Nausea and vomiting – The most common side effects of chemotherapy

Do you know? Nausea and vomiting occur in up to eighty percent of patients receiving chemotherapy. Fortunately, they don’t lead to serious health problems but sometimes may cause malnutrition and dehydration. If vomiting and nausea associated with chemotherapy are not managed, they can affect the quality of life, physical health, mental health, and even delay treatment. 

Chemotherapy involves killing fast-growing cells, but during treatment, some healthy cells can also get affected and cause side effects. When certain parts of the gastrointestinal tract or brain are triggered, it can cause nausea. Who is more at risk? People who have cancers in the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and brain and who are undergoing treatment for them are more likely to experience nausea.

If you are a woman or younger than fifty, have a history of motion sickness, high anxiety levels, or have had morning sickness during pregnancy, you are more likely to experience these side effects. If you have experienced vomiting and nausea with previous therapies or have a history of alcohol consumption, you may be more vulnerable to chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting. Infection, dehydration, and pain during cancer treatment may also cause nausea and vomiting. 

Your healthcare professional will probably give prevention medicine if you receive any drugs that are known to cause vomiting and nausea. Most patients receive anti-nausea medications to prevent these side effects, as they can be difficult to manage once they begin. Some of the drugs include Dolasetron, Granisetron, ondansetron, palonosetron, and prochlorperazine, promethazine.

There are certain other things that help effectively manage nausea. Drink at least two to three liters of fluids each day. It can control tiredness, nausea, and kidney damage. Choose foods that are easy on the stomach, such as boiled rice, noodles, cream rice, well-cooked eggs and vegetables, plain pasta, baked meat & poultry, etc. Make sure the food you eat is energy-dense and nutritious. Stay away from problem-causing foods such as fried, greasy, or fatty foods. Avoid strong odor foods like garlic, onion, or fish. 

You might not have the feeling to eat, but don’t skip the meals as an empty stomach can make nausea worse. Do not lay flat for at least two hours after eating. Have ginger tea. The active ingredients shogaols and gingerols in ginger help reduce nausea. Lemon water, chamomile tea, and clear liquids such as coconut water, cranberry juice, and apple juice can also help ease nausea. Acupressure and deep breathing may also be beneficial in nausea during cancer treatments. Be sure to discuss with the healthcare provider before following any complementary therapies. 

Fosaprepitant dimeglumine is an antiemetic medicine used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. It works by blocking the action of a natural substance called neurokinin in the brain that causes these symptoms. Aprecap 150mg Injection is one of the products available in the market containing Fosaprepitant dimeglumine. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine to prevent chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting.