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Mild nausea and vomiting can be quite uncomfortable, but usually causes
no serious problems. Persistent vomiting can cause dehydration,
electrolyte imbalance, weight loss, depression, and avoidance
of chemotherapy.
Causes
Nausea and vomiting in people with cancer may be caused by the following:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy,
especially to the brain, spinal cord, abdomen, and pelvis. People
who have received total body radiation therapy (such as before a
bone marrow transplantation) are at the highest risk.
- Cancer that has spread to
the brain
- Blocked intestines
(bowel obstruction)
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Infections or bleeding
in the gastrointestinal (stomach and intestines) system
- Heart disease
- Other medications
Anticipatory vomiting occurs in people who have vomited
from chemotherapy before. It can happen in the time before a person knows
he or she must go back to the hospital to have more chemotherapy. Acute
vomiting is vomiting that takes place in the first 24 hours after
treatment. Delayed vomiting may continue two or more days after
treatment.
People who are at the highest risk for chemotherapy-induced nausea and
vomiting include the following:
- People who have
previously vomited after cancer treatment
- People who are prone to
motion sickness
- People who are anxious
before cancer treatment
- People under age 50,
especially women
Managing nausea and vomiting
Whenever possible, it is best to prevent nausea and vomiting from
starting. There are many medications available to help reduce or stop
vomiting. If you are at risk, your doctor may prescribe the antiemetic medications (drugs to stop vomiting)
before cancer treatment. In addition, many people find that behavioral
treatments can help control nausea and vomiting. Methods such as
distraction, relaxation, and positive imagery can help change the
expectation and fear of nausea and vomiting.
More Information
ASCO Patient Guide: Preventing Nausea and Vomiting Caused by Cancer
Treatment
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