Nausea or Vomiting: What to do at home?
Learn about nausea or vomiting in people with cancer in this guide from by Dr Pratik Patil. Nausea is a common side effect of cancer surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or immunotherapy and some medications.
- Nausea can keep you from eating enough.
- It may or may not be accompanied by vomiting.
- Vomiting may also occur without nausea.
What you can do: Improving your eating behavior?
- Sit upright and bend forward after vomiting.
- Don’t eat or drink until your vomiting is controlled.
- Once vomiting is under control, try drinking small amounts of clear liquids (cranberry juice, Kokam sherbet, sweet lassi, butter milk sweet, dal khichdi or upma etc.).
- When you are able to keep down clear liquids, then try eating small amounts of soft foods such as Roti Sabji, Dal rice, dal khichdi etc.
- Gradually work your way back to your regular diet.
Tips to Reduce Nausea And Vomiting:
- Instead of large meals, eat small amounts of food often.
- Drink beverages between meals instead of with a meal.
- When you feel nauseous, choose foods that appeal to you, and don’t eat food that makes you feel sick. However, don’t eat your favorite foods to avoid linking them to being sick.
- When you can eat, eat foods at room temperature or cooler, as hot food produces a stronger scent, which can start nausea.
- While you eat, sit up and remain sitting up.
- Avoid triggers where possible by recognizing times, foods, smells or events that trigger your nausea. Try to keep kitchens and eating areas well-ventilated if the smell of food triggers your nausea.
- Suck on hard candy with pleasant smells, such as lemon drops or mints, to help get rid of bad tastes.
- Rinsing your mouth can also take bad tastes out of your mouth to reduce nausea. Rinse out your mouth before and after eating (see mouth-rinse preparation below).
Make a Daily Mouth Rinse:
Mix well together:
- 4 cups warm water
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. baking soda
Instructions:
Swish a mouthful (for 15 seconds), then spit out the mouth rinse. Do this at least three to five times a day, rewarming as needed.
Foods to Avoid:
Avoid eating fatty, greasy and fried food, including most fast food. Spicy foods also can aggravate nausea, along with foods with strong odors. Foods high in sugar such as candy, cake and rich desserts should be avoided.
Recipe:
- Banana Milkshake
- Blend ingredients well:
- 1 peeled ripe banana
- A few drops of vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
Nutrition facts:
- Serving size: 2 cups
- Calories: 255
- Protein: 9 grams
Notes:
Contact Your Physician if:
If You are considering using anti-nausea medications. If you have persistent vomiting and cannot keep liquids down, consult with the Best oncologist in Pune – Dr. Pratik Patil. For more information and support please call us at +919637439163 and book an appointment online!