Nausea and vomiting can be caused by chemotherapy or radiation, either through direct irritation to the stomach lining, or by stimulation of the vomiting center in the brain. Antinausea medicines called antiemetics are given before chemotherapy or radiation sessions to help decrease nausea and vomiting.
Chemotherapy agents vary in the amount of nausea and vomiting that they cause. The type and amount of antinausea medicine will be based on your child’s treatment plan and the expected reaction. Prior to any treatment, you should discuss the expected effect of the chemotherapy being given, and its management with your doctor or nurse.
Ways to help decrease nausea and vomiting:
- Encourage the child to eat small meals or snacks
- Provide foods that are easy to digest (crackers, rice, Jello)
- Have the child take sips of cool, clear liquids
- Avoid offering fried, spicy or very rich foods
- Give the child food in a room that is free from cooking smells or other odors
- Rinse the child’s mouth after vomiting
If the child has diarrhea, tell your doctor or nurse the color, amount and number of times it happens in one day. Here are a few ways to help decrease diarrhea:
- Give the child a soft, bland diet (crackers, soup, rice)
- Encourage the child to eat small amounts of food more often, instead of large meals
- Avoid spicy, fried or fatty foods
- Avoid juices, milk or milk products (ice cream, cheese)
- Avoid foods that are high in fiber (fruits, vegetables, salad)
- Offer foods high in potassium (tomatoes, papaya, butternut squash)
- Limit the amount of high-sugar foods (juices, candies)
Causes and signs of dehydration
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration (loss of fluids in the body), especially if the child cannot drink an amount sufficient to replace the fluid that is lost. Some common signs of dehydration include:
- Dry skin or mouth
- No tear production when crying
- Infrequent urination or small amounts of dark-colored urine
- If the child wears diapers, count the hours between wet diapers
Call the doctor if the child has any of the signs of dehydration.
How to increase food and fluid intake at home
If the child is at home and is experiencing vomiting or diarrhea:
- Offer small amounts of clear fluids to drink every 30 minutes
- Provide foods that are easy to digest (crackers, rice, toast, soup), and avoid foods with strong odors
- Ask the doctor about medicines to decrease nausea