After throwing up, rest your stomach for at least 2-6 hours, avoiding food and drink initially, then slowly reintroduce clear liquids (water, broth, electrolyte drinks) in small sips, and eventually bland foods (BRAT diet) as you feel better, staying home and avoiding others for at least 2 days to prevent spreading infection.
In the immediate six or so hours after vomiting has stopped, it is best to give your stomach a rest. Following a period of one to two hours, suck on hard candy or popsicles (no chewing). Then progress to ice chips or sips of water if nausea persists.
Make an appointment with your doctor if: Vomiting lasts more than two days for adults, 24 hours for children under age 2 or 12 hours for infants.
A child who is vomiting should be given clear liquids to drink, in small amounts at first, then in gradually larger amounts. Water, Pedialyte, sports drinks with electrolytes, diluted fruit juice (but not orange or grapefruit juice), Jell-O, Popsicles and clear broths can all help to prevent dehydration.
Drink plenty of clear fluids or oral rehydration solution to replace lost fluids — take small sips if you feel sick. Avoid fruit juice, cordial and sugary drinks. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Adjust your diet until you get back to normal — eat bland foods, such as rice, pasta and crackers.
Avoid lying down right away, as this can cause discomfort. Instead, stay seated after eating to support digestion and reduce the risk of vomiting. Once you're able to eat, start with small amounts of bland food, eat slowly, and give your stomach time to digest.
The vomiting reflex is mediated by both the autonomic and somatic systems, and consists of two phases:
For the first 3 or 4 hours, your child may vomit everything. Then the stomach settles down. Vomiting from a viral illness often stops in 12 to 24 hours. Mild vomiting and nausea may last up to 3 days.
Eat small portions of bland foods — cereal, rice, plain chicken, toast. Wait at least half a day after vomiting to eat a solid meal. Try over-the-counter (OTC) motion sickness medicine. These drugs can help calm your stomach when traveling by car, bus, boat, or airplane.
Kadri shared the most effective ways to help replace lost fluids and rehydrate:
Viral stomach flu usually lasts 12 - 60 hours, and can often be self-managed by following these guidelines, including the gastro diet. Gastroenteritis cases arising after travel may involve different organisms, bacterial, viral, parasitic, and are managed case by case depending on history.
In kids and teens, viruses are the most common cause of stomach flu. Many viruses, like norovirus and rotavirus, can lead to stomach flu. The rotavirus vaccine can help prevent cases caused by that virus.
Electrolyte solutions like Pedialyte or Gatorade will help your child replace both fluids and electrolytes that have been lost. If your child is vomiting, he or she should drink small amounts of liquid often rather than a lot all at once. Start with 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon every 5 minutes and increase gradually.
Avoid eating and drinking for two hours after the last episode of vomiting. Start with small amounts of clear liquids, such as water, ice, popsicles, sports drinks, clear broth or Jell-O for the first 24 hours. Avoid alcohol, caffeinated beverages, and fruit juice.
Drink water, but replace fluids with a drink that contains electrolytes if you experience significant sweating or fluid loss from vomiting and diarrhea. You should feel better after five or 10 minutes.
Gastroenteritis and food poisoning are the most common causes of sudden vomiting. Vomiting can also be a symptom of something serious. See your doctor if you have been vomiting for more than a few days, or if you are dehydrated.
How to Cure an Upset Stomach Naturally
Vomiting is the body's way of getting rid of harmful substances from the stomach, or it may be a reaction to something that has irritated the gut. One of the most common causes of vomiting in adults is gastroenteritis. This is an infection of the gut usually caused by bacteria or a virus.
WARNING: Do not give your child any medicine unless their doctor or health care provider tells you it's safe for them. Sleep: It's important that your child gets plenty of rest. Sleep helps the stomach finish digesting any food in it. It may calm your child's vomiting.
Speak to your GP if:
Red or Pink Vomit
Where black or dark brown vomit indicates partially digested blood, red and pink vomit flags the presence of fresh blood. If you have found yourself vomiting large amounts of red or pink vomit, you must seek medical attention urgently, as this could be a life-threatening emergency.
Make an appointment with your doctor if: Vomiting lasts more than two days for adults, 24 hours for children under age 2 or 12 hours for infants. You've had bouts of nausea and vomiting for longer than one month. You've experienced unexplained weight loss along with nausea and vomiting.
Vomiting alone (without diarrhea) should stop within about 24 hours. If it lasts over 24 hours, you must think about more serious causes. Examples are appendicitis, a kidney infection, diabetes and head injury. A serious cause in young babies is pyloric stenosis.