Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea is the queasy feeling that you might throw up, and vomiting is when you do. Knowing how to stop vomiting starts with resting your stomach and taking small sips of fluid. Most vomiting from a stomach bug or food clears within 1 to 2 days.

What Is It

Common causes include stomach viruses, food poisoning, motion sickness, migraines, pregnancy, and some medicines. Less common causes include appendicitis, kidney stones, and a blocked bowel. The biggest risk with vomiting is dehydration, especially in children and older adults.

Symptoms

Queasy stomach
Throwing up
Stomach cramps
Diarrhea with a stomach bug
Dry mouth and less urine with dehydration
Feeling dizzy or weak

Not sure what is causing it? Vomiting and diarrhea that spread through a household are often stomach flu. Vomiting within hours of a meal may be food poisoning.

Treatment

At your visit: A provider checks for dehydration and looks for the cause. A urine test can check for pregnancy, infection, or kidney stones. Anti nausea medicine, including a tablet that dissolves on the tongue, may help. A fluid plan guides recovery at home.

At home:

Rest your stomach for 30 to 60 minutes after vomiting
Take small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink every few minutes
Add bland foods like crackers, rice, and toast once vomiting stops
Avoid dairy, fatty foods, caffeine, and alcohol for a day

Most nausea and vomiting from a virus improves within 1 to 2 days.

When to Get Care for Nausea and Vomiting

Watch at Home

Vomiting a few times in an adult who can keep small sips down
Improving within 24 hours

Come to Urgent Care Today

Vomiting for more than 24 hours, or more than 12 hours in a child
Unable to keep fluids down
Signs of dehydration like dark urine, dry mouth, or dizziness
Vomiting with fever or belly pain
Vomiting in someone who may be pregnant

Go to the Emergency Department

Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Severe belly pain or a hard, swollen belly
Vomiting after a head injury
Confusion, a stiff neck, or a severe headache
A baby with no wet diaper in 6 hours or who is very sleepy

FAQ

How do you stop vomiting fast?

To stop vomiting fast, rest your stomach for 30 to 60 minutes, then take small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink every few minutes. Avoid eating until the vomiting stops.

What should I eat after throwing up?

After throwing up, start with small sips of fluid. Once you keep those down, try bland foods like crackers, rice, toast, and bananas, then return to normal food slowly.

When should I worry about vomiting?

Worry about vomiting that lasts more than 24 hours, keeps you from holding down fluids, or comes with dehydration, fever, or belly pain. Children may need care sooner.

What are signs of dehydration from vomiting?

Signs of dehydration from vomiting include dark or little urine, dry mouth, thirst, dizziness, and tiredness. Children may cry without tears or have fewer wet diapers.

Can urgent care treat vomiting?

Yes, urgent care can treat vomiting. At Vitality Urgent Care, a provider can check for dehydration and look for the cause. No appointment or referral is needed.

When is vomiting an emergency?

Vomiting is an emergency when there is blood or coffee ground material, severe belly pain, a head injury, confusion, or a stiff neck. Go to the emergency department.

Last reviewed October 2026