Managing nausea and vomiting
What causes nausea and vomiting?
The brain controls nausea and vomiting. Nausea is controlled by autonomic nerves, which control involuntary bodily functions such as heartbeat and breathing. Various irritants such as smells, taste, anxiety, pain, motion or digestive chemicals can trigger a vomiting center in the brain to initiate vomiting as a reflex. Many factors influence whether a person will experience nausea and vomiting. Some chemotherapy drugs are more likely to cause reactions than others. Females and persons under the age of 50 are more likely to experience nausea and vomiting. People who are prone to motion sickness or anxiety are more likely to react to chemotherapy with nausea and vomiting.
Managing nausea and vomiting
Sometimes, a combination of antinausea drugs and alternative therapies will help to minimize nausea and vomiting. It is very important to maintain the proper electrolyte balance and to ensure that vomiting does not deplete the body of important nutrients. Report vomiting that lasts more than a day to your physician.
The following tips are for dealing with nausea and vomiting.
Eating and drinking
- Eat and drink slowly.
- Drink liquids frequently and in small amounts.
- Eat many small meals throughout the day instead of three full meals.
- Avoid strong smells by eating food that is cold or at room temperature.
- Drink clear, unsweetened fruit juice or light-colored, non-caffeinated soda.
- If you are nauseous in the morning, keep dry foods such as cereal or crackers at your bedside and eat them before you get up (but not if you have throat or mouth sores or a lack of saliva).
- Do not eat sweet, fatty or fried foods.
- Savor mints or tart candies (but nothing tart if you have mouth sores).
- Chew your food well to help with digestion.
- Drink an hour before or after, instead of with, each meal.
- Rest but do not lie down for at least several hours after eating.
Eating before treatment
- A light meal before treatment is helpful unless you become nauseated during chemotherapy. If nausea is a problem, do not eat for at least several hours before treatment.
Other tips
- Your physician or nurse practitioner may prescribe antinausea medications. Keep your physician and nurses informed as to their effectiveness.
- Avoid strong smells that may be unpleasant for you such as cooking smells, perfume and smoke.
- If you are feeling nauseous, distract yourself.
- Breathe deeply and slowly when you are feeling nauseous.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes.
