Firstly, always talk with your healthcare provider about symptoms such as chronic nausea. Your healthcare provider will investigate other causes of nausea such as gastric reflux, gallbladder or liver disease, peptic ulcer disease etc.
Why nausea ?
This nausea business is extremely confusing. Is it related to menopause or lifestyle? Surely you feel nauseous because you lead such a hectic life with work deadlines, fractious family members, money worries, skipping meals and that extra glass of wine at dinner?
But all sorts of women report chronic nausea. Some healthcare specialists believe this may be caused by lower progesterone levels.Perhaps this is because progesterone opposes the action of prostaglandins, substances that increase pain and inflammation symptoms such as headaches and nausea.
Indeed, many women have found relief with progesterone therapy. But progesterone brings its own problems, particularly if you are predisposed to high blood pressure or edema. Consult your healthcare provider.
What can you do?
This is the time to bring out the old cures from Grandma’s cupboard.
Women who experienced chronic nausea in pregnancy usually find that what worked then, still works now. Old favourites like dry biscuits, (crackers) rice bubbles, warm milk or black tea with lemon have reappeared.
Try a cup of boiling water with 2-5 teaspoons lemon juice. Sip it slowly.
Ginger is also helpful but, once again, some women experience further stomach problems using ginger, so be cautious if this is your first time. I’ve seen hints on adding ginger to food, but, apart from the aversion to earing while nauseous, who wants to hang over the stove while in this condition? Make a drink instead. Cut off a slice of root and seep it in boiling water for ginger tea. Add some mint if you wish. (Some shops sell ginger tea-bags – have a look, there could be some other herbal teas to take your fancy) Or try some old fashioned Ginger Beer.
Rice water. Boil 1/2 cup of rice in 1 cup of water for about 20 minutes. After it’s boiled, drain the water into a cup and sip it.
Peppermint absorbs intestinal gas and calms upset stomach. Try some tea.
You could also try the pressure point between the thumb and forefinger.
If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation and keep plenty of fresh water going through your body. Keep jugs of chilled water handy. Try to visualise your stomach being flushed of the alcohol before you hop into bed.
Smoking irritates your stomach. If you smoke, stop, or, at least, cut down. I know you’ve heard this a thousand times, but this is the time to stop. You simply cannot be a smoking old lady. Think about it. I know how hard it is, I’m still fighting a terrible tobacco addiction.
Any suggestions for handling nausea?