Help with gagging!!!

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I am embarrassed to even post this but maybe someone has some suggestions that will help. I can't seem to fight my gag reflex at the most inopportune times. I am a new nursing grad and afraid at what might make me gag. Please help with any suggestions.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, Neuro/Trauma stepdown.

i've heard, (and tested, found to be true), that smiling inhibits the gag reflex. i looked up during a clinical day once to see my partner with this total **** eating grin on her face.... and this is what she told me, just the sight of it all had me cracking up, but i haven't forgot this tidbit!

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Try Vicks up your nose, this also inhibits the gag reflex as well as blocking the smell.

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I can agree with the smiling technique because my roommate has the same problem and she said that it has worked wonders

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Specializes in oncology.

I also have a hard time with gagging, but i have found that breathing through my mouth (it being barely visibly open so as not to embarass myself), works like a charm. Also if you are adept at holding your breath for long periods of time, this is good, so long as you do not pass out.

Good luck.

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.

Vicks? No thanks. Hate that stuff.

Generally I've found I can tolerate even the worst of worst smells. But on days I don't feel like challenging myself - I hold my breath or pop some Altoids before heading in and then temporarily switch to mouth breathing....

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Specializes in Geriatric and now peds!!!!.

a little vicks or peppermint oil works wonder for me.

Wendy

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I do Altoids and a whole heckuva lot of mouth breathing some days! But, in time, your gag reflex will decrease although some things will still set you off. Everything made me gag as a new grad but since being "seasoned", the only thing that makes me heave is puke. :)

I'll have to try smiling as I hadn't heard of that one! Haha....

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LOL. This is a major problem for me now. I have such bad morning sickness now. Real bad and the days I'm functioning enough to go into work.....Yikes. I've started using the vicks and it works most of the time. Will need to try the smiling thing. The mints sometimes work.

Funny thing is that this is the 4th baby (all with real bad MS) and I've been a nurse for 10+ yrs and its just now really bad.

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i've heard, (and tested, found to be true), that smiling inhibits the gag reflex. i looked up during a clinical day once to see my partner with this total **** eating grin on her face.... and this is what she told me, just the sight of it all had me cracking up, but i haven't forgot this tidbit!

For real? Are you pulling my chain? It's too funny to be true.

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