We all know that fighting cancer is not easy. Some people are afraid of chemotherapy because of the side effects, especially nausea and vomiting. But unlike in the past, today there are many advanced medications and methods to stop this nausea and vomiting and to control it once it occurs. So let's talk about this today.
Why is chemo making you feel uncomfortable?
Simply put, chemotherapy is a powerful drug that kills cancer cells. When these drugs enter the body, our body recognizes them as 'foreign'. That is, as if they do not belong to the body, as if they have come from outside. Then our body sends warning signals to the brain and digestive system.
These signals directly activate the 'vomiting center' in our brain. The chemicals released by that center are what make us feel nauseous and sick. In addition, chemotherapy drugs can damage our digestive tract. That is another cause of nausea.
Nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy can occur in three main ways.
| Type of discomfort | Its nature |
|---|---|
| Acute nausea | Treatment begins within a few hours of taking it. |
| Delayed nausea | It starts 24 hours after treatment, and can last for several days. |
| Anticipatory nausea | This starts even before treatment. The reason is that it was difficult when I received treatment before, so I think, 'It will be the same today.' |
Continuous vomiting can cause serious damage to the body. It weakens the body, causes dehydration, and deprives the body of essential nutrients. It can also cause electrolyte imbalances, such as sodium and potassium. Sometimes, if these problems become severe, the dose of chemo may need to be reduced or even the treatment stopped. Therefore, it is very important to talk to your doctor about this.
Who might feel these discomforts more?
Some types of chemotherapy are more likely to cause nausea than others. For example, cisplatin (Platinol) and doxorubicin (Adriamycin) are the most common drugs that cause this condition.
In addition, you are more likely to have these problems,
- If you take chemotherapy treatments repeatedly and closely .
- If you are given a high dose .
- If it is a medicine given into a vein (IV - intravenous) rather than a medicine taken by mouth.
- If you are a woman .
- If you are under 50 years old.
- If you have a tendency to get motion sickness while traveling.
Medication can be a great help.
The best thing to do is for your doctor to give you medication to stop these problems before they happen. This medication is usually given before chemotherapy. This medication works by blocking signals to the brain's vomiting center.
Main types of anti-vomiting medications
These can be given intravenously (IV) or as pills taken by mouth.
- Aprepitant (Emend)
- Dolasetron (Anzemet)
- Fosnetupitant/palonosetron (Akynzeo)
- Granisetron (Kytril)
- Ondansetron (Zofran)
- Palonosetron (Aloxi)
- Rolapitant (Varubi)
Among these, medications like `Akynzeo` and `Aloxi` work in the body for several days, so they also help control delayed nausea that occurs later.
Other medications that can help
- Anti-anxiety drugs: Medications such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan) help calm the mind and reduce anticipatory nausea.
- Cannabinoids: Drugs like dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros).
- Corticosteroids: Medications like dexamethasone (Decadron) and methylprednisolone (Medrol).
- Dopamine antagonists: metoclopramide (Reglan), prochlorperazine.
- Motion sickness medication: patches like the scopolamine patch (Transderm Scop).
The most important thing is, do not use any of these medications without consulting your doctor. He or she will prescribe the best medication for your condition.
Things to try besides medical treatment
In addition to medications, there are several complementary therapies that can be used alongside medical treatment. These are not a substitute for medical treatment, but rather a supplement to it.
- Acupuncture: This is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that uses fine needles to stimulate specific points on the body. The most popular spot used to treat nausea is the P6 point, located on the underside of the hand, just below the wrist.
- Acupressure: This is similar to acupuncture, but instead of needles, pressure is applied with fingers.
- Biofeedback: This method teaches you to control bodily functions (e.g., heart rate, breathing) that you normally cannot control with your thoughts. This can help you calm your mind.
- Hypnosis: With the help of a specialist, you can control feelings like nausea by bringing your mind into a relaxed state and opening it to a certain suggestion.
Use these methods to relax your mind.
It can be a great relief to distract yourself from the treatment. Try these things before your chemo treatment.
- Guided imagery: Imagine a beautiful, peaceful place in your mind. Imagine yourself standing by a peaceful lake in a village. Imagine your burdens and sorrows floating on the lake like a boat.
- Distraction: Listen to a favorite song, read a book, or watch a funny movie.
- Progressive muscle relaxation: Starting with your toes, tighten and then relax each muscle in your body. When you reach your head, you will feel a great sense of relaxation.
Things you can do yourself for nausea and vomiting
Making a few small changes to your diet and daily habits can help reduce these discomforts.
- Stay away from any food that makes you feel uncomfortable, especially oily, fried, and spicy foods.
- Eat several small meals a day rather than three large meals.
- Eat something like a small snack before chemo treatment.
- Don't cook when you're uncomfortable. The smell of hot food can make you nauseous.
- If the smell of hot food is unpleasant, eat cold food .
- Drink plenty of water and other fluids (soup, fruit juice) to prevent dehydration.
- For an upset stomach, eat a ginger toffee or drink some ginger tea .
Take-Home Message
- Nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy are common, but they can now be largely controlled.
- Never go through these discomforts alone. Tell your doctor about any discomfort you feel.
- The best way is to use the prescribed medication exactly as prescribed to prevent discomfort before it occurs.
- Lifestyle changes, such as eating smaller meals and avoiding certain foods, can make a big difference.
- Relaxation techniques can help reduce fear and nausea before treatment.
- Always follow your doctor's instructions. Avoid changing treatments or medications on your own.
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