A New Kind of ReliefBand …
by Vicky Herrera RN

Technology never ceases to amaze me! Have you used "ReliefBand" to ease your patient's nausea and vomiting? If you work at a surgicenter, this might be old news for you but this is all new to me until I saw this electrical device, slightly larger than a men's watch and worn like one, and used to relieve an out patient's post operative nausea and vomiting. And effective too!

What is ReliefBand?

The ReliefBand Device is a Class 11 electronic medical device that is non drug, non invasive prescription treatment for nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, pregnancy and as an adjunct to treat post operative nausea. Since these conditions are managed by a physician, the Reliefband must be prescribed by the physician so that:

I t can maximize its full potential as a therapeutic regimen
The prescription ReliefBand has a higher power output

Your physician needs to asses and monitor your response to the treatment . Persistent nausea and vomiting may be an indication of a more serious condition
Although Reliefband provides relief for motion and morning sickness and is available without prescription for these

conditions, it is advisable to check with physician before use to rule out presence of any other serious condition.

How does it work?

When certain areas in the central nervous system and gastro intestinal tract are stimulated, nausea starts and sends signals in the nausea and vomiting control centers in the brain causing an erratic stomach . The ReliefBand works by using gently stimulating electronic pulses on a nerve on the underside of your wrist which then interrupts the nausea signaling process between the stomach and the brain, thus calms gastric activity and relieves nausea. It is easy to use, quick, non drug, safe and gives the patient control.

What are the precautions?
1) Keep out reach of children
2) Should only be used on designated areas (wrist)
3) It is not curative and use under medical supervision unless not indicated
4) Cause of nausea needs to be diagnosed first before use
5) Always seek medical attention if symptoms continue
6) Outcome may vary depending on patient's characteristics and use of other medications.
7) For pacemaker patients, use device as directed in the wrist,