Treating The Stomach Bug: Reducing Nausea And Discomfort

If you're dealing with a stomach bug, you may not be able to hold much down. If you haven't been able to eat or drink much, you could quickly become dehydrated, which could eventually cause you to feel lightheaded and dizzy. Rather than take the risk of passing out, you should start by self-treating at home and then seek additional care if it's needed.

Start the Day With Some Ginger

Ginger is an herb that is best known for its ability to help with nausea. If you feel like you're going to vomit, it may help to start your day off with a cup of ginger tea. It's best to prepare it in the morning and then drink it slowly. The warm beverage may help soothe your stomach while reducing those feelings of nausea and discomfort. Adding a handful of mint leaves to the ginger tea could make the beverage even more effective at preventing nausea.

Eat Light and Choose the Right Foods

You might not feel hungry, especially if keeping your food down is a problem at the moment, but it's a good idea to try eating something light instead of not eating at all. If you're experiencing both vomiting and diarrhea, try eating a banana. Not only is it a natural fruit, but it contains plenty of fiber that could work to put a stop to the diarrhea. Avoid eating anything that is greasy because it could cause your stomach to feel even worse instead of better.

Go to the Hospital

It may be possible to treat your stomach virus at home. However, if you're unable to keep anything down, including water, thing can quickly become dangerous. If you're constantly vomiting and can barely get out of bed because you feel so sick, going to the hospital is a must. During your trip to the hospital, doctors may perform some tests to determine if you're dealing with something a bit more serious than the typical stomach virus, such as salmonella poisoning. Along with performing those tests, you may be hooked up to an IV to receive fluids that will hydrate your body.

Most people will experience a stomach virus at some point. If you seem to have caught the bug, try starting your day off with a cup of ginger tea and make sure to steer clear of any foods that could make your symptoms even worse. If you're vomiting everything you try to drink or eat, it would be difficult for you to stay hydrated and healthy, so the next best step to take would be making a stop at the local hospital, such as Peninsula Community Health Services- Medical (Cottonwood), for treatment.