Nausea or the feeling that you might be sick can be awful, it leaves you uncomfortable, can put you off your food and interrupts your daily routine and even your sleep, making you tired and potentially interfering with your relationships. The cause of nausea can be the result of a variety of sources from suffering an illness that affects your stomach and receiving cancer treatments such as radiotherapy to feelings of concern and anxiety, pregnancy or simply having eaten something that wasn’t cooked properly or was out of date.
Often, solving the cause of nausea is the best method for making the feeling go away and preventing it from coming back but sometimes this isn’t always possible for medical reasons. Where medical intervention is required, specialists may offer anti-sickness drugs known as antiemetics which reduce feelings of nausea or where possible, offer a treatment method that doesn’t influence such severe feelings of nausea such as proton beam therapy for cancer treatment. Feelings of nausea that are a side effect of receiving treatment can often be carefully managed so the impact on your life is reduced as much as possible
When nausea is related to feelings of concern or worry, being pregnant or you’ve simply eaten something that doesn’t quite sit right with you, these methods for getting rid of and easing feelings of nausea can provide much-needed relief and help you take back control over your day.
Ginger
Ginger is one of the most commonly recommended food substances to have when you are suffering from nausea and works well prepared in a variety of ways including ginger tea, ginger beer/ale and ginger biscuits. Ginger is best prepared in something to enjoy and studies are still being done into the effectiveness of purely dried ginger.
Ginger also includes a host of other benefits including improving circulation and reducing the feeling of menstrual cramps and further research is being carried out in the effectiveness of ginger in controlling blood sugar levels.
Peppermint
Peppermint has long been used across the world to provide soothing effects that help ease our mind and calm down when feeling stressed. Additional studies have shown that the scent of peppermint can also reduce feelings of nausea and can be enjoyed in peppermint tea or used as a low-intensity aromatic spray. Peppermint leaves have also been used to help with feelings of indigestion and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) as it aids in digestion by relaxing the stomach muscles.
Fizzy Drinks
Sugary, fizzy drinks when sipped gradually (not downed all at once) can also ease feelings of nausea or an upset stomach but you should make sure they don’t contain artificial sugars and are low in caffeine. Fizzy drinks may not work for everyone but can help to neutralise the acid in our stomachs which will reduce feelings of nausea. Try not to drink too many sugary fizzy drinks as they can be bad for your energy levels and teeth.
Acupressure
Acupressure is a commonly used method of dispelling the feelings of nausea experienced as a result of motion sickness. Acupressure works by applying pressure to certain points of the body – studies show the wrist is the most effective place for nausea – which then encourages the release of chemicals such as endorphins that help reduce feelings of pain and nausea. Acupressure and acupuncture – which uses needles rather than pressure – are different and while acupressure can be carried out at home safely, acupuncture should only be performed by a trained medical professional.
Acupressure bands are commonly available at pharmacies, health and beauty stores and travel stores and can simply be worn around the wrist to help provide relief from nausea.
No-one wants their day ruined by feeling nauseous and these tried and tested methods can help you get back on track and go about your regular routine without interference from an upset stomach.
