Understanding Nausea and How Gilbride Pharmacy Can Help

Nausea is a common and unpleasant sensation, often described as the urge to vomit, though it doesn't always lead to actually being sick. It's not an illness in itself, but rather a symptom of various underlying conditions. At Gilbride Pharmacy, we're here to help you understand and manage your nausea.

What Causes Nausea?

Nausea can arise from many different issues, and identifying the cause is key to effective management. Common culprits include:

• Motion Sickness: Disruption to your inner ear's balance system, often during travel.

• Migraines: Severe headaches that can trigger various symptoms, including nausea.

• Pregnancy: Commonly known as "morning sickness," though it can occur at any time of day.

• Infections: Such as viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) or food poisoning.

• Pain: Intense pain from various conditions.

• Medication Side Effects: Many drugs can list nausea as a potential side effect.

• Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Leading to an upset stomach.

• Other Conditions: Including dizziness, chemotherapy, or in rare cases, conditions like bulimia.

Recognising the Symptoms

Nausea itself is an uncomfortable feeling in the upper stomach and chest, rather than a painful one. It often appears alongside other symptoms, such as:

• Vomiting

• Headaches

• Fever

• Dizziness or light-headedness

• Abdominal pain or discomfort

• Diarrhoea

• Gas

Treatment Options at Gilbride Pharmacy

At Gilbride Pharmacy, we offer various options to help manage your nausea:

• NHS Pharmacy First Service: For many common causes of nausea, a number of effective treatment options are available free of charge through the NHS Pharmacy First service. Our pharmacists can assess your symptoms and, if suitable, provide appropriate medication and advice.

• Private Nausea Service (Metoclopramide): If your symptoms require a stronger intervention or if treatments available through NHS Pharmacy First are not suitable, we can offer Metoclopramide through our private nausea service. This medication works by helping your gut move contents along, which can be particularly useful for nausea linked to digestive issues or migraines.

Our Recommended Dosing for Metoclopramide (Private Service):

• The recommended single dose is 10 mg, taken up to three times a day.

• To ensure safety and prevent overdose, it's crucial to leave at least 6 hours between each dose, even if you've been sick or rejected a previous dose.

Important Information on Metoclopramide Treatment Duration (Private Service):

• This treatment should not be used for more than 2 days.

• If your nausea symptoms persist beyond this time, please see your GP for further advice.

• Under our current guidelines, we can only supply Metoclopramide for nausea once a month, and a maximum of three times per year via our private service. If you find you need nausea treatment more frequently, we will refer you to your GP or another healthcare professional to determine the suitability of ongoing treatment.

When to See Your GP

Occasional nausea that resolves quickly is usually not a concern. For instance, if your nausea is due to motion sickness or too much alcohol, it should pass once the cause is removed. However, you should consult your GP if:

• You experience persistent nausea with no clear cause.

• You have severe accompanying symptoms, such as:

  • Vomiting blood

  • Severe abdominal pain

  • Headaches with neck stiffness

  • Signs of dehydration (e.g., reduced urination, extreme thirst, dizziness)

• Your nausea is persistent and unrelated to pregnancy.

Preventing Nausea

While not all cases of nausea are preventable, managing triggers can significantly reduce discomfort. If your nausea is manageable, consider these self-help tips:

• Opt for smaller, more frequent meals.

• Avoid heavy, hard-to-digest, or very spicy foods.

• Choose cold foods if strong warm aromas trigger your nausea.

• Eat slowly and mindfully.

• Rest with your head elevated (about 12 inches above your feet) after eating.

• Sip liquids between meals rather than during them.

Nausea During Pregnancy

For those experiencing morning sickness, healthcare providers typically recommend dietary and lifestyle adjustments before considering medication. If these changes aren't effective or if sickness is severe, your GP or midwife may suggest a short course of medication.

Visit Us at Gilbride Pharmacy

If you have concerns about nausea or need advice on suitable treatments, please don't hesitate to visit us. Our friendly team is here to help and can provide guidance on managing your symptoms, whether through NHS Pharmacy First or our private service. Simply walk in during our opening hours, or contact us to discuss your needs.