Nausea And Vomiting Care And Treatment To Soothe Your Tummy

Nausea and vomiting are highly unpleasant experiences, but they happen to the best of us for a multitude of reasons, including food poisoning, motion sickness, gastroenteritis (stomach flu), or food allergies. Often, there’s no way to stop vomiting when the body wants to – it is one way by which our bodies eliminate toxins and contaminants. In other cases, nausea and vomiting symptoms may also be caused by anxiety and stress.

However, once the initial bout of vomiting stops, you might be looking for ways to ease nausea, prevent further rounds of vomiting, and regain your energy. For that, here are some suggestions on things you can do to find relief from nausea and vomiting.

Recommended diet

One common issue during vomiting episodes is a loss of appetite. Even if one manages to eat, the body may find it hard to keep the food down. Yet, getting adequate nutrition during this time is crucial, especially when the body is expelling food more quickly than the nutrients can be absorbed. Keeping to these foods may help you gain the nutrients you need when feeling ill:

  • Bland foods

Bland foods like plain biscuits, saltine crackers, and toast are your go-to foods when suffering from vomiting. The bland taste is less likely to put off your appetite, and tend to be more agreeable to the tummy.

  • Ice chips

Sucking on ice chips is a good way to keep your fluids intake in check without drinking too much at once. Consuming too much fluids at one go can trigger more vomiting. Keeping hydrated is crucial to prevent dehydration, especially when your body is expelling liquids during vomiting.

  • Electrolyte drinks

Sports drinks are a great solution for replenishing salts and fluids in the body when you can’t keep other foods down. Like with ice chips, make sure to consume it slowly, such as by taking a sip every few minutes.

  • Herbal tea

Some types of herbs have been found to provide relief for nausea and calm the digestive system. These include ginger, fennel, mint and clove, and you can make them from fresh herbs or using sachets. The warmth and aroma of the teas also provide a relaxing effect which eases one’s mood.

  • Avoid greasy, fried, and spicy foods

Generally, you’ll want to abstain from heavy and strong-tasting foods, as they are often laden with fats, which is difficult to digest and take a toll on your already-compromised digestive system. Spicy foods also aggravate the gastrointestinal tract, so it is a good idea to avoid it for now.

Remedies for nausea

Apart from keeping your diet in check, you can also find relief for nausea with some simple home remedies.

  • Deep breathing

Not only is deep breathing wonderful for keeping anxiety at bay, but it can also relief gastrointestinal symptoms. Taking deep, controlled breaths is especially useful for keeping motion sickness in check, as it activates the parasympathetic nervous system.

The correct way to perform deep breathing is by breathing slowly through your nose, and feeling your abdomen expand. Hold your breath for a few seconds, before exhaling slowly and relaxing your diaphragm.

  • Acupressure therapy

Popular in Chinese traditional medicine, acupressure massages are thought of as quick and easy ways to relieve common ailments. One point for relieving nausea is located on the wrist.

The point is roughly three finger-widths below the wrist. Placing your thumb at this point on your inner wrist, you should feel two tendons running along your arm. Apply firm pressure with your thumb and move it in a circular motion for 2-3 minutes, and repeat on the other hand.

  • Aromatherapy

Certain smells offer much-needed relief from nausea. Although studies disagree on the effectiveness of this, there is no harm in trying out this simple remedy – all the better if it works for you!

Some scents that have been known to ease nausea are citrus fruits, lavender, chamomile, rose, and peppermint. You can put some essential oils, fresh fruits, or dried herbs in the room to allow the scent to diffuse.

Conclusion

No one likes to prolong the experience of vomiting, so these tips are your key to getting through it as quickly and comfortably as possible. In most cases, vomiting is a minor ailment that recovers within a day. However, if you are experiencing persistent or frequent vomiting episodes, it may signal other underlying conditions. Do consult a health professional to get to the bottom of your symptoms.

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