Nausea and Vomiting | Building Blocks of Hope

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea is a symptom that is often described as an unpleasant feeling associated with flushing, tachycardia, and the urge to vomit. Vomiting is a physical phenomenon that involves contraction of the abdomen, chest wall muscles, and movement of the diaphragm followed by expulsion of the stomach contents.

Things you can do:

Meeting with a dietician may be helpful in finding a diet that works best for you.
Make a note of any symptoms of nausea that you have or episodes of vomiting. Discuss these with your health care provider at your next visit.
If you experience vomiting more than 5-6 times in a 24-hour period, notice any blood when you vomit, or are not able to keep food or liquids down, and be sure to contact your health care provider immediately. Talk with your health care provider about when and how to call in case of more severe symptoms.
Discuss how many of each type of anti-emetic you can safely use each day and what side effects they may cause. Some of the medications used to treat or prevent nausea and vomiting may increase the risk of developing constipation.
Drink 2-3 liters of fluid a day—avoid caffeine or high sugar drinks.
Eat small, frequent meals.
Avoid: fatty foods, greasy foods, spicy foods, foods that are hard to digest (hard fruits, meats, hard cheese, popcorn), alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, and foods with strong odors.
Brush your teeth more frequently and use non-alcohol-based mouth washes to reduce the symptoms of dry mouth and bad taste.
Peppermint and ginger supplements have been found to helpful for some patients.
Relaxation, imagery, and meditation may help some patients. Ask your health care team about any resources available.
Ask for help from family and friends.