[pct-l] Nausia

[Bob Bankhead]

Loss of appetite is common for the first week or so until your body adjusts to the stress and changes induced by the trail, then your appetite returns - with a vengance. A certain degree of nausea caused by anxiety, dehydration, exertion, and a change in menu and eating habits is commonplace.

Severe nausea is not normal. See your doctor. He can give you prescriptions to reduce the anxiety and stop the nausea dead in its tracks.

You can help yourself. Plan trail meals and snacks that actually taste good to you. Anticipation is part of appetite. Salivate your way to supper, rather than dreading facing yet another industrial strength cardboard-tasting freeze dried meal. Fresh vegetables like raw carrots make great snacks and keep for several days in your pack.; Fresh fruit is bulky and doesn't travel as well as harder veggies, but can make a real difference on a long up-hill. Motivate yourself with the promise of a nice juicy nectarine at the top. Dried fruits, while tasty and certainly better travellers and less apt to spoil, just can't compare. 

To help maintain proper salt balance in your body, add hydration packs (such as Emergen-C,or Crystal Lite On-The-Go HYDRATION [not the regular on-the-go stuff; must say "Hydration"]) to your drinking water. You get a bit of flavor plus the extra sodium, potassium, and magnesium you need. Upset that balance and you will get nauseated from that alone. 

Wandering Bob




----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ken and Wanda Brimmer 
  To: Pct-l at backcountry.net 
  Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2010 5:57 PM
  Subject: [pct-l] Nausia


  I need some advice.  I am section hiking the JMT.  My problem is that I get severe nausea.  I lose my appetite the minute I hit the trail.  I force myself to eat but still lose about a pound a day.  I drink lots of water to stay hydrated.  Any ideas that might settle my stomach and put a smile back on my face?  
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