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Nausea and Vomiting
Tips and Remedies To Relieve Your Symptoms

By , About.com Guide

Updated: August 10, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Nausea not only makes you feel uncomfortable and sick, it can be dangerous when associated with vomiting. Nausea can be caused by several factors including:
  • HIV disease
  • prescription and over the counter medications
  • inner ear infections or disease
  • abdominal infections or disease
  • viral or bacterial infections

So what can we do to relieve nausea? Here are some ideas on what you can do to to ease your symptoms.

  • Your diet should start with clear liquids only and progress to more solid foods as tolerated. When solid foods are tolerated, follow a BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast) until the nausea and vomiting has resolved.

  • Leave dry crackers by your bed. Before getting out of bed in the morning, eat a few and sit in bed for a few minutes. Pregnant women use this method when suffering from morning sickness and have good results.

  • Sip cold carbonated drinks like ginger ale, 7-Up or Sprite to ease the nausea. If vomiting occurs, replenish fluids with:
    • broth
    • non-carbonated beverages
    • juice diluted with a little water
    • Jello
    • Gatorade
    • commercial rehydrating drinks such as Pedialyte
    • Popsicles

  • Avoid hot (spicy not temperature), spicy, high fat, fried, and greasy foods.

    Food For Thought - A Good Start to a Good Diet

    About.com's Low Fat Cooking Site

  • Talk to your doctor about prescription medications available to ease nausea and vomiting

  • Consult your doctor or HIV specialist to see if your HIV treatment program employs a dietician or nutritionist. These professionals are an excellent source of ideas on how you can ease nausea and vomiting.

Nutrition at About.com

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