What Helps Nausea During Chemo and Radiation?
Nausea is a common, debilitating side effect of chemo, radiation, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
And sometimes, it can be so severe it can delay treatment.
Nausea can be extremely overwhelming, especially when it’s accompanied with vomiting.
Eating is still essential.
There are ways to reduce, and eliminate the nausea you experience.
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.
Two forms of nausea from chemo and radiation
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.
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.
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
What helps with nausea from cancer treatment?
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 You Eat, When, And how All Matter
Fighting nausea doesn’t require taking more pills.
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.
What helps get rid of nausea from chemo and radiation naturally.
HERE ARE A FEW OPTIONS THAT CAN HELP:
DRINKS/ SOUPS
Ginger/peppermint tea
Flat diet soda
Real cranberry juice
Cool broth
clear soups
Liquid supplements:
Boost
Kate Farms
Ensure
Orgain
Owyn
CARBS
Toast, crackers, pretzels
Rice
Potatoes
Pasta
Canned fruits
Bananas
PROTEIN
Skinned chicken (baked, boiled)
Cottage cheese
Eggs
Lean beef
Fish (not fried)
GOODIES —Sherbet, gelatin, pudding, frozen or regular yogurt, ice pops, applesauce, peanut butter
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.
How to get Rid of cancer side effects for good!
If nausea is ruining your life,
you have the option to not go through it alone.
my 1-1 coaching is designed to get rid of the guess work of healthy living after cancer.
And if you are struggling to exercise becuase of side effects
1-1 coaching is a great place to start.
I will help coach you through the baby steps
And guide you every step of the way so you don’t have to fumble through cancer treatement.
Liz, is a 27- year old breast cancer survivor and online
coaching client of mine who started online coaching as soon as she started treatment.
She was not sure if she was going to be able to exercise
while in cancer treatment.
But being active was a big part of her life that she was not willing to give up.
Now she is amazing she went through cancer treatment and attributes her success to exercise.
The first week she felt nauseas but as she continued she exercise she found that the days she worked out
She had less nausea, less fatigue, and felt better.
Exercise, when done correctly is a powerful medicine that can help fight off even the worst side effects of cancer treatment.
Working with the right online coach is important for long term health.
But getting started and asking for help is the first step.
If you are ready to:
Start feeling better
Strengthen your body against cancer
Regain control of your body after cancer
Click below to schedule a consult and see if 1-1 coaching is right for you.
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