Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Julie Brow-Polanco. Julie Brow-Polanco is a Master Herbalist & Certified Aromatherapist with more than 11 years of experience. She is an expert on natural remedies and specializes in using them to support whole-body wellness, particularly immune, digestive, nervous, and reproductive health. Julie earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Dominican University, a Master Herbalist Certification from The School of Natural Healing, and a Certificate of Aromatherapy from the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy. Julie is a member of the American Herbalist Guild and a Certified Aromatherapist through the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy.
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After a hectic night out, the alcohol you consumed may have left you feeling nauseated and on the verge of tossing your cookies. This could be caused by over drinking, dehydration, or it could be a signal from your body to pump your brakes on the party. Whenever you start feeling sick, you should take measures to keep your upset stomach from becoming an external issue.This actually occurs when acetaldehyde (the metabolite of ethyl alcohol during digestion in the body) attacks the semicircular canals of the inner ear and reaches the vomiting center in the medulla oblongata.
Steps
Drink water throughout your alcohol excursion. If you're prone to vomiting, you might want to alternate each alcoholic beverage with a glass of water during the night. In the event you get very drunk and perhaps a little nauseous, switch entirely to water. Drink water steadily, but never chug or drink water to excess, as this can upset your stomach.- Inexperienced drinkers sometimes drink too much water out of fear of becoming dehydrated. Drink water throughout the night, but not to uncomfortable excess.
Eat something beforehand. Alcohol filters quickly into blood from the stomach.[1] If you don't have food in your stomach, the alcohol will absorb into your blood intoxicating you rapidly, which could leave your world spinning and your stomach heaving. A little food in your tummy can be the difference between a night on the town and vomit city.Advertisement
Use over the counter medicine. It is important to use a remedy that agrees with your system, so if chalky antacids don't usually calm your upset stomach, popping one of these might not be the best solution. If you have a default over the counter medicine you use for upset stomachs or nausea, take it preemptively when you begin feeling queasy.[4]
Restore your potassium. One of the biggest causes of both hangover and drinking related nausea is dehydration.[5] Dehydration occurs when your body either doesn't have enough water in its system or else can't hold onto water because it doesn't have the right balance of electrolytes.[6] As an important electrolyte, you might help your body retain water by eating a food high in potassium, like a banana.
Consume ginger. Plenty of studies agree that ginger has powerful anti-nausea properties that you can enjoy when drinking ginger tea or ginger soda.[8] You can add powdered ginger to food or drink, chew on a piece of raw ginger, or eat a ginger candy to enjoy ginger's stomach soothing influence.[9]- To make a ginger drink to alleviate nausea, add 1 teaspoon of chopped or powdered ginger to 8 ounces of hot water. Let it steep, covered, for at least 10 minutes. Strain out the ginger (if needed) and sip.
Try fennel seeds. These have been found to aid digestion and lessen the effects of nausea. One tablespoon of crushed fennel seeds stepped in water for 10 minutes will create a sour stomach easing brew.- Chewing a teaspoon of fennel seeds, while maybe not the most appealing option, might also save you from throwing up.
Know your limit. This often is a matter of trial and error, however make sure you learn from the errors. Generally, your limit will be linked to your weight and gender. Women, being generally smaller, weighing less, and having a naturally higher fat content, have a natural handicap when drinking alcohol.[10] Generally, moderate (and likely nausea free) drinking entails:- Men
- 100 - 149 lbs: 1 - 2 drinks per hour
- 150 - 200+ lbs: 2 - 3 drinks per hour
- Women
- 90 - 100 lbs: 1 drink per hour
- 101 - 180 lbs: 1 - 2 drinks per hour
- 181 - 200+ lbs: 2 - 3 drinks per hour
- Men
Stop drinking when you've reached your limit. This is harder than it sounds, especially when friends are encouraging you to have another and your inhibitions are lowered by the alcohol you've already had.- A good defense is to say, "If I have another I'll be sick." This is especially useful if you're talking to the person that lives wherever you're drinking.
Get some fresh air. Cooling yourself off is a big part of feeling better. Parties tend to get hot, and going outside will relieve you of this oppressive, potentially vomit-inducing atmosphere.[11] As an added bonus, if you do vomit it won't be while you're surrounded by people, and throwing up outside requires less involved clean up.
Listen to your body. If you get close to vomiting, if you heave or gag, the best policy to ensure you do not vomit is to call it quits drinking for the night. Especially after you vomit, even if you feel much better, drinking more could lead to more vomiting and potentially something more serious, like alcohol poisoning.
Apply accupressure to your wrist. Though not definitively proven to help with nausea, most doctors don't see any harm in using accupressure to receive relief. Find the Neiguan (P-6) pressure point on your inner arm. Position your hand so that your palm is facing upwards. Place your middle three fingers across the wrist starting where the wrist meets your hand. The outside of the finger closest your body should mark this pressure point P-6. Now you can use your thumb to press this point, moving in a circular motion for a short period of time.[12]- You might gain additional relief by repeating this process on your other wrist.
Avoid excess motion. It may offer you relief if you rest in a sitting or lying on your left side, in a propped up position.[13] Activity may worsen nausea and can even cause vomiting.
Community Q&A
- QuestionWhat if I vomit blood?
Community AnswerYou should see your doctor. - QuestionWhat if dizziness is caused by the body sensing poison in the body and signaling the inner ear?Community AnswerSit down. Breathe deeply. Try to focus on one specific location on the ground. Do not close your eyes, as this may increase nausea.
- QuestionIs it embarrassing to throw up in front of a lot of people at a party?Community AnswerIt depends on who is at the party and how you feel about it. Some people will find it embarrassing, others won't. If you're very drunk, you probably won't care.
Tips
- When reaching a high level of intoxication, the room might begin to spin around you. Different people have different solutions to handle this unpleasantness. Some argue keeping your eyes open, or getting up and doing something, but by putting your head so that it's hanging downwards, perhaps leaning over the edge of something, you will negate the internal cause of the spins.[14] Another option that may help is covering one eye and take deep breaths.Thanks
- If you do vomit, drink lots of water. If you end up vomiting again it's way better to vomit water than dry heave.Thanks
- Avoid drinks that upset your stomach, whether it be a shot of tequila, or something worse like a cement mixer or a prairie fire. Have a few of these and you can end up nearly sober and still vomiting.Thanks
Warnings
- Always exercise proper caution while drinking, and never drink and drive.Thanks
- Vomiting is your body's defense mechanism from you consuming too much of a dangerous material. Listen to your body.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.brown.edu/campus-life/health/services/promotion/alcohol-other-drugs-alcohol/alcohol-and-your-body
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/choosing-healthy-fats.htm
- ↑ https://utswmed.org/medblog/avocado-a-day/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/8106-nausea--vomiting
- ↑ https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/changes-you-can-make-to-manage-high-blood-pressure/how-potassium-can-help-control-high-blood-pressure
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/dehydration.html
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/trade-sports-drinks-for-water-201207305079
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/ginger-benefits
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16640-alcohol-poisoning
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/
- ↑ https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/acupressure-nausea-and-vomiting
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/8106-nausea--vomiting
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/6422-dizziness
About This Article
To not throw up when you’re drunk, try to eat something before you start drinking, which will help absorb the alcohol. While you’re drinking, have a glass of water for every alcoholic drink you consume to help flush out the toxins and keep you hydrated. If you start feeling nauseous, stop drinking alcohol, since continuing to drink will only make you feel worse. Sit down, if you can, as dancing or moving around a lot can make you vomit when you’re feeling sick. You can also head outside or stand by a window to get some fresh air, which will help you feel better. For more tips, including how to combat nausea by consuming ginger, read on!
Reader Success Stories
"My boyfriend and I had a fun night, but I had a little bit too much to drink! I threw up all over everything and in the moment, it wasn't embarrassing because I could barely think. Now I feel very bad, and I would prefer to not do that again, so thank you."..." more
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