Vomiting reduction: fast, practical ways to reduce nausea

Feeling sick to your stomach is awful. You want relief now and a plan so it doesn’t come back. This page gives real, simple steps to cut nausea and stop vomiting — things you can try at home and what to discuss with your doctor.

Quick at-home fixes

Start with small changes. Sip clear fluids (water, broth, or an oral rehydration drink) in frequent, tiny sips to avoid triggering more upset. Eat bland, dry foods first—plain crackers, toast, or rice—using the BRAT idea (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) until you feel steadier. Avoid greasy, spicy, or strongly scented foods until symptoms pass.

Ginger and peppermint work for many people. Try ginger tea, ginger candies, or a small piece of candied ginger; clinical studies and traditional use both support ginger for mild nausea, including pregnancy nausea. Peppermint tea or sucking on peppermint lozenges can calm the stomach for some people.

Simple body fixes help too: sit upright after eating, breathe slowly, open a window or use a cool cloth on your forehead, and avoid bright lights and strong smells. If motion makes you sick, focus on the horizon, position yourself where movement feels least (front seat, middle of a boat), and try acupressure wristbands (P6 point) — they often reduce motion and postoperative nausea.

Medications and when to ask your doctor

OTC options like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine can help with motion sickness. For stronger or persistent vomiting, doctors may prescribe antiemetics such as ondansetron, metoclopramide, or promethazine. Ondansetron is commonly used after surgery, for chemo-related nausea, and in severe gastroenteritis; it’s shown effective in many trials. Always check with a clinician before starting prescription meds, especially for children, pregnant people, or if you’re on other drugs.

Don’t ignore warning signs. Seek immediate care if vomiting is severe or bloody, if you can’t keep any fluids down for 24 hours, if you have signs of dehydration (dizziness, very low urine output, dry mouth), severe abdominal pain, high fever, or confusion. For pregnant people with persistent vomiting and weight loss, ask about treatment for hyperemesis gravidarum — early help avoids complications.

Prevention matters: identify triggers (foods, smells, motion, certain meds) and avoid them, eat small regular meals rather than large ones, stay hydrated, and treat illnesses early. If you get frequent unexplained vomiting, keep a short log (when it starts, what you ate, other symptoms) and share it with your healthcare provider — that makes diagnosis and treatment faster and more effective.

If you want, we can point you to more detailed guides for specific causes (pregnancy, chemotherapy, motion sickness, gastroenteritis). Tell me which one applies and I’ll give targeted tips.