Nausea and Vomiting
Chemotherapy Side Effects
Side effects of chemotherapy are the most dreaded of all times. Fortunately, there are different ways to prevent, treat and manage the side effects today, and cancer specialists take special care to make sure that their patients don’t suffer.
As cancer and its course of treatment is the most difficult phase to go through, side effects should be managed well so that patients don’t slip into depression, which is most likely.
Nausea and vomiting may sound like a common experience most people have. However, in case of chemotherapy related symptoms, the condition becomes increasingly difficult and tough to bear. With proper medication and care, patients now experience very little or no signs of nausea at all. Being proactive and following various methods to learn about the options for combating the side effects of chemotherapy help patients in making this journey less uncomfortable.
Causes Chemotherapy leads to nausea and vomiting in various ways. The most common of all causes is the activation of certain areas in the nervous system controlling vomiting. There are times when chemotherapy drugs together with other medicines given for treatment tend to irritate the inner lining of the stomach. Patients who underwent chemotherapy in the past will recall their experience and feel worse, a typical case of anticipatory nausea.
Cancer specialists train their patients to understand that each chemotherapy session is different and it may not have the same effect. This way, it may be possible to avoid anticipatory nausea.
Factors That Increase The Risks Of Nausea The risks of developing or experience nausea and its associated symptoms depend on a number of factors. Nausea commonly affects younger patients, especially females, and the ones with the medical background of motion sickness. However, the symptoms also depend on the chemotherapy medications used for treating the patient. Nausea can develop immediately after starting the chemotherapy, which is a state of acute nauseas, or start after over 24 hours of the treatment, which is a case of delayed nausea.
Treatment For Chemotherapy Related Nausea Treating vomiting and nausea is definitely very important for the psychological well being of a person during the course of treatment. Nobody would like to feel nauseated throughout the day. However, it is imperative to physical well being too. Nausea leads to severe dehydration and inadequate nutrition. Consistent wrenching causes tears or sores in the esophagus. And, patients who have undergone surgery, nausea and vomiting become extremely painful for them.
Coping With The Symptoms During Chemotherapy Medications are given to prevent the symptoms of side effects. However, there are other necessary measures to be taken by patients so that their condition does not aggravate. Few simple and well planned measures can help in preventing the signs of nausea.
Eating small and frequent meals and avoiding excess eating are the best ways to prevent nausea. In addition, patients should avoid drinking any fluid, including water, during meals. After eating, patients should sit upright for some time. There may be some odors that trigger nauseous feeling; avoiding such odors can be helpful.
Wearing loose clothes around the abdomen can be helpful. Along with that, patients should drink adequate fluids and avoid smoking for some time.