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Self-Care for Vomiting and Diarrhea

Vomiting and diarrhea can make you feel awful. Your stomach and bowels are reacting to an irritant. This might be food, medicine, or a virus. Vomiting and diarrhea are 2 ways your body tries to remove the problem from your system. Nausea is a symptom that prevents you from eating. This can give your stomach and bowels time to recover. Self-care can help to ease your discomfort.

Woman drinking glass of water.

Drink liquids

Drink or sip liquids so you don't lose too much fluid (dehydration). To do this:

Choose clear liquids such as water or broth.
Don't have drinks with a lot of sugar in them. This includes juice and soda. These can make diarrhea worse.
If you have severe vomiting or diarrhea, don't drink sports drinks or electrolyte drinks. These don't have the right mix of water, sugar, and minerals. They can make the symptoms worse. Try an oral rehydration solution.
Suck on ice chips if nausea makes it hard for you to drink.

When you’re able to eat again

Try these tips:

As your appetite comes back, you can slowly go back to your normal diet.
Ask your healthcare provider if you should not eat certain foods.

Medicines

When considering medicines:

Don't use medicines to stop diarrhea or vomiting unless your healthcare provider tells you to do so. Vomiting and diarrhea can help your body get rid of harmful substances.
Some medicines can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Talk with your provider about all medicines you take. Ask which ones may cause these symptoms
Any medicine with aspirin can bother your stomach. So don't use them when you have an upset stomach.
Some OTC antihistamines can help control nausea. Other medicines can help soothe an upset stomach. Ask your healthcare provider which medicines may help you.