Nausea Solutions: Fast Relief, Natural Remedies, and When to Seek Help

Nausea can hit out of nowhere and wreck your plans. The good news: you don’t always need a prescription to feel better. Below are simple, practical steps you can try right away and safer options to ask your provider about if home fixes fail.

Quick fixes that often work now

Start with the basics: sip small amounts of clear fluids (water, weak tea, or an oral rehydration drink) every 10–15 minutes. Big gulps can trigger more queasiness. Eat plain, dry foods—saltines, plain toast, or a banana—when you can tolerate them. The BRAT approach (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) still helps settle the stomach for many people.

Try ginger: ginger tea, candied ginger, or 500 mg ginger capsules (if you tolerate supplements) can reduce nausea for motion sickness, pregnancy, and mild stomach bugs. Peppermint tea or sucking on peppermint candy also calms the stomach for some people.

For motion sickness, focus on the horizon, sit where motion is least felt (front seat of a car, over the wing on a plane), and avoid reading or screens. Over-the-counter meds like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine can help—take them before travel for best effect. Acupressure wristbands that press the P6 point on your inner wrist are drug-free and can reduce nausea for motion and pregnancy-related queasiness.

If smells make you worse, open a window or use a cool compress on your forehead and neck. Fresh, cool air often reduces the urge to vomit. Rest in a propped-up, still position rather than lying flat, which can worsen reflux-related nausea.

Medications, targeted treatments, and when to see a doctor

If home measures don’t help, ask a provider about antiemetics. For short-term prescription options, ondansetron (commonly used for chemo or severe nausea) and promethazine are effective but should be used under medical advice. For pregnancy-related nausea, doctors often recommend vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) alone or combined with doxylamine—this combo is a first-line option many OBs suggest.

Seek medical care if you can’t keep liquids down for 24 hours, show signs of dehydration (dry mouth, low urine, dizziness), have severe abdominal pain, bloody or green vomit, high fever, or fainting. Also get help right away if nausea follows head trauma, confusion, or severe weakness. For ongoing or severe cases, your doctor may prescribe stronger antiemetics, check labs, or investigate underlying causes like infections, migraines, pregnancy, inner ear issues, or medication side effects.

Small changes often make a big difference: hydrate steadily, avoid trigger foods and smells, try ginger or peppermint, and use OTC motion-sickness meds when needed. If symptoms persist or worsen, contact a healthcare professional—quick action can prevent dehydration and find the right treatment for you.