Vomiting

Foods to eat when you are experiencing nausea and vomiting are:
-Bland foods such as:
- Scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, plain steamed rice, applesauce or pudding, water or juice, ginger ale, poached egg on dry toast, saltine crackers or bread sticks, clear broths, and jello.

- Foods to avoid are: fried foods, fatty foods, hot, spicy foods, greasy chicken noodle soup, fudgesicles, milk products and milk, strong smelling foods Foods to eat when you are experiencing nausea and vomiting are:
-Bland foods such as:
- Scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, plain steamed rice, applesauce or pudding, water or juice, ginger ale, poached egg on dry toast, saltine crackers or bread sticks, clear broths, and jello.

- Foods to avoid are: fried foods, fatty foods, hot, spicy foods, greasy chicken noodle soup, fudgesicles, milk products and milk, strong smelling foods

As a consequence of chemotherapy medications and the side effects of the treatment, body fluids are lost. It is extremely important for your health that you replenish these fluids.

The general daily recommended intake of fluids is 9 cups for women and 13 cups for men. As well, in addition to this daily amount, it is recommended you drink 8 ounces of fluid for every time you vomit or experience diarrhea.

A couple of common ways we lose excess fluids may be vomiting and diarrhea. I recommend keeping a daily record estimating how much fluid you are losing from urinating, vomiting and diarrhea relative to a normal day. You should replace the extra fluid you lose in addition to the 9-13 cups needed to fulfill your daily requirement.

Some suggestions for fluids that you may drink are:
- water
- juices and sports drinks
- ice chips, flavored ices, frozen juices, and popsicles

You should avoid dehydrating fluids such as alcohol and caffeinated beverages (sodas, coffee and tea).

Tips to make sure you drink enough are:
- Drink all day especially between meals.
- Take a bottle of water wherever you go

An indicator that you are drinking enough fluids is if you are not thirsty and your urine is pale yellow.

If your physician is worried about dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea, medications may be prescribed to treat these side effects. As a consequence of chemotherapy medications and the side effects of the treatment, body fluids are lost. It is extremely important for your health that you replenish these fluids.

The general daily recommended intake of fluids is 9 cups for women and 13 cups for men. As well, in addition to this daily amount, it is recommended you drink 8 ounces of fluid for every time you vomit or experience diarrhea.

A couple of common ways we lose excess fluids may be vomiting and diarrhea. I recommend keeping a daily record estimating how much fluid you are losing from urinating, vomiting and diarrhea relative to a normal day. You should replace the extra fluid you lose in addition to the 9-13 cups needed to fulfill your daily requirement.

Some suggestions for fluids that you may drink are:
- water
- juices and sports drinks
- ice chips, flavored ices, frozen juices, and popsicles

You should avoid dehydrating fluids such as alcohol and caffeinated beverages (sodas, coffee and tea).

Tips to make sure you drink enough are:
- Drink all day especially between meals.
- Take a bottle of water wherever you go

An indicator that you are drinking enough fluids is if you are not thirsty and your urine is pale yellow.

If your physician is worried about dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea, medications may be prescribed to treat these side effects.

Somebody told me not to eat any meat the day before and the day I had chemo. Why, I had no idea, but it seemed to have helped. I did really well with soups and smoothies. Perhaps its because I stuck with foods that digest more quickly.

Crackers ARE great, but be careful. Believe it or not, most people gain weight with breast cancer chemo and this is the converse of what happens with chemo for other cancers. For most people, the goal in chemo treatment should be to maintain your weight - you don't want to fluctuate up or down too much. To help prevent nausea, here are some things to try:
- try eating bland, easy to digest foods and drinks that will not upset your stomach, such as plain crackers, dry toast, gelatin, and broth
- try drinking one or two lukewarm cups of peppermint tea
- try eating 5 to 6 small meals a day
- have foods and drinks that are warm or cool, not hot or cold
- drink carbonated liquid that is warm and has lost its fizz, such as ginger ale
- take small bites of popsicles or fruit ices.
- suck on sugar-free mints, tart candies, or chewing gum.
- when you feel like vomiting, breathe deeply and slowly and get fresh air.
- stay away from foods and drinks with strong smells.
- acupuncture is an alternative to try as well.

Common causes of dehydration are:
- extra and prolonged loss of body fluids
- excessive vomiting
- prolonged diarrhea
-inadequate amount of fluid is ingested
-excess or strenuous exercise
-fever
-overuse of diuretics or laxatives Common causes of dehydration are:
- extra and prolonged loss of body fluids
- excessive vomiting
- prolonged diarrhea
-inadequate amount of fluid is ingested
-excess or strenuous exercise
-fever
-overuse of diuretics or laxatives

Some over the counter options include:
- Antihistamines may help prevent nausea and vomiting. These include dimenhydrinate and meclizine hydrochloride.
- Pepto-Bismol, Maalox, and Mylanta may calm upset stomachs.
- lo-dose ranitidine and famotidine

Some potential prescription medications you physician might prescribe are:
- ondansetron (Zofran)
- promethazine (Phenergan)
- prochlorperazine (Compazine)
- aprepitant (Emend)
- dolasetron (Anzemet)
- granisetron (Kytril)
- palonosetron (Aloxi)
- lorazepam (Ativan)
- metoclopramide (Reglan)
- dexamethasone (Decadron)
- famotidine (Pepcid)
- ranitidine (Zantac) Some over the counter options include:
- Antihistamines may help prevent nausea and vomiting. These include dimenhydrinate and meclizine hydrochloride.
- Pepto-Bismol, Maalox, and Mylanta may calm upset stomachs.
- lo-dose ranitidine and famotidine

Some potential prescription medications you physician might prescribe are:
- ondansetron (Zofran)
- promethazine (Phenergan)
- prochlorperazine (Compazine)
- aprepitant (Emend)
- dolasetron (Anzemet)
- granisetron (Kytril)
- palonosetron (Aloxi)
- lorazepam (Ativan)
- metoclopramide (Reglan)
- dexamethasone (Decadron)
- famotidine (Pepcid)
- ranitidine (Zantac)