Vomiting: fast help, smart home care, and clear warning signs
Feeling sick to your stomach and throwing up is awful. It can happen from a bad meal, a bug, pregnancy, or side effects of medicine. Most of the time it clears up in a day or two if you manage fluids and rest. Below you'll find clear steps to feel better and the exact signs that mean you should see a doctor or go to A&E.
Quick causes and red flags
Common causes include food poisoning, gastroenteritis (stomach flu), motion sickness, migraines, pregnancy, and reactions to drugs. Less common but serious issues are bowel obstruction, head injury, or severe infections. Watch for red flags: repeated vomiting that won’t stop, blood in vomit, severe belly pain, high fever, fainting, confusion, or not passing urine for 12+ hours. If any of these happen, get urgent medical help.
Babies, older adults, and people with weak immune systems can dehydrate fast. If an infant is very sleepy, won’t feed, or has dry nappies, call your doctor right away. For older adults, confusion or a sudden drop in urine output is a reason to seek help quickly.
Practical home steps that help
Start by stopping solid food for a few hours and sipping small amounts of clear fluid — water, weak tea, or an oral rehydration mix. Sipping little and often is better than gulping. If you keep fluids down for 6–8 hours, try bland foods: toast, crackers, bananas, rice. Avoid dairy, fatty or spicy meals until you feel fully recovered.
Rest on your side if you feel faint. Cool compresses on the forehead can ease nausea for some people. For motion sickness, sitting still, looking at the horizon, and fresh air help. Ginger — in tea, candied form, or ginger ale with real ginger — can reduce nausea for many people.
Over-the-counter options like dimenhydrinate or meclizine may help nausea from motion sickness. These can make you sleepy and don’t suit everyone. Prescription antiemetics — for example ondansetron or metoclopramide — are sometimes used when vomiting is severe. Don’t take prescription medicines without talking to a pharmacist or doctor, especially if you take other drugs or have heart problems.
If vomiting follows a drug you just started, check the leaflet and call your prescriber. If you suspect food poisoning and symptoms are severe or last more than 48 hours, see a clinician. For pregnancy-related vomiting, contact your midwife or GP early so they can offer safe treatments and support.
Simple checks you can do: count how many times you vomit, note the color (red, green, or black needs urgent care), and watch urine output. Keep a bottle of oral rehydration solution or a recipe (half a teaspoon of salt and six teaspoons of sugar in a liter of clean water) ready at home for emergencies.
If you're unsure, call your local health advice line or book a quick appointment. Vomiting is common, but knowing when to stay home and when to get help keeps things from getting worse.
Diabetic Gastroparesis: How to Cope with Nausea and Vomiting
Diabetic Gastroparesis can be a challenging condition to deal with, as it often causes nausea and vomiting. To cope with these symptoms, I've found that eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day helps prevent overloading my stomach. Additionally, sticking to easily digestible foods and avoiding high-fat or high-fiber options has made a noticeable difference. Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is also essential in managing symptoms. Lastly, consulting with my healthcare provider about medication options has been beneficial in reducing nausea and improving my overall quality of life.