Vomiting: Causes, Quick Relief, and Warning Signs

Vomiting is your body's fast way of clearing the stomach. It can be sudden and scary, but most episodes are short and manageable at home. Below you’ll find clear causes, simple steps to feel better, and the exact red flags that mean you should see a doctor now.

Common causes and medication triggers

Infections like stomach flu and food poisoning are top causes. Motion sickness, migraines, and pregnancy (morning sickness) are common too. Certain medicines can trigger nausea and vomiting — for example, metformin often causes stomach upset, some antibiotics and steroids can irritate the gut, and older antidepressants may interact with OTC drugs and increase nausea. Alcohol, migraine drugs, and severe pain also bring on vomiting.

If vomiting starts after a new medication, check the leaflet and call your pharmacist or doctor. Never stop prescription meds without asking your prescriber first.

Practical home care that works

Start with small, steady steps. Sit up or tilt your head forward; lying flat can make nausea worse. Take tiny sips of clear fluids — water, broth, or an oral rehydration solution. Aim for a teaspoon every few minutes if a lot is coming up. When vomiting eases, try bland foods: crackers, toast, rice, or banana (the BRAT ideas).

Ginger often helps; try ginger tea or candied ginger. Peppermint tea or sucking on peppermint candy can calm the stomach for some people. Acupressure at the P6 point (inner wrist, three fingers down) can reduce nausea for motion sickness or chemo-related nausea.

Over-the-counter anti-nausea options like dimenhydrinate or meclizine may help motion sickness. Prescription antiemetics such as ondansetron or promethazine can stop severe nausea but should be used under a doctor’s advice.

Watch fluids and urine. If you can’t keep liquids down for 12–24 hours, dehydration becomes a real risk. Small, frequent sips and oral rehydration mix can prevent it better than gulping large amounts.

If the person is a baby, elderly, pregnant, or has a chronic condition, act sooner. They dehydrate faster and may need medical attention earlier than a healthy adult.

Red flags — go to the ER or call emergency services if you see any of these: blood in vomit, persistent severe abdominal pain, high fever, signs of severe dehydration (very little urine, dizzy, very dry mouth), confusion, a stiff neck, severe headache after a head injury, or if vomiting follows chest pain or trouble breathing.

Prevention matters: store food safely, avoid strong alcohol, take stomach-irritating meds with food if advised, and talk to your doctor about switching drugs that upset your stomach. If nausea links to migraines or a known condition, ask your clinician about targeted treatments to stop vomiting before it starts.

Got specific questions about medicines or a stubborn case of vomiting? Ask your pharmacist or doctor — they can recommend safe antiemetics and check for drug interactions that might be the real cause.