Nausea and vomiting - Side effect to cancer treatment

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It varies from one person to the next, how much nausea and vomiting the treatment will cause. Nausea and vomiting can usually be medically prevented and relieved.

You will be given one or more types of medication, to prevent nausea and vomiting, before every treatment. You will also be given medication to take home with you, including written instructions as to how and when to take it in the days following your treatment.

Make sure you take the medication as prescribed, even if you don't feel nauseus: It is far more effective to prevent nausea than it is to treat it.

What you can do

Eat a light meal including beverages before your treatment, as an empty stomach could increase nausea
Evaluate the anti-nausea treatment you have been given: what did work, what didn't work. Your notes on the anti-nausea treatment will help the doctors and nurses find the best treatment for you
Use your experience: what makes nausea worse for you, and what helps against it

Dress in loose fitting, comfortable clothes. Tight fitting clothes may provoke nausea.
Maintain good mouth hygiene. Clean your teeth after eating
Avoid cooking fumes, tobacco fumes, perfume and the like
Bad taste in the mouth can be remedied by eating mints, lozenges or chewing gum
Fresh air and light exercise, e.g. walking or cycling, helps against nausea
Try diversion measures such as listening to music, watching television, reading or playing computer games
Relaxing and unwinding can reduce nausea
Acupuncture might be helpful

Start your day, maybe even before you're out of bed, by eating a cracker, a piece of crisp bread or toast without topping
Try eating a little, despite feeling nauseus, as an empty stomach might worsen the nausea
Drink 1-1½ litres a day, preferably between meals. It may be easier to drink through a straw
Carbonated drinks such as sparkling water or limonade mixed with sparkling water can quell nausea as can belching
Let others do the cooking
Eat small and frequent meals over the course of the day
Fried, fatty, hot and spicy food can increase nausea
Cold food can be a good idea, e.g. cold soups, fruit porridge, yogurt or skyr, ice cream, frozen yogurt and smoothies
Acidic food, e.g. pickled beetroot, pickled cucumber, gherkins, fresh fruit, fruit juice, and fermented dairy products, can diminish nausea
Salty foods, e.g. peanuts, crackers and popcorn, can diminish nausea
Have a rest after meals, because actvity after having eaten can provoke nausea, don't lie down flat on your back - but rest sitting in a chair or in a reclining position

Offer to cook and get beverages. It is OK to eat sparingly for a couple of days, but intake of fluid is important
Remind you when to take your anti-nausea medication
Make sure your surroundings are pleasant and relaxing by providing fresh air, peace and quiet. A massage can also be both relaxing and help divert your thoughts
Pay attention to what provokes your nausea and what relieves it
Make sure you always have something close at hand, that you can be sick into - also in the car on the way home from the hospital. The drive home should be smooth and without sudden braking

Contact

In case of any questions. Please contact the Oncology Department. Telephone number are on your contact card., or go to:

Nausea and vomiting - Side effect to cancer treatment

What you can do

Prevent nausea and vomiting

Reduce nausea and vomiting

Suggestions for food and drik

What your family and friends can do

Contact