Coping with chemotherapy and nausea

Nausea and vomiting are less common side effects of chemotherapy today, thanks to newer drugs that don't cause this problem. And when these side effects do occur, they are much less severe and there are now better drugs to ease nausea as well. Talk to your doctor about these powerful anti-nausea drugs. Different drugs work for different people, and you may need more than one drug to get relief. Tell your doctor or nurse if you feel very nauseated or have vomited for more than a day, or if your vomiting is so bad that you cannot keep liquids down. You could become dehydrated.

What should you do if you're nauseous from chemotherapy?

• Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day instead of three large meals. (Nausea is often worse if your stomach is empty).
• Eat slowly, chew your food completely, and try to stay relaxed.
• Eat foods that are cold or are at room temperature. (The smell of hot or warm foods may make you more nauseous).
• Avoid eating foods that are hard to digest such as spicy foods or foods that are high in fat (including rich and creamy sauces).
• Rest after eating. If you need to lie down, keep your head elevated about 30 cm (12 inches) above your feet.
• If you feel nauseous when you first wake up, keep a box of crackers on your bedside table and eat a few before getting out of bed. Or, try eating a high-protein snack such as lean meat or cheese before going to bed (protein takes longer to digest).
• Instead of drinking beverages with your meals, drink beverages and other fluids between meals.
• Drink six to eight 240 ml (8 ounce) glasses of fluid (preferably water) per day to prevent dehydration. Choose cold beverages such as flat fizzy soft drinks or squash drinks. You can also choose ice cubes, lollipops, or jellies.
• Try to eat more food at a time of the day when you feel less nauseous.
• If you have been feeling nauseous, remember to tell your health care provider before each treatment session.
• Contact your health care provider if your nausea causes vomiting that is persistent or severe (if you can't keep fluids or foods down on a continual basis). Persistent vomiting can cause dehydration and should be treated immediately.
• If your health care provider prescribes an anti-nausea medication for you, take it at the times prescribed.

Can nausea or vomiting from chemotherapy harm my health?

Persistent vomiting from chemotherapy causes the body to lose large amounts of water and nutrients. If you are vomiting more than three times a day and you are not drinking enough fluids, you could become dehydrated. Dehydration is the loss of water from body tissues and it disturbs the balance of essential substances in your body. Dehydration can cause serious complications if it is not treated.

Seek medical advice if you are vomiting persistently and experience any of these signs of dehydration:

•  Dark urine
•  A small amount of urine
•  Rapid heart rate
•  Headaches
•  Dizziness when standing up
•  Flushed, dry skin
•  Coated tongue
•  Irritability and confusion
•  Persistent vomiting may reduce the effectiveness of medications if they have not yet been absorbed into your bloodstream. If persistent vomiting continues, your cancer treatment may be stopped temporarily. You may also be given fluids intravenously (through an IV drip in your vein) to help your body regain the nutrients it needs for energy.