What Helps Nausea During Chemo and Radiation?
Cancer treatment can make you feel lonely, sick, hopeless, and weak.
Nausea, in particular, is an extremely common and debilitating side effect of chemo, radiation, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Sometimes, it can be so severe it can delay treatment.
Nausea can be extremely overwhelming, especially when it’s accompanied with vomiting. Weakness, fatigue, food aversion, and loss of appetite can all come from constantly vomiting and feeling nauseous.
However, eating is still essential to your recovery. But how can you eat when everything seems to make you sick?
There are ways to reduce, and even eliminate the nausea you experience as a result of cancer treatments.
But first, you need to know what type of nausea is affecting you so that you can target it appropriately through everyday foods accessible at your local store.
That being said,
Always talk to your oncology-certified dietician before applying any nutritional advice, as this is general and not specific to your needs.
Never take any supplements without talking to an oncology-certified dietician or your physician.
There is no such thing as eating a cancer diet or fatigue-reducing diet. Rather, research shows that certain eating patterns can be helpful.
How to get rid of nausea from chemo and radiation
There are two main forms of nausea:
Acute nausea can start within a few minutes or couple hours after treatment.
Delayed, on the other hand, can be several days after your first session.
Both can last several days and be mild or severe. Depending on which one is affecting you, your oncologist can help.
YOUR DOCTOR CAN HELP.
When nausea is acute, the best way your oncologist can help is by giving you medications before and after each dose of chemotherapy to prevent nausea and vomiting. This is on treatment days and can prevent further nausea.
When nausea is delayed, they can prescribe over-the-counter anti-nausea medication for after treatment. Even if what you are experiencing is mild, it is important to get ahead side effects early before they become severe.
What helps with nausea from cancer treatment?
Ask your oncologist what over-the-counter drugs you can safely use so they don’t interact with cancer treatment. Keep in mind, medication is not always the answer:
“I used to have severe nausea after chemotherapy. I would not be able to eat, and many times, it was accompanied by vomiting, and I couldn’t sleep.
I felt very weak and started getting medicated for my nausea.
Finally it went away,
but along came dizziness.
Feeling dizzy in my case was better than being nauseous.
But once I heard that changing my diet and exercising could help,
I gave it a try.
Now I go for a walk daily, I don’t have dizziness anymore and I rarely ever get nausea.”
— 32 year old Lymphoma Survivor
Cancer treatments affects you physically, mentally, and emotionally.
So, it's normal to want to add lifestyle changes during cancer treatment.
The best rule of thumb when trying to get ride of nausea from chemo or radiation is to start when with medication first when nausea is severe.
Then, add in low-impact, light-intensity walking and a bland diet to slowly wean off the added medication. If nausea is mild, then start with nutrition and exercise first.
If certain treatments can’t be tolerated, they MIGHT be able to change it.
This should be a last resort, however, since changes to treatment MAY alter survival.
Nevertheless, keep your oncologist informed with any lifestyle changes you make, and keep them informed of any:
Self-medicated, over-the-counter medication
Vitamins, herbs, and supplements
Lifestyle changes to diet and exercise
What helps get rid of nausea from chemo and radiation naturally.
B) WHAT YOU EAT, WHEN, AND HOW ALL MATTERS.
While nausea and vomiting typically go away when treatment stops, in some cases, its effects can linger a few weeks even after treatment ends.
In order to help get rid of nausea naturally, focus on:
limiting strong odors
avoiding what irritates your stomach
emphasizing small amounts of bland food often
HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD AVOID
Eating large meals
Greasy, Fried, or Fatty Foods
Spicy/Acidic Foods and Drinks
Coffee and Strong Tea
Energy Drinks
Candy that includes Caffeine (like chocolate)
Alcohol and Carbonated Drinks.
High Fiber Foods, if it nauseates you:
whole-grain breads
fresh fruit
broccoli, corn and beans.
In terms of what to eat when chemo or radiation nausea hit; the goal is to:
emphasize eating foods cool or at room temperature
eating in small amounts throughout your day
and focusing on bland foods.
HERE ARE A FEW OPTIONS THAT CAN HELP:
DRINKS/ SOUPS
Ginger/peppermint tea
Flat soda
Real cranberry juice
Cool broth, clear soups
Liquid supplements: Boost, Kate Farms, Ensure, Orgain
GOODIES
Sherbet, gelatin, pudding
Frozen or regular yogurt
Ice pops
Applesauce
Peanut butter
CARBS
Toast, crackers, pretzels
Rice
Potatoes
Pasta
Canned fruits—peaches, pears
Bananas
PROTEIN
Skinned chicken (baked, boiled)
Cottage cheese
Eggs
Lean beef
Fish (not fried)
Many of these foods will help provide you with the nutrients you need.
Though, it’s still important to recognize times, foods, smells or events that trigger your nausea and try to change your schedule and diet accordingly.
For example, if nausea in the morning is a problem, keep crackers and soda at your bedside to nibble on before getting up.
Also, make sure to sip cooled or chilled beverages between meals instead of with a meal.
Only drink enough to keep food moist when eating.
If nausea only lasts an hour or two, avoid eating during this time and take a few sips of water, flat ginger ale, juice or tea to prevent dehydration.
If vomiting, don’t eat or drink until your vomiting has subsided.
Once vomiting is under control, try drinking small amounts of clear liquids. Once it has subsided, try small amounts of bland foods such as dry crackers or dry toast.
Many of these tips will help, but if nausea has not gone away and you find yourself particularly sick before treatment, you you may be affected by a third type of nausea.
C) ANTICIPATORY NAUSEA
After having a few treatments, some people may start having nausea and vomiting before their next treatment.
This is called anticipatory nausea/vomiting.
Anticipatory nausea can be triggered by smells and sense of being in treatment.
What Helps Nausea During Chemo and Radiation?
The sooner anticipatory nausea and vomiting is identified, the more effective treatment may be, as the more sessions you have, the greater your risk for anticipatory nausea and vomiting.
In this case, nausea is more mental than physiological so anti-nausea drugs may not seem to be effective
The good news is that it may be treated with guided imagery/relaxation techniques and and exercise.
RELAXATION TECHNIQUES:
Don’t eat 2 hours before treatment.
Take 5-10 mins to yourself to practice some mindful breathing to set yourself up mentally before treatment
Avoid clothes that press against your stomach and throat areas
Rinse your mouth frequently to get rid of unpleasant tastes.
Focus on going for a 30-45 min walk before treatment
WALKING:
Focus on going for a 30-45 minute walk before treatment starts to reduce the anticipation of nausea.
Focus on taking a slow walk out in nature
Add in and incorporate a daily prayer, when needed
Walking outside can be helpful and fresh air might help.
Research shows that patients who reach 90-150 mins of a brisk walk a week experience less nausea from chemo and stop vomiting during chemo.
If nausea is ruining your life, you are not alone and you have choices.
You don’t have to go through it alone and without guidance.
While nausea can cause anxiety, dehydration, weight loss, fatigue, weakness, food aversion, and even treatment delays,
You have the ability to reduce it by focusing on
limiting strong odors
avoiding what irritates your stomach
talking to your doctor
emphasizing small amounts of bland food often
emphasizing eating foods cool or at room temperature
eating in small amounts throughout your day
focusing on bland foods.
Having healthy walking and meditational habits
Lastly, if you are having difficulty eating or drinking enough to meet your nutritional needs, ask your nurse for a refer to a dietician who can work with you to design a food plan that meets your needs.
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