How To Cope With Nausea And Vomiting

The following non-drug methods help with nausea and vomiting. Consider experimenting with each to see which do, and do not, work for you. It is advisable to keep track of when nausea occurs and the apparent causes for it. In to helping you figure out how to cope with your situation, you can report accurately to your medical team.

Food and Drink Do's 

• Overall: Eat and drink slowly.
• Food
  • Eat frequent, small meals 6 - 8 times throughout the day instead of 1, 2, or 3 large meals.
  • Eat your largest meal of the day at the time when you feel your best.
  • Eat light, bland foods such as plain bread.
  • Prepare and freeze meals in advance.
  • Chew your food well for better digestion
  • After eating, rest in a chair. 
  • Avoid strong smells
    • Eat foods cold or at room temperature (warm)
    • Limit foods with strong odors such as onions, broccoli, or cauliflower
  • If nausea is a problem in the morning, try eating dry foods, such as cereal, toast, or crackers, before getting up.
    • Keep them by the bed so you can eat them before getting up. 
    • Don't try this if you have mouth or throat sores or are troubled by a dry mouth.
• Drink
  • Drink liquids at least an hour before or after mealtime instead of with your meals.
  • Drink cool, clear liquids, such as apple juice, tea, ginger ale that has lost its fizz, flavored gelatin, popsicles.
  • If you have difficulty drinking enough liquids, suck on ice cubes, juice popsicles, mints, or tart candies. (Do not eat tart candies if you have mouth or throat sores.)
  • According to Deborah Christensen, BSN, RN, OCN, NNB-BC: "Fatigue, dizzines, dark yellow urine, and feeling thirsty are signs that more fluid (preferably water) is needed. Sipping water throughout the day can help improve absorption."
• Try ginger. Ginger is a natural anti-nausea agent.  For example:
  • Put a few drops of ginger extract into a glass of fizzy water
  • Ginger in tablets 
  • Flat ginger ale.
  • Steep ginger as tea for the soothing warmth.
  • Ms. Christensen provides the following recipe for ginger tea: Make a ginger tonic by peeling and cutting fresh ginger into half-inch pieces and steeping in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes.  Ginger tea can be consumed hot or cold.
  • For additional ways to use ginver to prevent nausea, see Home Remedies For Life
• Consider using Queasy Pops or Queasy Drops which come in several different flavors and were developed by healthcare professionals.

Food And Drink Don'ts

• Food 
  • Do not eat big meals so your stomach will not feel too full. 
  • Do not lie flat for at least 2 hours after you've finished your meal.
  • Don't eat sweet, fried, spicy, heavy or fatty foods.
  • Don't undertake physical activity right after eating.
• Drink
  • Don't drink fizzy drinks and acid juices (such as orange juice).
  • Don't drink caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee, and many sodas.

Pressure On Your Forearm

Pressure to a particular point on the forearm (P6 acupoint on the wrist) has been shown to combat nausea and vomiting. Pressure can be applied by your fingers or by bands.

To find the pressure point, hold one arm out in front of you with the palm up. Locate the nausea pressure point by placing the middle three fingers of the other hand across the wrist, with the ring finger at the crease. The point is just after the index finger in the center of your forearm, between the two tendons you can feel through your skin.

To use your fingers: Using your thumb, place firm (but not uncomfortable) pressure on the point. It may take up to five minutes to experience relief.

Nausea bands: Are available in drug stores and on line (search in your favorite search engine on "Nausea bands"). While bands are convenient to use, they may not apply enough pressure to be effective but may be worth the try if you are having difficulty with using your fingers.

General

• Try to avoid odors or any smell that bothers you, such as cooking smells, smoke, or perfume.
• Distract yourself. For examle:
  • Talk with friends or family members 
  • Watch a movie or TV show.
  • Listen to soothing music.
• Try aromatherapy, for example with essential oil of ginger or the nonprescription product QueaseEASE.
• Breathe deeply and slowly when you feel nauseated.
• Consider music therapy either under the guidance of a certified music therapist or on your own.
  • To do music therapy on your own, listed to your favorite soothing music in a relaxed setting.
  • To find a certified music therapist, ask at your treatment center or look at the web site of the organization known as The Certification Board for Music Therapists,www.cbmt..or g. Click on "Find a Board Certified Music Therapist" or call 800.765.2268.

Relaxation techniques may be especially helpful with anticipatory nausea and vomiting. They are best used along with anti-emetic drugs. For example:

• Biofeedback
• Deep breathing
• Guided imagery
• Hypnotherapy (including self hypnosis)
• Massage therapy
• Music therapy
• Progressive muscle relaxation

NOTE: 

• Try to eat foods from the various food groups for good nutrition.
• Try to drink liquids to keep hydrated. Dehydration is a common problem that accompanies vomiting.

Please share how this information is useful to you. 0 Comments