Queasy Does It: Dealing With IBD Nausea
Nausea is a symptom that is all too common for those with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Unfortunately it comes with the diagnosis and must be dealt with regularly.
For me, in particular, I have dealt with nausea in many different ways since my diagnosis in 2011. Let's discuss the different types of nausea that can come with an IBD diagnosis.
Crohn's and UC nausea – the many types and causes
Nausea from pain
One of the worst ways nausea can onset is when it comes from abdominal pain and cramping. The pain is the catalyst and this sort of nausea in particular can be hard to get through. It hits you so hard and you often end up vomiting. Your stomach feels sour and heavy. It's overwhelming and makes it hard to move about, you are almost left feeling paralyzed.
Nausea from bowel movements
Have you ever been sitting on the toilet in the middle of a horrid flare and start to feel nauseous from the horrible pain you are experiencing in having a bowel movement? If so, you aren't alone. I have lost count on how many times I would sit on the toilet and also have a trash can on my lap in order to vomit due to intense nausea.
Nausea from the smell of food or eating
When you are in the thick of flaring, certain foods and certain food smells can send you into a horrible spell of nausea. Just smelling a whiff of scrambled eggs could do me in. I don't know what it was, but the smell of eggs during a bad flare would almost send me vomiting. Honestly, just the smell of any type of strong-smelling food could send me to the bathroom gagging. You just get so sensitive when you are flaring. Intense, overwhelming smells can set you off.
And my favorite: surprise nausea!
And of course, sometimes you feel nauseous for no reason at all. It just hits you out of the blue and you have to lay down in order to get through it. Or you try to throw up in the bathroom to see if you feel better. In my opinion, this type could be the worse. There is no rhyme or reason. It just comes on and leaves you wondering as to why it began, and it is always intense.
So what can we do to help get us through IBD nausea?
My biggest tip is to use a high-quality peppermint essential oil. I bought one that is meant to be applied to the skin topically and it does wonders for me. Whenever I get nauseous, I apply the oil to my abdomen, about 3-6 drops and the almost-instant relief I feel is impressive.
I have also heard that peppermint tea is incredibly soothing for nausea, along with chamomile and ginger tea. Also, these options come in capsule form, too.
In addition, resting, using a heating pad, and napping can also be incredibly helpful to get you through the episode of nausea. But again, my top tip would be to use peppermint essential oil.
What about you? Have you experienced any of these forms of nausea? If so, do you have any tips you would like to add for managing these symptoms? Comment below.
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