How to Stop Vomiting, Nausea, and Diarrhea

How to Manage Vomiting, Nausea, and Diarrhea

Main Points Summary

• Prevent Dehydration: Sip clear fluids like water, oral rehydration solutions (ORS), or ginger ale to replace lost fluids and electrolytes.
• Rest Your Stomach: Avoid eating or drinking for 1–2 hours after vomiting, then slowly introduce bland foods like crackers or rice.
• Use Natural Remedies: Ginger tea, peppermint, or acupressure can help soothe nausea.
• Avoid Triggers: Steer clear of greasy, spicy, or sugary foods and drinks that can worsen symptoms.
• Practice Hygiene: Wash hands frequently to prevent spreading infections like norovirus.
• Seek Medical Help: Contact a doctor if symptoms last more than 2–3 days, you show signs of dehydration, or have severe symptoms like blood in vomit or stool.

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1. Prevent and Treat Dehydration

Dehydration is the most serious risk from vomiting and diarrhea, especially for children, older adults, or those with weakened immune systems. According to the Cleveland Clinic, adults may notice dehydration through thirst, dry mouth, or dark urine, while children may show sunken eyes or rapid breathing.

• What to Do:
  • Wait 1–2 hours after vomiting before drinking anything. Start with small sips of water or ice chips every 5–10 minutes.
  • Use an oral rehydration solution (ORS) like Pedialyte or store-brand equivalents, available at pharmacies. ORS restores fluids and electrolytes better than sports drinks, which may worsen symptoms.
  • Other good fluids include ginger ale (flat, not fizzy), clear broth, or diluted apple juice. Avoid sugary drinks like fruit juice or soda, as they can make diarrhea worse.
  • For children, offer 1–2 teaspoons of ORS every 5 minutes. If breastfeeding, continue but offer smaller, more frequent feeds.
• Signs of Dehydration to Watch For:
  • Dark, smelly urine or urinating less than usual (e.g., no urine for 8 hours in children).
  • Dry mouth, lips, or tongue.
  • Dizziness, irritability, or sunken eyes (especially in kids).
  • In infants, a sunken soft spot on the head or fewer than 6 wet diapers daily.

If dehydration signs appear, contact a healthcare provider immediately.

2. Rest Your Digestive System Giving your stomach a break helps reduce nausea and vomiting. According to the University of North Carolina Campus Health, avoiding food and drink right after vomiting is crucial.

• What to Do:
  • After Vomiting: Don’t eat or drink for 1–2 hours. Then, try sucking on ice chips or taking tiny sips of water.
  • After 12 Hours: If vomiting stops, introduce bland, easy-to-digest foods like:
    • Crackers, dry toast, or pretzels.
    • White rice, boiled potatoes, or bananas.
    • Applesauce (part of the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, toast).
  • Avoid solid foods until vomiting subsides. For diarrhea alone, stick to a bland diet until symptoms improve.
  • Gradually return to a normal diet over 24–48 hours, starting with small portions.
• Foods and Drinks to Avoid:
  • Greasy, fried, or spicy foods.
  • Dairy products, which can worsen diarrhea.
  • Caffeinated drinks, alcohol, or carbonated sodas.
  • High-sugar foods like pastries or candy.

3. Try Natural Remedies for Nausea Natural remedies can ease nausea and vomiting without medication. According to posts on X and medical sources, ginger and peppermint are time-tested options.

• Ginger:
  • Sip ginger tea (made from fresh ginger or tea bags) or chew ginger candies. A 2021 study found ginger reduced nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients.
  • Safe for most adults, but consult a doctor for children under 2 or if pregnant.
• Peppermint:
  • Inhale peppermint oil (diluted with a carrier oil like coconut oil) or sip peppermint tea. A 2021 study showed peppermint oil reduced nausea frequency.
  • Rub diluted peppermint oil on your wrists or temples for a calming effect.
• Acupressure:
  • Press the P6 point (inner wrist, about two finger-widths below the crease) for 1–2 minutes. Acupressure bands (like Sea-Bands) can also help. This is effective for motion sickness or pregnancy-related nausea.
• Other Tips:
  • Take slow, deep breaths or practice diaphragmatic breathing to calm your stomach.
  • Get fresh air by opening a window or stepping outside.
  • Avoid strong smells, which can trigger nausea.

4. Use Medications Cautiously Over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications can help, but they’re not always necessary and may not be safe for everyone.

• What to Do:
  • Consult a doctor before taking anti-nausea (antiemetic) drugs like Dramamine or antidiarrheal drugs like Imodium. These can be harmful for children or if there’s blood in your stool.
  • For adults, OTC options like Pepto-Bismol may ease nausea or diarrhea, but check with a provider first.
  • If a bacterial infection (e.g., food poisoning) is suspected, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
  • Avoid aspirin or ibuprofen (NSAIDs), as they can irritate your stomach.
• Note: Vomiting and diarrhea are your body’s way of expelling harmful substances. Stopping them too soon with meds may prolong the illness.

5. Practice Good Hygiene to Prevent Spreading Vomiting and diarrhea are often caused by highly contagious viruses like norovirus or rotavirus. According to the NHS, you’re infectious from the start of symptoms until 48 hours after they stop.

• What to Do:
  • Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom or before eating.
  • Disinfect surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, toilets) with a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10–50 parts water) or Lysol. Wear gloves when cleaning vomit or feces.
  • Avoid sharing towels, utensils, or cups.
  • Wash contaminated clothing or linens in hot water with soap.
  • Stay home from work or school for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop. Avoid hospitals or pools to prevent spreading the infection.

6. Know When to Seek Medical Help Most cases of vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea resolve in 1–3 days without medical intervention. However, certain symptoms require urgent care. According to Healthline and the NHS, seek a doctor if:

• For Adults:
  • Vomiting lasts more than 2 days or diarrhea lasts more than 7 days.
  • Signs of severe dehydration (e.g., no urine for 8 hours, extreme thirst, dizziness).
  • Blood in vomit (looks like coffee grounds) or stool, or bleeding from the rectum.
  • High fever (over 100.4°F or 38°C) with abdominal pain.
  • Symptoms follow a head injury or suspected poisoning.
  • You’re pregnant and have severe vomiting (possible hyperemesis gravidarum).
• For Children:
  • Vomiting lasts more than a few hours (infants) or 1 day (older kids).
  • Diarrhea with signs of dehydration (e.g., no wet diapers for 6 hours, sunken eyes).
  • Fever over 100.4°F (37.8°C) in infants or high fever with abdominal pain.
  • Child is unusually sleepy, irritable, or unresponsive.
• Emergency:
  • Call 911 or go to the ER if you or your child have difficulty breathing, pale/blotchy skin, or vomit blood.

FAQs

Q: How long do vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea usually last? A: Most cases, like those from viral gastroenteritis, last 1–3 days. Diarrhea may persist up to 7 days, but stools can take 2–3 weeks to normalize.

Q: Can I eat normally while having these symptoms? A: No, avoid solid foods during vomiting. Start with clear fluids, then bland foods like rice or crackers after 12 hours without vomiting.

Q: Are sports drinks good for rehydration? A: They’re less effective than ORS and may worsen diarrhea due to sugar content. Stick to water, broth, or Pedialyte.

Q: Can stress cause these symptoms? A: Yes, stress can worsen nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, especially in conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Q: Is it safe to use anti-diarrhea medicine for kids? A: No, children under 12 should not take antidiarrheal or anti-nausea meds unless prescribed by a doctor.

Citations

• Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Nausea & Vomiting: Causes & Treatment.
• University of North Carolina Campus Health. (2021). Care of Nausea, Vomiting, & Diarrhea.
• Saint Luke’s Health System. (n.d.). Self-Care for Vomiting and Diarrhea.
• Healthline. (2024). Vomiting and Diarrhea at the Same Time: Causes and Management.
• MedlinePlus. (2024). When You Have Nausea and Vomiting.
• Medical News Today. (2025). How to Stop Vomiting: Home Remedies.
• University Health Service, University of Michigan. (n.d.). Diarrhea and Vomiting.
• NHS. (2021). Diarrhoea and Vomiting.
• CVS MinuteClinic. (n.d.). How to Treat Nausea, Vomiting & Diarrhea.
• American Cancer Society. (2024). Managing Nausea and Vomiting at Home.
• FamilyDoctor.org. (2024). What To Do If You Have Vomiting and Diarrhea at the Same Time.
• Medical News Today. (2020). Vomiting and Diarrhea: Causes and Treatments.
• Seattle Children’s. (2025). Vomiting With Diarrhea.
• Health.nz. (2025). Diarrhoea and Vomiting (Gastroenteritis).
• University of Nebraska Health Center. (n.d.). 4 Home Remedies for an Upset Stomach.
• VeryWellHealth. (2025). How to Stop Throwing Up and Calm Your Nausea Fast.
• WebMD. (2017). Ginger for Stomach Issues.
• @sleepingbags. (2025). Nausea Relief Tips.

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized treatment, especially for severe or persistent symptoms.