Services
Mercy Cancer Center
Nausea and Vomiting
What causes it?
- Some chemotherapy drugs
- Radiation therapy over the stomach area
- Some strong pain medicines, as well as other medicines.
- Remember, continued vomiting can lead to serious problems such as dehydration!!
What can you do?
If you have problems with nausea or vomiting, try the following:
- Eat small amounts and snacks more often. Six small meals a day may be better than 3 large ones.
- Eat and drink slowly. Chew food well.
- Avoid fried, high-fat, or spicy foods.
- Try to avoid odors that bother you, such as cooking smells, smoke, or perfumes.
- Try cool foods without strong odors, such as ginger ale, popsicles, Jell-O, dry cereals, crackers, toast.
- Eat saltine crackers or other bland foods such as toast or cereal when you first get up in the morning.
- Try ice chips or hard candy to relive nausea.
- Try to drink 8 full cups of fluid to prevent dehydration.
- Rest in a chair after eating. Do not lie flat for at least 2 hours.
- After your treatment, eat a light lunch or supper.
- Red meat is often difficult to tolerate. Chicken and fish "go down" better.
- Medicines, called antiemetics, can be taken to control nausea and vomiting. The medicines are prescribed by your doctor. Take them as directed.
When to call us - Phone Number and Hours
Notify your doctor or nurse if you have any of the following:
- Nausea or vomiting that lasts for more than 48 hours.
- Nausea and vomiting which is not relieved by taking your medicines as directed