Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCauses of VomittingHow to Stop ItIf You Can’t Stop It
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Table of Contents
Causes of Vomitting
How to Stop It
If You Can’t Stop It
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Throwing up is your body’s way of ridding itself of substances it deems poisonous or those that it is unable to digest, but sometimes your body has the urge to throw up more than is actually necessary. This is why it can be helpful to know a few strategies to lower your need to vomit.
At a GlanceHere are some steps you can take to lower your likelihood of throwing up:Sit down and limit physical activitySip on a sweet beverageDrink some ginger teaChew on ice chipsEat light, bland foodsAvoid spicy and oily foodsTake some deep breathsStep outside for some fresh air
At a Glance
Here are some steps you can take to lower your likelihood of throwing up:Sit down and limit physical activitySip on a sweet beverageDrink some ginger teaChew on ice chipsEat light, bland foodsAvoid spicy and oily foodsTake some deep breathsStep outside for some fresh air
Here are some steps you can take to lower your likelihood of throwing up:
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Why You Might Be Throwing Up
Before trying to stop from throwing up, a great place to start is to find out why the contents of your stomach are coming up in the first place. This is especially important because throwing up might be a symptom of an underlying condition.
The most common causes of vomiting are:
If your vomiting is occurring alongside other symptoms such as headaches, pain, or tremors, it could be a sign of the following:
Ways to Stop Yourself From Throwing up
If you feel the urge to throw up in a safe and clean space, it’s best to go ahead and do so, especially if the cause of your vomiting is food poisoning or consuming too much alcohol.
These are some techniques to help you stop yourself from throwing up if you are in a public space or if it’s simply inconvenient to do so at that moment:
Relax
This might seem like a no-brainer, but sometimes it can make all the difference between simplyfeeling nauseousand finding yourself with your head stuck down a toilet bowl. If you had been standing when your nausea hit, then take a seat because lying down flat may cause you to vomit.
Also, limit all physical activity; being in motion may only exacerbate your nausea.
Try a Sweet Drink
Sipping on a sweet drink like a Gatorade or ginger ale could help alleviate your nausea and stop you from throwing up.
Drink Ginger Tea
Some research shows that ginger has excellent antinausea properties that could help people prone to nausea or vomiting feel better. A 2014 study on the effects of ginger on nausea and vomiting in women in theearly stage of their pregnanciesfound that ginger root was an effective, non-medical way to relieve nausea.
If you do not have ginger tea but find some ginger in your kitchen, you could peel it up, put it in a cup of warm water, and sip on it.
Chew Some Ice
Chewing on some ice chipscan help relieve nausea and stop you from throwing up. If you are in a place where ice chips aren’t readily available, sipping on an icy bottle of water or a non-acidic drink can also help prevent vomiting.
Avoid Spicy or Oily Foods
If you find yourself on the brink of throwing up, you have to be extra careful about what you eat. Ideally, you should avoid eating until you feel better, but if you must eat, eat only bland foods like a piece of toast. Avoid any spicy or oily foods that could make you feel worse.
Take Deep Breaths
Some people find themselves with an urge to throw up in a stressful situation or when they are anxious. For people in these scenarios,deep breathing exercisescould help stop them from throwing up. Deep breathing exercises also work great for people who have motion sickness.
Can Anxiety Cause Nausea?
Find Some Fresh Air
Sometimes, feeling like throwing up might have more to do with the environment you are in than with what’s going on in your body. If you are in a crowded room with little ventilation and suddenly feel the urge to throw up,try stepping outside for a bit.
What to Do If You Throw Up
If you were able to temporarily stave the vomit away but eventually end up throwing up, here are a couple of things you can do to find some relief:
If any of the remedies above aren’t helping stop your vomiting, it might be time to speak to a healthcare provider about it. You should also seek medical attention if you notice any blood in your vomit.
Keep in Mind
In most cases, feeling nauseous or throwing up is nothing to fuss about. The feeling typically passes in no time. However, if you are exhibiting other worrying symptoms such as headaches, severe pain, weakness, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath, you should see a healthcare provider.
While stopping yourself from throwing up might be convenient in certain scenarios, it’s not always the best choice. If it’s convenient, it’s always best to let nausea and vomiting just run their course naturally. However, if you’ve been vomiting and can’t figure out what’s causing it, you should speak to a medical professional.
4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Nausea & Vomiting.Cleveland Clinic.Stress nausea: Why it happens and how to deal.Thomson M, Corbin R, Leung L.Effects of ginger for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a meta-analysis.J Am Board Fam Med. 2014;27(1):115-122. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2014.01.130167University of Michigan: University Health Service.Diarrhea and vomiting.
4 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Nausea & Vomiting.Cleveland Clinic.Stress nausea: Why it happens and how to deal.Thomson M, Corbin R, Leung L.Effects of ginger for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a meta-analysis.J Am Board Fam Med. 2014;27(1):115-122. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2014.01.130167University of Michigan: University Health Service.Diarrhea and vomiting.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cleveland Clinic.Nausea & Vomiting.Cleveland Clinic.Stress nausea: Why it happens and how to deal.Thomson M, Corbin R, Leung L.Effects of ginger for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a meta-analysis.J Am Board Fam Med. 2014;27(1):115-122. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2014.01.130167University of Michigan: University Health Service.Diarrhea and vomiting.
Cleveland Clinic.Nausea & Vomiting.
Cleveland Clinic.Stress nausea: Why it happens and how to deal.
Thomson M, Corbin R, Leung L.Effects of ginger for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a meta-analysis.J Am Board Fam Med. 2014;27(1):115-122. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2014.01.130167
University of Michigan: University Health Service.Diarrhea and vomiting.
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