The Effect of Aromatherapy on Hemodialysis-Related Nausea: A Case Report

Abstract

BACKGROUND: After hemodialysis, complications may occur and one of them that problematic is hemodialysis-related nausea. Information is still unclear about aromatherapy concerning nausea-related to hemodialysis. This study aimed to describe the effect of aromatherapy on nausea after hemodialysis procedures. CASE PRESENTATION: A 51-year-old female, undergoing routine hemodialysis, experienced severe hemodialysis-related nausea. Her nausea occurred a day after dialysis and existed for 3–4 days and this repeated as a cycle that affected her appetite, food intake, and general condition. The daily measurements of nausea used the visual analog scale and the nausea severity scale before and after the intervention. In addition, a manual book with a packet containing nausea education, protocol of intervention, and monitoring sheets, was provided. For two weeks, the application of two drops of lavender aromatherapy was given on a humid cotton swab and inhaled for 5 min. In addition, education explained oral hygiene using warm water when waking up in the morning and before eating food. There was a decrease in the intensity of nausea from severe to none based on daily measurements and from severe nausea (score: 21) to moderate nausea (score: 10) after the 2-weeks intervention. Thus, the patient could enjoy eating without any uncomfortable feeling of nausea. CONCLUSION: Lavender aromatherapy was demonstrated as a complementary therapy in overcoming nausea after dialysis among CKD patients. This report could provide a novel therapeutic modality for hemodialysis patients suffering hemodialysis-related nausea.