Written by: Amanda Phillips
We've all felt nauseous at one time or another, but if you are living with a chronic condition or regular treatments, such as chemo, it can feel like the most constant and least welcome of companions. It can be a side effect of medication or treatment, or just part of what you get up and live with, but nausea makes functioning so hard. You are not alone, and there are things that can help take the edge off and make you a little more comfortable. Here are 10 tips and tricks that may help your nausea not be such a, well, nausea-inducing nightmare, based on what helped others in our community.
Ginger has been in action for several centuries as a remedy for nausea. Whether you have ginger in the form of tea, chews, or ale, its anti-nausea properties are a lifesaver. The only thing is to find ways of taking it that your stomach is gentle with. Quickly sipping ginger tea or having a ginger candy will provide quick relief.
Peppermint essential oil is another staple among remedies that cure nausea. The cooling and refreshing odor of it calms an upset stomach almost immediately. You can apply a drop or two to a cotton ball and gently inhale it or place a few drops in a diffuser for continuous relief. Some people find that placing diluted peppermint oil on their wrists or temples can also bring relief.
This may sound strange, but sniffing alcohol pads can provide immediate nausea relief. When patients start feeling any amount of nausea at the hospital, sometimes health professionals do this little trick, which also works just as effectively at home. Open up an alcohol pad and take a few light sniffs—very often this stops nausea cold in its tracks.
While dehydration can make nausea worse, overhydration—in other words, drinking too much water within a very short period—is often more noxious to your stomach. Try sipping water slowly throughout the day. If this does not work, you may want to try an electrolyte drink or an herbal tea with chamomile and peppermint to hydrate and soothe nausea. All you really have to do is remember to go slow—small sips are most times better than gulps of liquid.
It's when other remedies are no longer working their magic that many in the chronic illness community turn to BeWell's Nausea Tincture for symptom relief. This specially formulated herbal tincture has been designed to help one manage nausea, whether it's from medications, treatments, or just the ups and downs of chronic illness. The blend of natural herbs at work calms your digestive system and offers you a sense of relief when nausea feels relentless. Taken under the tongue, it is hard to underestimate the power of a few drops when one wants fast relief.
When you're feeling queasy, the last thing you want to do is eat—but a small, bland snack like crackers or dry toast can settle your stomach. These starchy foods help absorb stomach acid and take the edge off nausea. Just a few bites at a time can often do the trick. This worked for me when medication on an empty stomach made me feel nauseous.
If the nausea is severe or frequently recurring, it may be a good idea to speak with your doctor about prescription medication. A couple anti-nausea medications exist, like Zofran (ondansetron) or Phenergan, that may greatly help you manage more intense symptoms. Prescription medications may turn the tide at least for the worst of the nausea that keeps you from eating, sleeping, or simply living.
Acupressure works for some people, through the application of pressure on various points around the body. The most easily accessible of these is probably the P6 point, which is on the inner wrist. Sea-Bands are acupressure bands that press on this point and can provide continued relief from nausea, especially due to motion sickness or chemotherapy-induced nausea.
A cold compress on the back of the neck or forehead can help alleviate nausea. The coolness soothes your body and may make you feel less hot or dizzy, as is often associated with one's nausea. Even a cool washcloth can be relieving, especially if you're in one of those situations where you need to feel better right away.
Simple as it may sound, deep breathing can work wonders when one feels queasy. Shallow breaths calm the nervous system and can help diminish any feelings of panic or anxiety, which generally exacerbate nausea. Try taking deep inhalations through your nose, holding for a few seconds, and then exhaling slowly out through the mouth. Repeat this for a few minutes to try to see if it helps to minimize the discomfort. Do not try to take deep breaths quickly, this can turn into hyperventilation.
Nausea can indeed be very frustrating, but there are many tools and tricks that you can at least give a try to manage it. Be it trying some natural remedies like peppermint oil and ginger, using BeWell's Nausea Tincture, or seeking medical help with prescription medications, it is all about finding what works best for your body. You also don't need to suffer through nausea silently. Take control of these symptoms with some practical tips.
And, of course, what works for one doesn't work for another, so it is always handy to have a few on standby in your nausea-relief toolkit. Be kind to yourself, and don't worry about reaching out to your healthcare provider for more support if you need it.
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