Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of certain chemotherapy medications. Cells that line the stomach are rapidly growing much like cancer cells. When patients receive chemotherapy, it cannot tell the difference between good and bad cells. The result includes damage to the lining of the stomach, which produces nausea and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy remains difficult to treat and requires several strategies. A study published in the "Cancer" journal showed that more than 35 percent of patients had nausea despite treatments with anti-nausea medications before chemotherapy.
Hydration
Staying hydrated remains extremely important to preventing nausea and vomiting. The Mayo Clinic recommends drinking small amounts of water, fruit juice or tea throughout the day. Drinking large amounts at one time could cause nausea. Patients should avoid fluids that contain caffeine such as soda and coffee, because caffeine will make the body lose more fluid. Sucking on ice chips or popsicles will help with hydration if drinking fluids becomes too difficult.
Medications
Numerous medications exist to prevent nausea and vomiting. The Mayo Clinic lists Zofran, Aloxi, Kytril, Decadron, Reglan, Compazine, Haldol as nausea preventing medications. Other medications include Phenegran, Marinol, Emend, Anzimet, and Cesamet. Adjunct medications are drugs that do not prevent nausea and vomiting but can decrease discomfort and are taken with nausea medications. These medications include Ativan, Xanax, Benadryl, Scopolamine, and Valium.
Small Meals
The Mayo Clinic suggests grazing or eating small meals throughout the day. Eating and drinking slowly throughout the day will keep food in the stomach and actually lessen nausea. Patients should avoid eating large meals or skipping meals if possible because they can increase nausea. It proves also important to avoid lying down directly after a meal.
Food/Odor Avoidance
Strong odors can trigger nausea and vomiting. So it proves best to avoid foods or situations where odors may be strong. Cancer Care's guide to "Coping with Nausea and Vomiting from Chemotherapy" recommends avoiding fatty, sweet and fried foods. Patients should also avoid foods that produce gas and rich foods. Food and odor triggers differ from person to person, but avoiding these foods/odors proves a general rule for those undergoing chemotherapy.
Alturnative Therapies
The Core Curriculum for Oncology Nursing suggests relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, guided imagery, listening to music and distraction as techniques that can decrease discomfort with nausea. Acupressure, acupuncture and massage may also ease discomfort.
References
- Cancer Care: Coping with Nausea and Vomiting from Chemotherapy
- Mayo Clinic: Chemotherapy Nausea and Vomiting
- "Cancer"; Incidence of Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Emesis after Modern Antiemetics; May 2004
