Nausea

[Guest guest]

Laurie,

You wrote, " The nausea is so bad that it wakes me up at night. "

Gastric & /or esophageal reflux can cause nausea. This occurs more frequently

when a person is lying flat or with the head of the bed down. Sometimes,

reflux is noticeable from an acidic taste in the mouth or a burning throat, but

sometimes, the only symptom is nausea. Some people find that using an extra

pillow or even a foam wedge can relieve this nocturnal nausea.

There has been much talk about the use of enzymes in the prevention of

nausea, but the administration of an " antacid " can also be very helpful. There

are

many different kinds. I take Prilosec, which is available by prescription or

OTC. The lining of your stomach produces acid through millions of tiny acid

pumps. When you eat, these pumps switch on to produce the acid that breaks

down food. This can result in nausea. Prilosec works by directly blocking many

of these active pumps. Prilosec is a once daily dosing so it covers during

the night.

In addition to inhibiting the proton pumps with medication, I also take

caution to avoid eating acidic, spicy, or fatty foods, such as citrus fruits,

chocolate, peppermint, tomatoes or tomato-based products, raw onions, garlic,

black pepper, vinegar and fatty or spicy foods. I also avoid caffeinated

beverages. There are several herbs that I use in teas, immersions, moist packs

/

soaks, and even baths, to augment the Zofran and Prilosec. They are: licorice

root, fennel seed, garcina fruit, ginger root, and dandelion root. These

herbs support digestive function, build up Agni, our immune system, by

cleansing

the internal organs, and burn up Ama, undigested food and toxins, by aiding

in aid in elimination.

Physical things I do to help minimize the nausea is lie on my right side.

The purpose in this is to facilitate natural drainage of the stomach by working

with the body's anatomy. If you visualize the body, food goes into your

mouth, down you esophagus, into the stomach. It exits on the right hand side of

your stomach, into the duodenum. That way the food doesn't have to go uphill

to get out of your stomach. Maintaining good posture while eating, preferably

all the time, will help tremendously. Because I am so prone to sitting at the

computer, my shoulders tend to hunch, if I am not cautious. I have an

exercise ball that I use to stretch my back on. This hyperextends my trunk and

improves gastric motility. It also expands my lungs, and when my body is better

oxygenated, I have less nausea. That is why I also have a set of breathing

exercises I do.

You can try acupressure to minimize any nausea. Place the tip of your right

index finger on the underside of your left wrist, about 1.5 in. (3.8 cm) from

your hand. Apply moderate pressure for 2 to 3 minutes. Repeat as needed.

Don't forget about your environment. Smells that used to not bother us can

begin to upset our stomachs when we are sick. The obvious ones are nail and

hair salons. I used to be able to go to them regularly, and now I get very

nauseated when I am just near one, much less in one. The odor of certain foods

cooking can make me sick. I buy everything without added fragrance. I don't wear

perfume or use any room deodorizer. On the flip side, there are certain

herbs that can be used as aromatherapies, to treat nausea, not cause it.

Kimber,

the California State Chapter Representative, uses this form of complimentary

alternative therapy as part of her healthcare regimen, quite successfully.

Lastly, I practice visualization and manifestation. I believe that the world

operates on the principle of attraction. You receive what you put out, or

think about. The classic example of this is when I was pregnant, I began seeing

pregnant women every where I went. When I was buying my car, decided on, I

saw that car and model on every street. It's bazaar. The same thing happens

inside your body. When you have your mind set on being in pain or being

nauseated, it will see, and be in pain, and see and be nausea. The body

believes

what it is told. Therefore, I do not allow myself to consider the possibility

of

being nauseated. I see the food I eat, celebrated by my body, the cells

rejoicing as they become filled with nutrition and health. I breath in fresh

air,

filling my lungs with oxygen, breathing out all toxins that would cause me

to fill sick. I release them, holding only on to those vitanutrients that give

me life, well-being, and peace.

Keeping you in thought & prayer,

Karyn E. , RN,

Exec. Director PAI / 1-

KarynWms@...

http://www.pancassociation.org