Did you know that nausea
is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy. In fact, these side
effects begin to emerge shortly after the first dose of chemotherapy drug is
given. Although some people can relieve their nausea easily, some other cancer
patients must struggle hard to overcome it.
So, what should be done to deal with nausea after chemotherapy?
Here's the explanation.
So, what should be done to deal with nausea after chemotherapy?
Here's the explanation.
How to deal with nausea after chemotherapy
Although it is effective
in killing cancer cells, chemotherapy also often triggers nausea. The causes
vary, ranging from the frequency of treatment, the dosage of the drug, and how
to administer the drug (oral medication or intravenous fluids).
The severity or nausea
that can be felt is different for each patient. Some only experience mild
nausea that can be treated well, but some also experience severe nausea or even
vomiting. This is what causes cancer patients to complain of decreased appetiteafter chemotherapy.
Well, here are a number
of ways you can do to treat nausea after chemotherapy. Among them:
1. Take nausea medication
After chemotherapy is
done, the doctor will usually give a special medication to relieve nausea. This
anti-nausea drug is also called antiemetic. Giving doses and types of drugs
vary for each patient, depending on how severe the nausea is felt.
This anti-nausea drug is
available in various forms, including pills, intravenous fluids, or
suppositories.
If the patient experiences nausea and vomiting, the patient may be given nausea medication through intravenous fluids or suppositories so that it is not wasted. Consult your doctor to get nausea medication that suits your condition.
If the patient experiences nausea and vomiting, the patient may be given nausea medication through intravenous fluids or suppositories so that it is not wasted. Consult your doctor to get nausea medication that suits your condition.
2. Hold the principle of "eat a little but often"
Nausea due to cancertreatment often makes patients lazy to eat. If eating a normal portion makes
you nauseous and vomiting, you should use the principle "eat a little but often".
Because after all, cancer
patients still have to eat regularly so that their nutritional needs are
maintained. If you are unable to spend one portion of whole food directly, you
should give a break every 2-3 hours to eat smaller portions.
Also pay attention to the
type of food consumed. Avoid fried, fatty, and sweet foods because they tend to
be difficult to digest. Instead of making patients able to eat, these foods can
actually worsen nausea.
And most importantly,
always meet your body fluid needs by drinking at least 8 glasses per day so as
not to dehydrate.
3. Relaxation techniques
The American Cancer
Society (ACS) says that relaxation techniques provide amazing results in
reducing nausea after chemotherapy. This type of therapy can help you feel more
relaxed and divert you from nausea.
Of course there are many
relaxation techniques that you can do. Starting from breathing exercises, musictherapy, hypnosis, to meditation. The more you feel relaxed, the easier you
will be to deal with and deal with various side effects of chemotherapy that
interfere.
4. Acupuncture
According to the American
Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO), acupuncture is said to be effective in
reducing the side effects of disturbing chemotherapy. One of them relieves
nausea after chemotherapy.
Quoting from a study
published in the journal Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion, acupuncture
combined with heat therapy called moxibustion can reduce nausea due to
chemotherapy drugs.
This is also confirmed by another small study, that cancer patients who have just undergone radiation and chemotherapy tend to experience milder nausea. In addition, the dose of the antimual drug given was also lower than that of patients who did not do acupuncture.
Although the benefits of
acupuncture seem tempting, it turns out not all cancer patients can do it.
Especially cancer patients whose white blood cell count is low.
If acupuncture is still
done, it is feared that it will increase the risk of infection and endanger the
health of the patient. It is best to consult a doctor before you decide to try
it.
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