Nausea as a Side Effect of Cancer Medications
It’s true, stomach upset and vomiting are a possibility with cancer treatments. Thanks to ongoing research, therapies for cancer have come a long way over the years. In comparison, the effectiveness has increased greatly while the most common side effects, nausea, and vomiting, have decreased.
Unfortunately, these side effects are still present and can hinder treatment. Therefore, vomiting must be prevented or treated so that cancer medications can be tolerated and continued as scheduled.
Luckily, there are several pre-medications that can prevent these symptoms before they start such as Zofran or Phenergan. However, it’s recommended that the patient eat easily digestible foods before treatment.
Other suggestions to reduce digestive discomfort and vomiting are listed in the chart below.
Eating tips during cancer treatment to avoid queasiness
| Eat small, frequent meals | (being over full=nausea) |
| Eat slowly | small bites |
| Chew thoroughly | |
| Eat room food at room temp. | |
| Avoid spicy or aromatic foods |
Gut soothing tricks for gut churning during chemotherapy
If unsure, eating a bland or BRAT diet (Banana, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) is usually a safe choice.
· Keep crackers on hand and especially upon getting out of bed for morning nausea. Also, eating protein just before bed slows digestion and decreases queasiness when you wake up.
· Stay hydrated, 6-8 8oz glasses of water is preferred but whatever fluids that can be kept down will help.
· Clear liquid diets are also gentle on the digestive system (clear soda, thin soup broth, popsicles and gelatin).
· Try to avoid drinking during meals. Instead, drink after meal to avoid what’s known as the Dumping syndrome. This is when the body eliminated food almost immediately after it’s eaten.
If you don’t have nausea, EAT!
Obvious, right? However, you should note when you are or aren’t nauseous. And, take advantage of periods of less nausea to increase intake.
Of course, always notify your physician of any of the following –
- Increase in nausea and vomiting
- Inability to keep anything down
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Confusion
- Changes in urination
- Heart palpitations
In extreme cases, intravenous fluids are needed to restore hydration. This is why notifying your healthcare provider is so important.
Lastly, be proactive and keep in continual contact with your healthcare team. Let them know any changes in your condition. Doing this, allows you all to work as a team to give you the best chance at recovery.
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Getting Rid of Chemotherapy Nausea
REFERENCES
Coping with Chemotherapy: Compassionate Advice and Authoritative Information from a Chemotherapy Survivor [Nancy Bruning].
