This blog piece was originally posted as: Tips to Control Chemotherapy Nausea and Vomiting (CINV) which was published in the Breast Cancer Yoga blog on March 25, 2014.
One of the most dreaded and anxiety producing side effects
of cancer treatment is chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). In this
blog post we offer a variety of tips to help you reduce chemotherapy nausea.
Controlling nausea can significantly improve your comfort and help ensure
completion of your chemo treatments as scheduled.
Medications
Speak with your oncology doctors and nurses to find the
antinausea medicine that works best for you. Anti-nausea medications, also
called antiemetics, are sometimes so effective that experts have shifted their
focus from treating nausea to aggressive prevention. Unfortunately however, the
majority of people on a chemo regimen still face some risk of becoming nauseous.
Some patients have to try a few antiemetics before finding the one that works
best. Sancuso patches are another prescription item that patients may ask their oncology team about.
Food
Try eating bland foods. For example – toast, oatmeal,
bananas, broiled or baked chicken with no skin, or similar items. Eat small
quantities more frequently. Delay eating for at least one hour after treatment.
Try not to start treatment with an empty stomach. Avoid greasy, fried, salty,
sweet, or spicy foods. A recent
study funded by the National Cancer Institute showed that ginger, even in
small amounts, can help reduce nausea.
Hydration
It is important to stay hydrated. Try taking small sips of
water during the day instead of gulping or consuming large quantities at a
single sitting. Broth is another liquid that may be easy to sip. Drinking natural
root beer and/or ginger ale may be effective ways to reduce CINV. Some herbal
teas may ease digestive discomfort while stimulating a weak appetite. Suck on
hard candy such as Queasy Drops,
popsicles or ice during treatment.
Smell
Avoid foods with strong odors. Avoid strong smells such as
flowers, perfumes and some cleaning products. Some personal care product scents
may irritate your senses. Some essential oils can be helpful, but they must be
administered carefully.
Body Position
Do not lie down flat for at least 2 hours after eating. Rest
by sitting up or reclining with your head elevated.
Products to Help
Biobands
– This simple and inexpensive wristband utilizes acupressure, a natural pressure
therapy applied to a specific acupuncture point that controls nausea and
vomiting. Wearing Biobands
can help control nausea during treatment and throughout the day.
QueasyPops and Drops are the natural way to ease a queasy stomach. They are
effective due to their special formulation of essential oils, aromatherapy and
their unique delivery method. They are also a great way to help with dry mouth
symptoms.
Frog Toggs Chilly Sport Cooling Towels can be worn around the neck. They can help patients by cooling and comforting.
Integrative
Approaches and Alternative Treatments
Deep Breathing Exercises
and Guided Meditation can help you relax before and during treatment. They
can help put your mind in a calmer, positive and more proactive place. An example of a CD to help teach you
breathing techniques is Breathe With Purpose. Calm.com
offers a guided meditation app. Saagara
offers two pranayama apps, with guided breathing.
Acupuncture
lowers nausea and/or vomiting in some people. In addition to reducing nausea,
some patients find that it also helps to minimize hives and joint swelling,
which can be other side effects of treatment.
Exercise – Get
moving as soon as you can! Find an exercise that you enjoy and do it! Even if the movement is minimal or slow at
first, or on the days of treatment, don’t be discouraged. Exercise should help
you through chemo fatigue as well.
However, exercising too soon after eating may slow down digestion and
increase discomfort. A good resource is the new book Exercises for Cancer Survivors by Carol Michaels .
Hypnosis has been
suggested by some professionals as another helpful complementary therapy.
Essential Oils and
Aromatherapy
There are a number of essential oils and herbs that can be
helpful. Discuss the use of these treatments with your oncology team before
using them, because they have the potential to block the effects of your
medication. Natural Remedies of CINV by Pamela Taylor is a helpful book that can help to
familiarize you with herbs, essential oils, and aromatherapy.
Medical Marijuana
It’s long been general knowledge that marijuana can soothe
nausea. This is now an option in some states where medical marijuana is legal.
A synthetic version of the active ingredient, THC ,
is in the prescription drug Marinol (dronabinol).
Important NO-NO’s
No caffeine. No smoking. No alcohol.
The more comfortable you are during treatment, the better
your mental and emotional state. A more
comfortable state of mind will contribute to optimizing your outcome. Don’t
hesitate to consult with your oncology team for additional ideas. We hope our suggestions
will improve your comfort by reducing your nausea during your cancer journey.
Visit Lots To Live For, Inc. to learn about more products to reduce and relieve chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting, and to learn about products to combat other cancer treatment side effects. You will also find a collection of helpful cancer resources.