5 Tips for Dealing With Chemotherapy & Nausea

Chemotherapy is one of the most effective ways to treat cancer. Unfortunately, this treatment can come with some pretty unpleasant side effects, including nausea. After you have finished a chemotherapy sessions, it can be difficult to keep a lot of foods down. However, if you change some of your eating and drinking habits, you may be able to reduce nausea. Here are some helpful tips for dealing with nausea from chemotherapy:

Eat Smaller Meals

Instead of eating three big meals a day, eat small meals five times a day. When you are going through chemotherapy treatments, your stomach may not be able to handle lots of food in one sitting. If you eat more frequently throughout the day, you may feel your nausea subside.

Stay Away from Spicy and Fatty Foods

Spicy and fatty foods might be tasty, but they are not the best thing for your stomach right now. These foods are hard to digest with someone with a weak stomach. To avoid feeling sick, keep rich foods out of your diet for now.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration will make nausea worse, so it is a wise idea to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Aim to drink at least eight cups of water a day. If you get bored with the taste of plain water, try adding a lemon or lime wedge to your glass. Try to stay away from carbonated beverages because they can make nausea worse.

Eat Bland Foods on Treatment Days

On your chemotherapy treatment days, it is best to stick to bland foods, like crackers, yogurt, and toast. These foods are easy on your stomach and will help you feel less nauseous. 

Include Ginger in Your Diet

Ginger is well known remedy for nausea. If you take ginger with your anti-nausea medication, you can reduce feeling of nausea even more. While ginger is available in several forms, including ginger ale and ginger candy, it is best to take ginger in the form of a supplement. If you start taking ginger supplements a few days before your chemotherapy treatments, you can reduce or eliminate nausea.              

Going through chemotherapy is not always easy, but it does not have to be unbearable. If you follow these helpful tips, you can reduce your nausea. However, if you still experience severe nausea throughout your chemotherapy treatments, you should make an appointment to see your doctor or oncologist right away.

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