Nausea and Vomiting Treatment

Treatment

Loss of body fluid without replacement (dehydration) can cause nausea and vomiting. Dehydration can cause an imbalance of sodium, potassium, and chloride in the body, and diminishes the volume of your blood. Symptoms include dizziness and weakness; children and the elderly are most at risk. Severe dehydration requires an urgent visit to your doctor.

Over-the-counter products or home remedies may help. Home remedies such as flat soft drinks and crackers may ease nausea. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) and similar generic brands may soothe symptoms. It may also cause a harmless blackening of tongue or stool. However, do not give this product to a child or teenager who has or is recovering from chickenpox or flu. Emetrol is another over-the-counter product that is effective.

Your doctor is the best source of information on the drug treatment choices available to you.

Natural remedies may soothe nausea. Ginger has long been known to soothe the digestive system. Homeopaths also think that the scent of patchouli quells nausea. Peppermint tea or peppermint oil can soothe the stomach, reducing nausea and motion sickness.

Nausea and vomiting is not usually a serious condition. It will often pass relatively quickly with few after-effects. If it is the symptom of a more serious condition, it can usually be effectively treated. In that case, the patient and physician should focus on treating the underlying disease.

Follow-up is only necessary if nausea and vomiting are the result of a more serious condition.