Nausea Remedies: Fast, Safe Ways to Calm Your Stomach

Nausea can hit at the worst times. You may be on a bus, at work, or trying to sleep. The good news: there are simple steps you can use right away to feel better. These tips work for motion sickness, mild food-related upset, pregnancy queasiness, and many everyday cases.

Quick fixes you can try now

Start breathing slowly: inhale through your nose for four counts, exhale through your mouth for six. Cool air or a fan across your face helps. Sip plain water or a clear electrolyte drink in small amounts—big gulps can make vomiting more likely. Try ginger: ginger tea, candied ginger, or ginger capsules often calm the stomach within minutes to an hour. Peppermint candy or peppermint tea soothes the gut for many people. Avoid strong smells, greasy foods, and tight clothing around the waist.

Natural approaches that work. Acupressure on the P6 point (three finger-widths down from the wrist, between the two central tendons) can reduce nausea. Wrist bands for motion sickness press that spot and may help on trips. Eating bland, dry foods like crackers, toast, or a banana can settle the stomach. Small, frequent meals beat three big plates when you feel queasy. Keep your head elevated after eating and avoid lying flat.

Medicines and when to use them

Over-the-counter options include dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine for motion sickness. Both can cause drowsiness, so avoid driving until you know how you react. Antacids help nausea from reflux. Prescription antiemetics like ondansetron are used for severe or persistent nausea—ask your doctor before taking them. For pregnancy nausea, ask your provider; low-dose doxylamine with vitamin B6 is a common option.

Special situations and safety tips. If nausea follows head injury, chest pain, severe abdominal pain, high fever, signs of dehydration, or lasts more than 48 hours, get medical care. Persistent vomiting in pregnancy needs prompt evaluation. If you're on other medications, check for interactions—many drugs can worsen nausea. Children need careful dosing and often different treatments; call a pediatrician before giving medicines.

Simple changes that prevent nausea. Avoid heavy meals before travel, keep air fresh, sit where motion is least felt (front seat or middle of a boat), and stay hydrated. Manage anxiety with breathing or a short walk—stress often makes nausea worse.

Extra tips: for motion sickness, take meclizine 30 to 60 minutes before travel. For ginger, try 500 mg capsules or 1 gram of fresh ginger in tea; don't overload if you have gallstones. Avoid alcohol and smoking when queasy—they irritate the stomach. Cold, tart drinks like lemonade or chilled apple juice help some people. If you have chronic problems tied to medications, ask your prescriber if changing timing or dose could reduce nausea. Keep a kit with crackers, a mint, and a P6 band for quick relief.

If one trick doesn't help, try another. Most cases clear up with these steps, but don't hesitate to contact a healthcare professional if symptoms worsen or don't improve.