Feeling like you’ll be sick is awful and fast. Vomiting is your body's way of pushing out something it thinks is harmful — from a stomach bug to a bad reaction to medicine. Most times it ends on its own, but knowing quick steps to feel better and when to seek care matters.
Common causes are easy to spot: viral stomach bugs, food poisoning, motion sickness, migraines, pregnancy (morning sickness), alcohol overuse, and side effects from medicines. Less common but serious causes include bowel obstruction, severe infections, or conditions that affect the brain. Think about timing — did you eat something odd, start a new drug, or spend hours on a rough boat?
Start slow. After vomiting, rest and wait 10–20 minutes before trying fluids. Sip small amounts: a tablespoon every few minutes, then slowly increase. Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are best because they replace salt and sugar your body loses. If you don’t have ORS, try clear broth, weak tea, or a sports drink diluted half-and-half with water.
Avoid solid food until vomiting has stopped for several hours. When you do eat, pick bland items: toast, banana, rice, or applesauce. Move slowly back to your normal diet. Over-the-counter options like antacids can help if acid reflux is the trigger, but don’t mix medicines without checking with a pharmacist or doctor.
Get medical help if vomiting is severe, lasts more than 24–48 hours, or you can’t keep any fluids down. Also seek care for high fever, bloody or green vomit, severe belly pain, signs of dehydration (very little urine, dry mouth, dizziness), fainting, or confusion. Babies, older adults, and people with serious health problems should be evaluated sooner.
Doctors may prescribe antiemetic medicines to stop persistent vomiting. Ondansetron (often called Zofran) is commonly used in emergency settings and for chemotherapy-related nausea. Other options exist but need a clinician to pick the right one for your age and health. In some cases, IV fluids are given to treat dehydration quickly.
For pregnant people with severe nausea and vomiting, ask your OB/GYN early. Treatments differ in pregnancy, and severe cases may need specialized care. If food poisoning is likely, rest and fluids usually do the trick, but bacterial infections sometimes require antibiotics.
Quick recap: sip fluids slowly, use ORS if you can, rest, and watch for red flags. If vomiting won’t stop, you’re dehydrating, or you see blood, call your healthcare provider or go to the ER. Short-term vomiting is common and usually manageable at home, but don't wait if things feel serious or your child or elderly loved one is involved.
As a pregnant woman, I know that unexpected bouts of vomiting can happen anytime, anywhere. So, I've put together a handy vomiting during pregnancy emergency kit to help manage these situations. This kit includes items like disposable bags, wet wipes, and a change of clothes. I also recommend carrying some water and ginger candies to stay hydrated and soothe the stomach afterwards. With this kit, I can feel more prepared and less stressed whenever nausea strikes during pregnancy.
Health and Wellness