Expert Q&A for How to Make Yourself Feel Better (When You're Sick)

A bath can be very relaxing and helpful when you are sick. Go ahead and take a bath. Keep a large bowl near the bathtub in case you do get sick. That way, you can quickly grab it and use if needed.

Sometimes, unfortunately, your body will take over and you may vomit. It is not pleasant, but it is the natural response for your body to get rid of something that is making you sick. Sometimes, you don't really want to keep yourself from vomiting because you will only feel sick for a longer time.

You should probably call the doctor's office, especially if you are having difficulty swallowing and your muscles are tensing up. Let them know all those symptoms and ask if you can be seen right away.

Staying warm can help a cold, so either warm pajamas or a warm blanket may help.

You should sit or lay down as soon as you can. Breathe deeply a few times and see if the feeling goes away. Some people feel better if they sit down and bend over so that their head is between their knees. If this happens more than once, call your doctor for an appointment. However, make sure you get a ride to the doctor's office! Don't drive yourself; call a friend or a taxi!

You are probably experiencing fever and chills. This is usually because of a viral infection. You can still use the methods given in the article to make you feel better.

If you wake up because of vomiting, it is time to call a physician for a full check-up. If you wake up because of pain during the night, you may have an ulcer or another condition that does require professional medical care.

With a bad taste in your mouth, make certain you are drinking lots of water. Before you drink, however, try taking a mouthful of water, swishing it around your mouth, and spitting it out. Then, take a full drink of water. You can also try a number of herbal teas with a bit of honey and lemon. Peppermint tea can help clear your mouth of a bad taste.

Ginger ale can help if it contains real ginger and not just ginger flavoring. Check the label to see for sure. Some people feel better when the drink is at room temperature and flat (rather than fizzy).

Many doctors suggest the BRAT diet when people feel sick. This is Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. Most people tolerate those foods well. Eat smaller amounts of food, and eat when you are a little hungry. Avoid very hot or very cold foods and avoid spicy foods.

You should definitely change the sheets if you get sick on them. Put them in a washer or in a closed bin, and wash them when you are feeling better.

The general rule is to stay out of school until you are better-- you don't want to pass on whatever is going on with you!

While it can be difficult, try to think of it this way: if you relax, all that extra energy that is taken up by feeling stressed can be put to better use by your body in getting better faster.

With all that is hurting, you should see a doctor as soon as you can. In the meantime, rest as much as you can and try to keep drinking water.

Sulfur burps can be caused by some types of foods (red meat, dairy products, eggs, some vegetables), eating too fast, some drugs, and some infections. The sulfur-y smell comes from a gas, hydrogen sulfide, that can be produced by certain foods, drugs and infections. If you have diarrhea as well, there might be an infection going on. Make sure you avoid eating red meats, eggs, dairy and foods such as garlic, onions, asparagus, beans, and soy.

This may be something to see your doctor about. Your doctor will probably want to check your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. In the meantime, make sure you get out of bed slowly, perhaps holding onto the bedpost to reduce the risk of a fall.

Unfortunately, it usually takes longer than 2 days to get over most colds or the flu. It can take a while for your body's immune system to kill off the viruses that cause colds and the flu; it has to "gear up" first and learn to recognize the virus, and then it takes time to kill off the virus. It can also depend on how healthy you are when you first get sick: the healthier you are, the better your chances of getting better quickly are.

A fever is a symptom, and not everyone always has the same symptoms. It depends on what is making you sick. For example, you might have a stomach virus that makes you feel sick, but many people don't have a fever. Use the same approaches given in the article.

If this only happens occasionally, it is likely not a serious problem. If it happens often, go see your doctor to see what the problem may be.

The best thing to do is for your dad to call his doctor and tell them exactly what he is feeling. His doctor and nurse can tell him if it is a problem and what to do about it.

The first thing to do is to sit down-- and avoid moving around (or, certainly driving around) until the fainting feeling goes away. You may be low on sugar (hypoglycemic) or dehydrated. Try a piece of hard candy and a glass of water. If this is something you experience often, call your doctor for an appointment.

If you have tried all the approaches suggested in the article, you may just have to wait it out for a day or two. If you still feel sick after a day or two of rest, call your doctor for an appointment.

You may throw up after a while. While that is not a pleasant thing to go through, it is often very helpful and can make you feel better afterwards. Try eating smaller amounts. You can also try the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast). These foods are often recommended when you are feeling nauseous.

Can you call your friends to lend you their notes for your classes? Also, many professors have their lecture notes online. While it is understandable that you want to attend the classes you paid for, if you are feeling sick, you probably won't get much out of them. You also should remember that you don't want to get others in your class sick! Stay at home until you feel better-- then you will be better able to catch up.

Pedialyte is a water solution that has added minerals and electrolytes (and sometimes vitamins and nutrients) to prevent dehydration. The reason it is recommended is that it can replace water and electrolytes lost by vomiting. It doesn't do anything to your stomach, though some people don't like the taste very much.

Go ahead and wash your hair, but stay as warm as you can.

It sounds as if you may have something more complicated going on. If you feel this way a lot, go see your doctor to see if you can find out what is going on with you. If you are talking about a temporary sick feeling, try eating small meals, keeping yourself hydrated with cool water, and trying to get some rest.

All medicines will come with directions for use. Read them carefully and follow them exactly. If there are directions that are not clear, call your pharmacist or your doctor to have them explain the correct way to take that medicine.

If you have tried all the methods and nothing seems to be working, you may need to see your physician. You may have an infection or some other condition that requires prescription medicine and a professional diagnosis.

If you are feeling very sick and are worried, the best thing to do is to call 911 or your local emergency services and get seen by a physician.