nausea

Feeling sick is quite a common problem for cancer patients. It may be caused by the illness itself, or by a treatment such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Your doctor may give you medicine to stop you being or feeling sick.

There are also many simple ideas you can try for yourself to help you feel better...

When to eat

• It may help to eat little and often, rather than to have big meals.
  
  
• If your radiotherapy or chemotherapy is making you sick, avoid eating during the one or two hours before your treatment. It may be better to eat one or two hours afterwards.
  
  
• Try to avoid getting hungry. Keep a ready supply of snacks to hand (eg plain biscuits, cereals, bananas).

Choosing foods

• Avoid fatty, greasy, fried, spicy or hot foods.
  
  
• Try plain foods such as...
  
  • toast
    
  • crackers
    
  • cereals
    
  • pasteurised yoghurt
    
  • porridge
    
  • potatoes (baked, boiled or mashed)
    
  • chicken or fish (eg grilled or with a simple sauce).
    
    
• If you feel sick early in the morning, try eating some dry toast or a plain biscuit before you get up.
  
  
• Eat foods at room temperature (but make sure they are fully cooked through). Hot foods may make you feel more sick.
  
  
• Many people find ginger helpful. You could try sipping ginger ale, or nibbling crystallised ginger or ginger biscuits.
  
  
• If you can’t manage to eat your meal, you could try meal supplements.
  
  
• Don’t force yourself to eat your favourite foods if you don’t feel like them. This could put you off them in the future!
  

Drinks

• Avoid drinking liquids with your meal – they may make you feel bloated.
  
  
• Sip fluids slowly throughout the day. Using a straw may help.

Cooking

Try to avoid cooking smells as much as you can. You may like to try some cold meals, or some pre-prepared foods from the freezer. Maybe a friend or relative could help you by making some meals for you.

After your meal

Take a rest. Activity may slow down digestion. Try to sit upright for about an hour after your meal. Don’t lie down.

Other tips

• Wear loose, comfortable clothes when you eat.
  
  
• It may help to take a short walk in the fresh air before your meal.
  
  
• Eat in a well ventilated room, at a comfortable temperature.
  
  
• Keep a note of when you tend to feel sick, and what seems to cause it. Then try making some changes to your diet or routine. For example there may be certain foods you could avoid, or you could try changing your mealtimes.

If you don’t feel better...

If your nausea doesn’t settle, please tell your doctor, nurse or other member of your health care team. They may be able to give you some medicine to stop you feeling or being sick – or they may give you more advice and support.

Your Clinical Nurse Specialist is available for information and support about coping with the side effects of treatment. However, if you would like to read more about coping with nausea, try the suggestions below...

Cancer Backup - Controlling nausea and vomiting
The Cancerbackup website covers how to cope with nausea (feeling sick), and the different medications available to help with this.

CancerHelp - cancer and sickness
Cancer Research UK has a patient information website called CancerHelp, which has information on cancer and sickness.

If you are unsure how to contact your Clinical Nurse Specialist, or want further information on coping with nausea, please contact the Macmillan Cancer Information Centre.