Table of Contents
What is Vomiting?
Vomiting is an unpleasant sensation that is accompanied by a strong impulse to vomit. Vomiting is a feeling of discomfort in the stomach, feeling waves in the stomach and throat. Vomiting indicates extreme discomfort, diaphragmatic contractions, causing stomach contents to be expelled orally. When the body consumes anything which is unwanted or infected, the body’s defense mechanism causes it to throw out the undigested substances in the form of puking or vomiting. Vomiting is a symptom for a larger infection. Pathogens in food cannot be killed easily. This induces vomiting in the individual. Vomiting is often accompanied by other bodily changes. It is a cause for sweating as well as increased heart rate. Many individuals also witness a fainting feeling.
Your brain tells your body when to vomit, not your stomach. Vomiting is often your body’s way of emitting a contaminated substance. It’s also possible to feel queasy and uneasy and not vomit. Although in many cases, nausea goes away after vomiting. There could be many reasons for this – food poisoning, stomach bug, and alcohol hangover being the most common ones. Vomiting can drain your energy and leave you feeling miserable. If you are suffering from vomiting, then the most important point to remember is to keep yourself hydrated. Excessive puking can exhaust and dehydrate you, so keep sipping water throughout the day.
This condition has many different causes, such as illness, pregnancy, morning sickness, food poisoning, gastroenteritis (stomach flu), excessive alcohol intake, and migraine. Some medications may also cause nausea and vomiting. You can self-treat vomiting at home also.
How to Stop Vomiting?
1. Cloves
Cloves are a traditional remedy for nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness. They also contain a compound thought to have antibacterial abilities which are called eugenol. Cloves are distinguished for their antiseptic properties that have a positive effect on the digestive system. Their ability to stop vomiting is often employed in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. Just keep a few pieces of cloves in your mouth and suck them for long. The scent and aroma and taste of cloves can bring an immediate stop to vomiting. It also brings a change in the taste buds. It also reduces the sensitivity of the mouth. For some reasons, if you cannot stand the pungent taste of cloves, take a spoon of natural honey while munching on them. Drink clove tea to avoid vomiting. You can take one cup of boiling water and add one teaspoon of cloves. Steep for ten minutes, and strain before drinking.
2. Lemon
Lemon juice has a cleansing action on the stomach and also has a rich amount of antioxidants. Lemon juice cures vomiting by overcoming unpleasant odors that cause vomiting sensation. That is why it is listed as one of the effective home remedies for vomiting. In addition, vitamin C in lemon is also very good for health as it can boost the immune system and eliminate the stomach bug that may be causing these symptoms.
You can drink a glass of water with some lemons squeezed into it. If needed, honey can be added for improving the taste of the lemonade. All the vitamins and minerals that lemon has can act as an obstacle to vomiting and thus stop it immediately.
3. Ginger
Some Asian cultures discovered the healing properties of ginger centuries ago and have been using it to ease digestive problems. Ginger is also considered one of the most effective vomiting treatments because it prevents vomiting by strengthening the digestive system, reducing acid in the stomach which causes vomiting. However, the taste of ginger is also stimulated to excite other unpleasant odors. It is a natural antiemetic that contains gingerols and shogaols that enhance gastric emptying and stimulate gastric contractions.
Crush a piece of ginger and put it in water. You can add one teaspoon of honey to this and sip it the entire day. Ginger also has qualities that can ease the irritation of the stomach and bring instant relief. Another good and best way of having ginger is by making a fresh ginger tea. Take one teaspoon of freshly grated ginger root to one cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes, and strain before drinking. Don’t drink ginger ale right after you have vomited. You can rest for a while and then sip ginger ale only on some water.
4. Sugar and salt water
Since vomiting has the ability to lead to an imbalance of the various levels of salts in the body which could be sodium, potassium, etc. , drinking a good mixture of sugar and salt in water has the potential to bring these levels into the normal range for the effective functioning of the body. The solution will not allow the body to get dehydrated and would prevent the weakness of the body. And it is good for making the body hydrated.
5. Fennel seeds
Chewing fennel seeds which are also known as saunf, at regular intervals is extremely effective. It helps in refreshing the taste of the mouth and makes the person feel much better. Fennel seeds are also thought to help calm the digestive tract. Scientific studies are lacking but still, there is some evidence which suggests that it may be worth sipping a cup of fennel tea the next time nausea or vomiting strikes. For making a fennel tea, add about a teaspoon of fennel seeds to one cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes and strain before drinking.
6. Mint Leaves
Like lemon and ginger, mint also works to cure vomiting sensation very effectively by calming the stomach. Mint has also a relaxing effect on the stomach muscles. It also exerts antimicrobial effects when ingested. You can add 1 tablespoon of dried mint leaves to a cup of tea. Then pour hot water into the mouth of the cup. You can put the lid on and leave for 5-10 minutes. Then filter tea, add a little honey or sugar, stir and drink as soon as the tea is hot.
7. Essential oils
You can pour a few drops of peppermint essential oil or lemon essential oil on a piece of a handkerchief or a tissue. Then just simply inhale the aroma and continue inhaling for some minutes. Both peppermint oil and lemon oil have antiemetic effects, which means that their aromas can alleviate the feeling of nausea and stop vomiting. Some studies have proved their efficacy in treating vomiting in different scenarios.
8. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is widely used in medicine to treat diseases, such as diarrhea, colds, nausea, and digestive problems. Cinnamon is known as an effective home remedy for vomiting and nausea. This is the reason why it is often given to women who are in their first trimester when morning sickness can hit hard. Ayurveda shows that cinnamon has antiemetic and stimulating properties.
You can steep the cinnamon stick in a cup of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Then remove the stick and sweeten the cinnamon tea with some honey. Sip the tea slowly. You can also drink cinnamon juice with ginger. Just add a piece of ginger to the mixture.
9. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy may relieve nausea and vomiting, although studies are mixed on its effectiveness. According to a 2014 study, inhaling lemon oil helps reduce pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. For practicing aromatherapy, try deep breathing with an open essential oil bottle or add a few drops to a cotton ball. You can add the oil to a room diffuser also. If lemon oil is not available, try cutting open a fresh lemon and inhaling its scent. Other aroma or scents that may help ease nausea are clove, lavender, chamomile, rose, peppermint.
10. Wrist acupressure
Acupressure is a popular traditional Chinese medicine remedy. Acupressure uses pressure to stimulate certain points on the body to relieve symptoms. Applying pressure to pressure point P6 which is a spot on the palm side of the forearm near your wrist, may help relieve nausea and vomiting. To massage this pressure point, firstly place three fingers across the wrist. Then put your thumb under your index finger. Then rub this point in a firm, circular motion for two to three minutes. Repeat this process on the other wrist.
11. Try deep breaths
Some research shows taking deep, controlled breaths from the diaphragm activates the parasympathetic nervous system. This helps keep the biological response that causes motion sickness in check. Breathing helps in calming anxiety that may occur when you’re feeling sick. You can take deep breaths by breathing air through your nose and into your lungs. Your abdomen should expand as you breath in. Then exhale slowly through your mouth or nose and relax your belly after each breath. Repeat this several times.
12. Milk
As unpleasant and unappealing as it sounds, milk can prove to be good for your stomach. There won’t be any scientific evidence to support the efficacy of this remedy, but it is a solution recommended by grandmothers. Just warm the milk and drink it.
Causes of Vomiting:
Vomiting is a symptom of many ailments. It is not a disease in itself. Here are some of the reasons you could be experiencing this symptom:
• Motion sickness
• Being seasick
• Pregnancy (especially during the early stages)
• Food poisoning
• Overeating
• Infections, especially of the stomach
• Due to some medications
• Intense pain
• Stress and fear
• Gallbladder disease
• Ulcers
• In response to certain smells
• Gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying)
• Toxin ingestion
• Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
The more serious causes of vomiting are a heart attack, brain injury, brain tumor, and cancer.
