Nausea relief: quick, practical steps that actually help
Nausea can strike out of nowhere — in the car, after a meal, or during pregnancy. You don’t need fancy treatments to feel better. Try simple moves first that calm your stomach and reduce the urge to vomit.
Quick at-home fixes you can try now
Sip clear fluids slowly. Small sips of water, clear broth, or an oral rehydration drink every few minutes keep you from getting dehydrated and ease queasiness. Cold drinks often feel better than warm ones.
Choose bland, easy-to-digest foods. The BRAT approach (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) works when you can eat. Eat tiny portions and wait 30–60 minutes before trying more.
Ginger and peppermint can help. Ginger tea, candied ginger, or 250–1000 mg ginger capsules are common options. Peppermint tea or sucking on peppermint candy calms the stomach for many people. Try one at a time to see what works for you.
Use acupressure. Pressing the P6 point (on the inner wrist, about two finger-widths down from the base of the palm) or wearing a P6 wristband (Sea-Band) often reduces motion sickness and pregnancy nausea for some people.
Fresh air and stable focus help with motion-triggered nausea. Sit where motion is minimal (front seat, over the wing on a plane), face forward, and focus on the horizon. Avoid reading or screens during travel.
Lie still and relax. Lying on your back with your head slightly elevated or sitting in a cool, quiet room can stop nausea from escalating. A cool compress on the forehead or the back of the neck also helps.
Over-the-counter and prescription options — what to know
OTC choices include antihistamines like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine (Bonine) for motion sickness. Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) can calm upset stomachs and mild diarrhea. Always follow label directions and check interactions with other meds.
Prescription antiemetics such as ondansetron (Zofran) or promethazine may be used for stronger nausea from surgery, chemo, or severe cases in pregnancy. Talk to your provider before starting prescription meds, especially if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
For pregnancy-related nausea, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) alone or with doxylamine is often suggested by doctors. Don’t start supplements or prescription drugs without medical advice when pregnant.
When to see a doctor: if nausea lasts more than 48 hours, you can’t keep liquids down, you’re showing signs of dehydration, you have severe abdominal pain, bloody vomit, high fever, or if pregnancy nausea is severe. Those are signs a clinician should evaluate right away.
Small steps can make a big difference. Try one or two home methods first, keep hydration steady, and call your provider if symptoms get worse or you’re unsure which option is safe for you.
7 Alternatives to Ondansetron: Smarter Choices for Nausea Relief
Feeling queasy and ondansetron isn't working for you? There are several solid alternatives that target nausea from different angles. This article breaks down seven specific options, each with its own upsides and drawbacks. You'll learn how these drugs work, why they might fit your situation, and what to watch out for in terms of side effects. Making an informed switch is a lot easier when you can compare them side by side.
21.04.25
Alistair Mukondiwa
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