Feeling queasy is miserable — it steals your day and makes everything harder. The good news: small changes often stop nausea quickly. Below I share practical fixes you can try right now and clear signs when you should see a clinician.
Sip slowly. Big gulps can trigger more nausea. Take small sips of water, clear broth, or an oral rehydration drink every few minutes. If you can’t hold liquids, try ice chips.
Ginger helps a lot for many people. Try ginger tea, candied ginger, or a ginger chew. Peppermint—in tea or candy—can relax the stomach for some people too. Both are gentle and easy to find.
Use acupressure. Press the P6 point on your inner wrist (about two finger-widths from the crease) or use motion-sickness wristbands. Many people get relief within 10–20 minutes.
Fresh air and steady breathing work wonders. Open a window, sit upright, and take slow deep breaths. Avoid strong smells, hot rooms, and flashy lights—those can make nausea worse.
Stick to bland foods until you feel better: crackers, toast, plain rice, or banana. Eat small portions every hour rather than large meals. Avoid greasy, spicy, or acidic foods until your stomach settles.
Try carbonation carefully. A small sip of flat or lightly carbonated ginger ale can soothe some people. Don’t gulp — bubbles can increase burping and discomfort for others.
Over-the-counter options: dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine can help with motion sickness or short-term nausea. Always follow the label and check with a pharmacist if you take other meds.
Get medical help if vomiting lasts more than 24 hours, you can’t keep any fluids down, or you have signs of dehydration (dry mouth, low urine, dizziness). Also seek care for severe abdominal pain, high fever, blood in vomit, fainting, or if nausea follows a head injury.
If you’re pregnant and nausea is severe or prevents eating/drinking, talk to your provider about safe treatments — options differ from typical antiemetics. If you take multiple prescription drugs or have heart or liver disease, check with your doctor before using OTC anti-nausea meds.
For food poisoning, symptoms often start within hours and usually pass in a day or two with fluids and rest. If symptoms are severe or last longer, see a clinician.
Try one or two tips at a time and give them 20–30 minutes to work. If nothing helps or your symptoms get worse, don’t wait — contact a healthcare provider. Small steps can stop nausea fast, but prompt care matters when warning signs appear.
