Dealing with Symptoms - Nausea and Vomiting

Fatigue | Eating Problems | Nausea | Hair Loss | Sore Mouth and Throat | Dry Mouth | Sleep Disturbances | Bowel Problems | Anxiety | Depression | Breathing Difficulties

One of the most unpleasant symptoms of cancer and often a side effect that goes hand-in-hand with treatments for cancer such as mesothelioma is nausea.  Along with this feeling of being sick often comes vomiting. Nothing is more uncomfortable than feeling sick in the stomach all the time or having to spend your time in bathroom because you can’t control the vomiting.

Nausea may be caused by a number of different factors including:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Pain
• Pain medication
• Infection
• Severe constipation (caused by the disease or treatment)
• Bowel blockage
• Irritation of the lining of the stomach
• Excess calcium in the blood (sometimes caused by malignant tumors)
• Anxiety

Nausea CAN be controlled in a number of ways and researchers are developing more and more excellent drugs that assist in keeping cancer patients from being constantly sick to their stomach throughout their disease and its treatment.  These medications, known as anti-emetics, have been prescribed to cancer sufferers for years.  Anti-emetic drugs are usually taken orally (if possible), transdermally by means of a patch, or by intravenous.  Some common anti-emetic medications include Compazine ® or Reglan®.  A combination of more than one drug may be used for best results.

Besides taking anti-sickness drugs, there are several things you can do to ease an upset stomach.

• Avoid eating large meals.  Instead, eat smaller meals or several small snacks a day to control that overwhelming feeling of nausea.
• Eat when you’re feeling best.  Don’t force yourself to eat when you’re nauseous.
• Avoid fatty or fried foods as well as foods with a strong odor.
• When drinking liquids, either hot or cold, take small sips and avoid gulping, even if vomiting has made you extremely thirsty.
• Try wearing “acupressure wristbands”, thought to reduce nausea.  These non-invasive wristbands are often used by those who suffer from motion sickness and have been used by cancer patients with some success. 
• Try relaxation exercises to reduce your anxiety.  Yoga works for some individuals while simple deep-breathing exercises work for others.