Many patients experience nausea and vomiting at some time during the treatment process as one of the side effects of the chemotherapy and radiation. Contrary to what most people think, nausea and vomiting have little to do with your stomach. They are involuntary actions controlled by certain centers in your brain. Willpower alone cannot stop nausea and vomiting.
A number of things can trigger nausea and vomiting.
- Chemotherapy agents
- Radiation
- Persistent pain
- Poor kidney and liver function
- Medications, such as some narcotics
- Infections of the gastrointestinal tract
- Electrolyte disturbances
Just as medicine has advanced against cancer itself, great progress has been made in preventing and treating nausea and vomiting. Some patients have little or no nausea and vomiting and keep eating during most of the treatment process.
Antinausea (anti-emetic) medications are often started before radiation and chemotherapy and then continued on a regular schedule. If you have not vomited, the medication is working.
Many anti-emetics can make you feel tired or sleepy. However, some people feel jittery and restless.
Your goals
- Prevent or manage nausea and vomiting.
- Take antinausea medicines.
- Maintain nutrition and fluid intake.
- Call for professional help when needed.
Urgent signs and symptoms- Call the clinic or hospital operator NOW
- Uncontrolled (constant) nausea and vomiting
- Blood or “coffee ground” appearing material in the vomit
- Medicine not kept down because of vomiting
- Weakness or dizziness, along with nausea/vomiting
- Severe stomach pain while vomiting
Important signs and symptoms to report to your doctor or nurse
- Nausea that persists even when taking antinausea medicines
- Vomit that shoots out for a distance (projectile vomiting)
What you can do at home
- Take your antinausea medicine as instructed before nausea starts.
- Prior to chemotherapy, lie down in a quiet place for 15-20 minutes to relax.
- Wear loose fitting clothing.
- Use distraction, relaxation, or deep-breathing techniques such as tapes, visualization or hypnosis techniques. Try breathing through your mouth.
- Keep your mouth clean. Rinse with water often.
- Rest in a chair after eating, keeping head elevated.
- Some antinausea medicines can cause drowsiness or sleepiness. Do not drive a car or operate any dangerous equipment when you are taking them. Also because of the drowsiness, it is advisable to have your caregiver stay with you throughout this treatment period.
- Do not drink alcohol while taking antinausea medicines.
- Maintain nutrition and fluid intake.
- Eat small meals throughout the day so stomach is not too full.
- Eat and drink slowly so only small amounts enter your stomach at one time.
- Avoid eating and drinking one hour before and one hour after chemotherapy.
- Drink cool, clear fruit juices.
- Eat dry toast or crackers to help ease nausea.
- Avoid odors that bother you. If food smells make you sick, avoid being in the kitchen when food is being prepared.
- Avoid extreme temperatures in your food.
- Keep a wide choice of foods available.
Call for professional help when needed
- If the antinausea medicine does not control your nausea, call your nurse. Different medications may control the nausea better.
- If the medicines make you nervous, jittery, or cause any unusual sensations, let your nurse know.
- Do not increase the amount of medicine you take without checking with the nurse, doctor, or pharmacist.
- Do not take any additional over-the-counter (OTC) medications without checking first with your nurse, doctor or pharmacist.
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