NATURAL REMEDIES TO HELP MANAGE NAUSEA
Radiotherapy
is a localised treatment, so
unlike treatments such as chemotherapy
or hormone therapy
it only causes
side
effects related to the
specific area that is being treated. This means that only
patients that are having radiotherapy
treatment to their
stomach, liver or intestines region may experience
nausea
(sickness). If you are likely
to experience nausea your doctor will prescribe some
anti-sickness
(anti-emetic) medication for you. Some radiotherapy
patients like to use natural
alternatives either
instead of, or in conjunction with those that have been
prescribed for them. Below are some of the most commonly
used natural anti-sickness
remedies that you may
find of benefit.
GINGER
Grated natural root ginger, can be used to make herbal tea, by steeping the ginger in boiled water. You can purchase ginger tea, already made up in tea bag form. Many of our patients have found much relief from mild nausea through using the organic tea bags shown in the link to the left of this page. Slowly sip the tea throughout the day, for maximum benefit.
For those of you with a sweeter tooth natural ginger can also be found in crystalised forms, or contained inside ginger biscuits.
It is also possible to buy ginger extract in capsule form, which many patients find easier and more convenient to take. The ones shown in the link to the left are particularly effective as they are time release, meaning they help to ease nausea symptoms throughout the day.
(Do not use ginger as an anti-sickness remedy if you are taking prescribed anti-coagulant drugs such as aspirin, as this could have an adverse effect on your medication.)
PEPPERMINT
Many patients find that forms of peppermint and spearmint, can help to ease their symptoms of nausea. You can try sipping peppermint or spearmint tea throughout the day, or try using peppermint sweets or mints. Peppermint or spearmint essential oils, can also be of great benefit to some patients, but others have found the smell of the oils too strong. We have decided not to recommend any specific mint products, as these are widely available in most supermarkets, and our patients have not reported any marked differences between the brands.
OTHER REMEDIES
Other natural remedies that some patients find beneficial include drinking Lemon Balm Tea, or small quantities of Chamomile tea, throughout the day. We have provided a link for the purchase of Lemon Balm Tea, if you choose to try this as an alternative, as it is not always widely available in supermarkets.
You may need to experiment to discover which natural remedy works best for you.
Written: 01/05/2010
Reviewed: 11/10/2010