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6 Tips For Managing Nausea From Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is one of the most effective known ways to treat cancer, but it still comes with many unpleasant side effects. One of the most common side effects of this treatment is nausea. When you feel nauseous all the time, it can be difficult to go about your day. Severe nausea can even cause your body to lose fluids, making the chemo drugs more toxic. Here are six helpful tips for managing nausea from chemotherapy:

Eat Smaller Meals

If you are used to eating three big meals a day, it is time to change your eating habits. When you eat too much food at once, it can trigger nausea. If you eat several small meals throughout the day, it will be easier on your stomach.

Watch Out for Unpleasant Smells

Strong smells can make your nausea much worse, so it is important to stay away from them. For example, if the smell of garbage makes your queasy, you should ask someone else to take out the trash.

Increase Your Fluid Intake

Drinking more fluids throughout the day can also manage your nausea. A glass of water can soothe your stomach and help you feel a lot better. If you do not want to drink just water during the day, you can also drink unsweetened tea and ginger ale. Stay away from carbonated beverages, as they can irritate your stomach.

Eat the Right Foods

When you are dealing with nausea, it is important to make the right food choices. If you eat spicy or heavy foods, for example, you can irritate your stomach and make your nausea worse. It's better to stick to lighter foods like crackers, apples, yogurt and bananas.

Try Relaxation Techniques

Another effective way to treat your nausea is to practice relaxation techniques. The next time you feel nauseous, try breathing in deeply a few times or meditating. This should relax you and reduce nausea symptoms.

Consider Anti-Nausea Medicine

If it's difficult to control your nausea with only lifestyle changes, ask your doctor about anti-nausea medication. If you take this medicine at certain times of the day, it can help control your nausea.

Dealing with chemotherapy related nausea is not easy, but it can be controlled. If you follow these helpful tips, and refer to your oncologist for any additional information, you can manage your nausea and feel better throughout the day. Take it one day at a time and you will get through this difficult time.