Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and Vomiting

Feeling sick to your stomach (nausea) means that your stomach is upset or you feel like you have to throw up (vomit). Feeling more and more sick to your stomach can lead to throwing up.

Throwing up happens when food and liquid from your stomach are thrown up and out the mouth. Throwing up can make you feel weak and cause you to get dehydrated.

Dehydration can make you tired and thirsty, make you have a dry mouth, and make it so you pee (urinate) less often.

Older adults and people with other diseases or a weak defense system (immune system) are at higher risk for dehydration. If you feel sick to your stomach or if you throw up, it is important to follow instructions from your doctor about how to take care of yourself.

Follow these instructions at home:

Eating and drinking

Follow these instructions 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.
    • 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.
    • Low-fat (lean) meats.
    • Toast.
    • Crackers.
  • Avoid fluids that have a lot of sugar or caffeine in them.
  • 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 home wash their hands well and often.
  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
  • Rest at home while you get better.
  • Watch your condition for any changes.
  • Breathe slowly and deeply when you feel sick to your stomach.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

  • You have a fever.
  • You cannot keep fluids down.
  • Your symptoms get worse.
  • You have new symptoms.
  • You feel sick to your stomach for more than two days.
  • You feel light-headed or dizzy.
  • You have a headache.
  • You have muscle cramps.

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 throw up again and again.
  • You see blood in your throw-up.
  • Your throw-up looks like black coffee grounds.
  • You have bloody or black poop (stools) or poop that look like tar.
  • You have a very bad headache, a stiff neck, or both.
  • You have a rash.
  • You have very bad pain, cramping, or bloating in your belly (abdomen).
  • You have trouble breathing.
  • You are breathing very quickly.
  • Your heart is beating very quickly.
  • Your skin feels cold and clammy.
  • You feel confused.
  • You have pain when you pee.
  • You have signs of dehydration, such as:
    • Dark pee, hardly any pee, 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.

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