What is Nausea

Nausea is Feeling sick to your stomach, which means that your stomach is upset or you feel like you have to throw up (vomit). Feeling sick to your stomach is usually not serious, but it may be an early sign of a more serious medical problem.

As you feel sicker to your stomach, it can lead to throwing up (vomiting). If you throw up, or if you are not able to drink enough fluids, there is a risk of dehydration.

Dehydration can make you feel tired and thirsty, have a dry mouth, and pee (urinate) less often. Older adults and people who have other diseases or a weak defense (immune) system have a higher risk of dehydration.

The main goal of treating this condition is to:

• Limit how often you feel sick to your stomach.
• Prevent throwing up and dehydration.

Follow these instructions at home:

Follow instructions from your doctor about how to care for yourself at home.

Eating and drinking

Follow these recommendations as told by your doctor:

• Take an oral rehydration solution (ORS). This is a drink that is sold at pharmacies and stores.
• Drink clear fluids in small amounts as you are able, such as:
  • Water.
  • Ice chips.
  • Fruit juice that has water added (diluted fruit juice).
  • Low-calorie sports drinks.
• Eat bland, easy to digest foods in small amounts as you are able, such as:
  • Bananas.
  • Applesauce.
  • Rice.
  • Lean meats.
  • Toast.
  • Crackers.
• Avoid drinking fluids that contain a lot of sugar or caffeine.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Avoid spicy or fatty foods.

General instructions

• Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) clear or pale yellow.
• Wash your hands often. If you cannot use soap and water, use hand sanitizer.
• Make sure that all people in your household wash their hands well and often.
• Rest at home while you get better.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• Breathe slowly and deeply when you feel sick to your stomach.
• Watch your condition for any changes.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• You have a headache.
• You have new symptoms.
• You feel sicker to your stomach.
• You have a fever.
• You feel light-headed or dizzy.
• You throw up.
• You are not able to keep fluids down.

Get help right away if:

• You have pain in your chest, neck, arm, or jaw.
• You feel very weak or you pass out (faint).
• You have throw up that is bright red or looks like coffee grounds.
• You have bloody or black poop (stools), or poop that looks like tar.
• You have a very bad headache, a stiff neck, or both.
• You have very bad pain, cramping, or bloating in your belly.
• You have a rash.
• You have trouble breathing or you are breathing very quickly.
• Your heart is beating very quickly.
• Your skin feels cold and clammy.
• You feel confused.
• You have pain while peeing.
• You have signs of dehydration, such as:
  • Dark pee, or very little or no pee.
  • Cracked lips.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Sunken eyes.
  • Sleepiness.
  • Weakness.

These symptoms may be an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.