Dealing With Nausea

I'm certain that we have all felt nausea at some point in our journey with endometriosis. It is a horrible feeling of wanting to be sick - sometimes followed by vomiting, sometimes not. It can be caused by a whole variety of things related to endometriosis, including pain, hormones, medication, constipation, and menstruation. It can also be a symptom of pregnancy, other illnesses and, infections.

If you don't usually feel nauseous, or are at all concerned, please speak to a doctor or healthcare provider. The doctor may ask if you are experiencing any other symptoms, for example: abdominal pain, fatigue, problems going to the toilet, or anxiety. You can then be given medication (if required), referred on to another department for investigation, or receive some simple reassurance.

Here are some tips that may help you tackle an onset of nausea:

Anti-sickness medication

A doctor may be able to prescribe you anti-sickness medication or suggest something over the counter that you can take to calm the feeling of nausea. These medications can be in tablet, capsule, injection, or IV (intravenous) form and some can work quicker and/or more effectively than others. There are a lot of different types of drugs that can help, so please speak to your healthcare provider if you are at all unsure or feel you need to take something.

Eating and drinking

My nausea always swings one of two ways: I either cannot eat at all or it makes me want to eat as much as possible to get rid of it! If you do feel you can manage some food, bland foods (such as dry toast, crackers, and clear broths), protein-rich foods, or starchy foods (such as rice, potatoes and bananas) are all good suggestions. Try to avoid any heavy, strongly flavored, very sweet or greasy foods or meals, and try to eat little but often. Taking sips of water, herbal tea or, sometimes, fizzy drinks can all help too, especially if you are experiencing dehydration.

Natural remedies

There are many natural remedies that can be used as an alternative to anti-sickness drugs. Some include cold compresses, ginger, chamomile, peppermint, citrus, fennel, cumin, cinnamon, vitamin B6, oils, acupuncture, or acupressure. As with anything, though, please speak to your healthcare provider to check these are safe for you to try as some remedies can interfere with other medical conditions and medications.

Distraction

Sometimes, nausea can be all consuming, but trying to distract your mind can be a useful tactic. Try listening to music, watching a movie or television, talking, or doing some light housework.

Rest and exercise

When I'm nauseous, I sometimes sit as still as I can because I think moving might make me feel worse! But getting out in the fresh air or sitting yourself in front of a cooling fan or an open window can help. Try taking deep breaths and relaxing your whole body. Meditation, yoga, and other gentle exercise such as going for a walk can also help.

I hope you find some of these tips helpful and that your nausea passes quickly!