Managing Chemotherapy Nausea: Strategies & Relief

Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. It can cause many unpleasant side effects. Nausea is one of the most common complaints of patients undergoing chemotherapy. The Mayo Clinic suggests that you can ease the nausea with medications and self-care measures.

Instructions

• 1

  Talk to your doctor about medications available to address chemotherapy-induced nausea. These treatments aim to prevent nausea from occurring. You might receive them orally or intravenously. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate form and time to take them, based on the particular type of chemotherapy you are undergoing. Common medications include Zofran, Anzemet, Kytril and Aloxi.

• 2

  Eat smaller, more frequent meals rather than three large meals. Spread them throughout the day.

• 3

  Stick to foods that are appealing. Certain foods, however, can exacerbate nausea during chemotherapy; these include sweet, fried or fatty foods. If you find that smell triggers nausea, stick to cool foods that do not emit strong odors.

• 4

  Stay well hydrated. The best beverage choices are cool water, unsweetened fruit juices and tea. Drinking small amounts frequently during the day is preferable to drinking large volumes of fluids at once. Add some water to unsweetened juices if they are too bitter.

• 5

  Get out in the fresh air when nausea strikes.

• 6

  Rest after eating, but do not lie completely flat for at least 2 hours after eating.

• 7

  Experiment with abstaining from food for at least 12 hours before your chemotherapy session. According to the Mayo Clinic, early research indicates this might reduce the incidence of nausea. This may not be appropriate for everyone, so discuss this with your doctor beforehand.

• 8

  Experiment with relaxation techniques and mind/body activities like deep breathing and meditation.