Sunday, February 19, 2012

When the Nausea Creeps In

One of the most unsettling symptoms (literally) of gastroparesis is nausea.  It can be hard to explain why we are fine one moment and then next sick with the stomach spins.  Yesterday, as my husband and I were out running errands, laughing about something on the radio, it hit me like an unforeseen tsunami.  I could only compare it to the feeling of just stepping off the tilt-a-whirl at the amusement park, spinning as though the blood had rushed out of my body.

So, what can we do in these situations?  My best advice is to, one, be prepared with a tummy toolkit, and two, practice deep breathing and relaxation techniques. Yesterday I popped in a ginger chew and took some slow, deep breaths of the Quease Ease.  Here are some additional tools and information to prevent this feeling from taking over.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Spice Remedies Part II: Love Affair with Cilantro

Exploring the digestive benefits of spices is a journey I began years ago and still often turn to when preparing food.  From smoothies to soups, herbs and spices can be used to create much more than flavor. This series began months ago in Part 1: Cardamom Cures and to this day happens to be the most popular and viewed post!  So, this got me thinking, maybe its time to continue looking at ways to enhance flavor and digestion.  Continuing with C's, next on the list is my love for coriander/cilantro.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Feeding Tube Awareness and Update

This week, from Feb 5-11, is Feeding Tube Awareness Week.  The goal is to raise awareness of enteral/tube feeding as a positive and often life-saving medical intervention for those who are unable to eat and drink enough to sustain life and thrive.  I never imagined my life would turn out this way, having a feeding tube that is.  In the beginning I was scared and sad, not understanding how it came to this. Today I am thankful because it saved my life.  Though it is not a cure for GP, it has provided me with a temporary solution and enough strength and energy to stay healthy, an option I did not have prior to the tube.