometimes it’s even a side effect of anxiety.
That said, while nausea may have numerous potential causes, it’s always something you’d rather not have to put up with. Luckily, you don’t have to. While it is important to consult with a physician if you’re experiencing severe nausea, there are also plenty of remedies you can try at home to ease your stomach.
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If you’ve been nauseated for far too long, give the following a try:
7 Simple Anti-Nausea Hacks
Although it may be necessary to treat your nausea with medication, if it isn’t particularly severe, you might be able to relieve it via extremely simple means.
You don’t need any special products or tools to attempt these methods. Fortunately, they’re often very effective.
Drink More Fluids
Nausea causes vomiting, which causes dehydration, which causes even more nausea. That’s why it’s important to drink fluids regularly throughout the day.
Just make sure you’re sipping them. If you drink too quickly, you could upset your stomach even more by making yourself feel too full.
Sit
Although the temptation to lie down when you’re nauseated may be strong, this is actually unlikely to help you experience any relief. In fact, it can even make your problems worse. When you’re in this position, gastric juices rise up, increasing your nausea.
On the other hand, sitting up too straight may crunch your stomach, which adds to overall tension in the area. For the best possible relief, try sitting in a reclined position. If you have a recliner chair, using it is ideal, but if not, try positioning several pillows behind your back.
Stretch
Many people often experience nausea when an episode of back pain strikes. If you’re one of them, try the following stretching exercise: Lie down on a comfortable surface as if you were about to attempt a pushup.
However, don’t lift up your entire torso or mid-section. Instead, simply arch your back so that you’re lifting your upper body. Don’t force yourself to stretch too far, or you could do more harm than good.
Remain in this position for as long as you’re comfortable, then relax and return to your original position. Repeat as needed. Stretching out the muscles can relieve tension, which relieves pain, which relieves nausea.
Get Fresh Air
Although no one is entirely sure why just yet, many people who suffer from nausea experience relief the moment they open a window or step outside. In some instances, it may be because an odor is triggering their discomfort, and the fresh air helps to limit the smell.
Even if your stomach problems aren’t related to any odors, this method is so simple that it’s worth your time to try it. Of course, don’t spend too much time outdoors if you’re sick, as you could expose yourself to bacteria or other triggers that may worsen your condition.
Avoid Carbonation
Although it is important to stay hydrated throughout the day when you’re nauseated, it’s also important to drink the right fluids. Carbonated beverages, like soda, will just make your nausea worse. So will alcohol and coffee. Stick to water, tea, or carbonated drinks that have gone flat.
Distract Yourself
People who practice mindfulness meditation are often able to distance themselves from numerous uncomfortable maladies, including chronic pain.
To some degree, this method is effective because it involves observing the discomfort without judgment. By not judging an experience as either good or bad, they can reduce their stress, which might otherwise exacerbate the problem.
While taking up mindfulness meditation may be a smart idea if you frequently experience nausea, in the middle of an episode, all you want is quick relief. Trying to meditate when you have never done so can be difficult.
You can still reap some of the benefits, though. People who relieve discomfort through meditation also benefit from shifting their focus to something else. This approach can also help with nausea. Read a book, watch your favorite TV show, or do anything else that can help you feel less aware of your stomach issues.
Use a Cool Compress
Applying a cool compress—or ice pack, or washcloth soaked in cold water—to the back of your neck is a simple but effective way to reduce mild nausea. This is especially helpful if you’ve been vomiting or if you have a high fever. Excessive sweating can make you even more nauseated than you already were. The cold temperature restores your body to a more comfortable state. It’s also helpful as a distraction. As with the method listed above, applying a cold compress will allow you to focus on something other than your stomach for a short period of time.
6 Effective Natural Remedies
Herbs and essential oils aren’t just for “natural health” practitioners who believe you can cure whatever ails you with the right tea or fragrance.
Despite their reputation, these remedies are often extremely effective, especially when used to treat nausea. They’re also generally less expensive than most medications.
Try the following during your next episode, and see if they work for you:
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is easy to track down at most grocery stores, and is a well-known sedative. Drinking it can help your body relax, which is essential, as tension often makes nausea worse.
It’s also been known to ease anxiety. If your nausea is the result of anxiety, drinking chamomile tea will help you calm down.
Lemon Water
Compounds within lemons help to stimulate digestion. Adding a few drops of lemon juice to your water will often cure an upset stomach. If you’re also experiencing constipation, make sure the water is relatively warm. This will loosen the bowls, helping you to go to the bathroom more easily.
Ginger
Ginger is incredibly useful for people suffering from prolonged nausea. That’s because it helps the body secrete digestive enzymes, and it relaxes tense stomach tissues. Best of all, you can consume it in whatever way is preferable to you.
Ideally, you should drink ginger tea, but if you can’t find any, or if you’re simply not a fan of that flavor, you can also get similar benefits from drinking ginger ale. Just make sure you let the ginger ale go flat first before drinking it. Carbonated beverages can often make nausea worse than it already is.
Peppermint Tea
Again, if you don’t like the taste of ginger tea, you don’t have to drink it to ease your stomach. That said, if you’re not comfortable drinking soda, which could make your discomfort worse if it’s not flat enough, you might want an option without any ginger in it. If so, try peppermint tea instead.
While peppermint tea does have a stimulating effect, making it less-than-ideal if you’re also trying to get some rest, it’s yet another natural remedy for easing nausea. Like chamomile tea, it’s very easy to find at grocery stores.
You might also consider purchasing peppermint essential oil and placing a few drops on your neck or pillow. This is a smart idea if you’re trying to create an environment that helps to ease your stomach problems.
Vitamin B-6
Vitamin B-6 is an essential component of any healthy diet, and is particularly useful at easing nausea in women suffering from morning sickness.
That said, you need to make sure you’re consuming the recommended amount, and no more, as too much B-6 can have the opposite of your intended effect, making your nausea worse instead of better.
Acupressure
Like acupuncture, acupressure involves applying pressure to essential points on the body to stimulate its natural healing mechanisms. Luckily, you don’t even need to leave your home to benefit from acupressure for nausea. You can treat yourself.
The acupressure point that’s most effective at relieving stomach discomfort is located on the wrist, approximately two inches below the hand in the space between two large tendons. Apply pressure to this area with one of your fingers, moving in a slow circular motion for a few minutes. Soon, you may start to feel your nausea diminishing.
Of course, you should be careful to avoid applying too much pressure, as doing so can be uncomfortable, and isn’t necessary anyway.
3 Useful Medical Remedies
If natural remedies haven’t worked yet, it may be time to consider medication. Again, it’s a good idea to see your doctor if your nausea is severe, prolonged, or if you’re not sure what the cause is. That said, there are also over-the-counter products you can try first if you’re not able to make an appointment just yet.
OTC Nausea Medication
Head to your local drug store and ask the pharmacist to direct you to their antiemetics, or anti-nausea medications. Options include Dramamine, Pepto-Bismol, and Emetrol, all of which are available over-the-counter. However, if you’re pregnant, speak with your doctor first before using any of these products.
Cannabidiol Oil
CBD oil is derived from cannabis, but it doesn’t contain any THC, the component which alters the mental state of cannabis users. However, it isn’t legal everywhere yet, and unless you live in a region where cannabis for recreational use is legal, you’ll probably need a prescription for it.
Those who have used it for nausea find that it’s a very effective remedy. Ask your doctor if this is a viable option for you, especially if you’re constantly suffering from bouts of nausea.
A doctor may be reluctant to prescribe it if you’re only suffering from temporary nausea related to a virus, but if you have a condition which results in frequent stomach discomfort, they might be willing to let you try it.
Prescriptions
Depending on your needs, a doctor may prescribe other medications designed to combat nausea, like Ondansetron or Phenergan.
Although not all patients need prescription medication to combat nausea—especially if they don’t typically have stomach problems—there are patients whose conditions require more involved treatment.
Final Points
Nausea is a very uncomfortable symptom, and unfortunately, it can sometimes be difficult to tell what causes it. However, when you’re nauseated, it’s still important to eat and drink, especially if you’ve been vomiting.
Eating when your stomach is bothering you may not seem like an appealing thought. On top of that, most doctors discourage patients from eating the types of foods that might aggravate their symptoms, like heavily-spiced or greasy meals.
Instead, stick to a very plain diet while you recover. Saltine crackers or plain noodles are best. Soup is also an option, as long as it doesn’t contain too many ingredients. While these types of meals certainly aren’t going to do much for your taste buds, they’ll allow you to maintain healthy energy levels while you’re sick.
Monitor your condition during any episode of nausea. See a doctor if you’re suffering from a high fever that won’t diminish. It’s also important to consult with a physician if your nausea is accompanied by abdominal pain or cramping. This could be an indication of anything from food poisoning to a digestive disorder.
If your doctor isn’t currently available, head to the emergency room or an urgent care clinic. Sometimes pain and nausea together are symptoms of a condition which requires surgery to treat.
Remember, nausea has a tendency to bring about episode of dehydration. Being dehydrated is yet another reason to seek medical attention. Contact a doctor if you have symptoms like dark urine, dry mouth, dizziness, extreme thirst, infrequent urination, or a general feeling of weakness.
In the meantime, do your best to consume fluids throughout the day, even if doing so is a struggle at times. Even if your nausea isn’t related to a serious medical condition, it can lead to serious medical consequences if you allow yourself to become dehydrated.
Most people who suffer from nausea don’t have anything to worry about except how they’re going to relieve their discomfort. The remedies listed here can help ease your stomach quickly and reliably. If they don’t work, and your nausea continues to return, it may be time to see a specialist.