Nausea is one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment and can occur as a response to both radiation and chemotherapy. Not only is nausea annoying, but it can keep patients from eating, which means their bodies do not get the nutrition needed to recover. Thankfully, there are several supportive therapies that are used to manage nausea related to cancer treatment.
Antiemetic Medications
These medications are generally prescribed alongside chemotherapy drugs to help curb nausea. They are also given to some patients receiving radiation. The most common type is a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist and works by blocking serotonin receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, which thereby reduces the urge to vomit. Some other antiemetic drugs instead work by blocking the action of dopamine. Not all patients react well to these drugs; some experience side effects like diarrhea and fatigue. However, your doctor will likely recommend at least trying these meds since, for most patients, they do help keep nausea under control.
CBD
If you do not respond well to antiemetics, or if you need a little extra help controlling nausea, then your doctor may recommend using some CBD. Also known as cannabidiol, this is a non-psychoactive substance found in hemp and cannabis plants. It is legal in all 50 states, and it won't make you feel high. However, it can help curb the nausea associated with cancer treatments. If you are having trouble keeping anything down, CBD is a good treatment choice because you do not have to swallow it; you can vape it instead. CBD also has a relaxing effect, which is helpful for cancer patients whose stress and anxiety seems to make their nausea worse.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a treatment that comes from Chinese medical traditions. It involves the insertion of tiny needles at specific places along your body, known as meridians. This does not hurt because the needles are so incredibly thin. Acupuncture can calm down the action of certain nerves, thereby relieving the nausea you're experiencing due to cancer treatment. It's generally safe to combine with the other treatments above. If you feel uncomfortable having needles inserted into your skin, you can instead visit a therapist who uses acupressure. They'll apply pressure to the points on your body where they otherwise would have inserted needles, yielding a similar effect.
Nausea is one of the most bothersome side effects of cancer treatment, but thankfully, there are supportive therapies to keep it under control. Talk to your doctor about these and other top options. Find cancer support treatments today.
Share20 January 2021
I am a mother of four wonderful children, and like other parents, I have been to my fair share of health care clinics. It seems like my children are always getting scrapes and coming down with colds. When I was a new parent, I never knew whether I should take my injured or ill child to the emergency room or local urgent care facility. I received some simple advice from a seasoned parent that made my decisions easier that I want to pass onto all new parents, along with other health tips I've learned. he told me that she tended to take her children to the ER when they were bleeding or had very high temperatures and took them to the local urgent care for any other problem. I have followed her advice ever since, and my children remain healthy and happy!
