Tips to Reduce Chemotherapy Nausea and Vomiting

by Margot Malin, CEO of Lots To Live For, Inc.

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.

Natural and Alternative Treatments for Chemotherapy Nausea and Vomiting

Cancer Gifts – Thoughtful Gifts for Cancer Patients Suffering from Nausea

As most cancer patients can attest to, many chemotherapy drugs can cause nausea. Sometimes oncology radiation can also cause nausea. Oncologists can offer a number of different classes of antiemetic prescription medications to help control this nausea. In this blog post we focus on some alternative treatments that can help to reduce CINV.

Several different alterations or enhancements in life style can help increase comfort. Often, the patient’s sense of smell becomes very sensitive. It can be helpful to use unscented soaps, shampoos, body lotions, and deodorants. Modifications to diet can include hydration (lots of non sugar based liquids), spacing out eating into many small meals during the day, and avoiding fried and greasy items. Fresh air and loose clothing may also be helpful.

Mindful meditation and other alternative practices can be helpful. These can include, but are not limited to relaxation and imagery therapy, music therapy, biofeedback, desensitization, breathing exercises or accupressure.

A few products can also be helpful in reducing the nausea from CINV. BioBands are clinically proven, effective wristbands that provide safe and effective relief of nausea. Designed and patented by an American Board Certified obstetrician and gynecologist. The wristband utilizes acupressure, a natural pressure therapy applied to a specific acupuncture point that controls nausea and vomiting. Acupressure is recognized as one of the alternative practices that can help reduce chemotherapy induced nausea. Drug-free BioBands are easy to use and have no side-effects simply place the adjustable band correctly on either wrist. A small bead which is embedded in the adjustable band presses down on the P6 (Neiguan) point, located three finger widths above the wrist crease between the tendons of the flexor surface of the forearm, approximately in the area of a watchband. Pressure on this point helps interrupt the signals that trigger nausea and thereby providing relief. To read more about Biobands, and to order Biobands click here.

Another natural solution to reduce CINV has been developed in the form of a simple lozenge or lollipop. Queasy Pops and Queasy Drops are an all natural way to ease a queasy stomach. Queasy Pops and Drops are great tasting lollipops and lozenges which have been formulated from the essential oils from delicious, all natural sources. Queasy Drops act via aromatherapy and taste receptors to inhibit negative taste sensations and calm the tummy. Another great attribute of Queasy Drops is that they can also alleviate dry mouth which another very common side effect of chemotherapy. The products also provide quick calories and are soothing and comforting. The Queasy drops come in many appealing flavors including: sour raspberry, green tea with lemon, ginger, banana and natural cola. The Queasy pops are available in a different flavor assortment including: peppermint, cinnamon, sour lemon, papaya, ginger, sour raspberry and green tea with lemon. To purchase Queasy Pops or Queasy Drops click here.

You can purchase an anti-nausea gift pack including one Bioband and one tub of Queasy Drops by clicking here.

Chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting can be debilitating. It can take over your life and prevent you from even getting out of bed. Here are a few natural solutions to try in addition to the antiemetic medications prescribed by your oncologist.

To view other products that can be helpful in managing the side effects caused by chemotherapy and radiation please visit www.LotsToLiveFor.com

Additional resources:

To learn more about breathing exercises please visit BreastCancerYoga by clicking here.

To read about a guided imagery application for cancer patients called Whip Cancer Now click here.

To read more about antiemetic medications in a very informative and highly recommended Consumer Reports publication called "Evaluting the Oral 5-HT3 Antiginists: Drugs Used to Treat Nausea and Vomiting" click here.