Vomiting: What Causes It and How to Find Fast Relief
Throwing up is never fun. It can come out of nowhere — after a bad meal, on a boat, with a migraine, or from a medicine. Most times it clears up in a day or two. But knowing simple home fixes, when to get medical help, and what medicines pharmacists in Mexico can offer makes dealing with it easier.
Quick home fixes
Start by keeping fluids small and steady. Sip water, clear broth, or an oral rehydration solution — aim for a few teaspoons every few minutes at first. A quick homemade ORS: 1 liter of water, 6 teaspoons sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Rest upright or propped on pillows; lying flat often makes nausea worse.
Eat bland foods once vomiting eases: toast, crackers, bananas, rice (the BRAT approach). Avoid dairy, greasy foods, alcohol, caffeine, and strong smells for 24–48 hours. Try ginger tea or ginger candies — ginger can cut nausea for many people. If motion makes you sick, look at the horizon, sit where motion is least felt, and consider over-the-counter travel pills before the trip.
Medicines and buying tips in Mexico
Common anti-nausea medicines include dimenhydrinate (often sold as Dramamine or generic), promethazine, metoclopramide (Reglan), and ondansetron (Zofran). Many of these require a doctor’s prescription in some countries, but Mexican pharmacies sometimes sell them more readily. Still, chat with the pharmacist and be cautious — read labels and ask about side effects.
Generics are usually cheaper and work the same as brand names. If cost is a concern, ask for the generic name rather than the brand. Also check for oral rehydration sachets; they’re cheap, effective, and safer than guessing how much salt and sugar to add. If you plan to buy meds in Mexico while traveling, bring a copy of your prescriptions and any medical history notes to avoid problems.
Certain groups need extra care: children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with chronic illnesses. Some antiemetics aren’t safe in pregnancy or with certain heart conditions, so don’t self-prescribe if you fall into those groups.
Watch for warning signs that mean it’s time to see a doctor or visit the ER: vomiting that lasts more than 24 hours in adults (or several hours in infants), signs of dehydration (dizziness, little urine, very dry mouth), high fever, severe belly pain, bloody vomit, or confusion. If you can’t keep liquids down at all, seek help — dehydration can get serious fast.
If vomiting follows recent surgery, chemotherapy, or a head injury, contact your healthcare team immediately. For recurring nausea tied to medications, ask your doctor about changing the drug or adding a preventive antiemetic.
Simple steps—slow sips, bland food, ginger, and a pharmacist’s advice—resolve most cases. When in doubt, get medical help rather than waiting. Staying hydrated and knowing the right medicine options in Mexico can keep a bad day from getting worse.
