Specialist areas
Nausea and vomiting
If you are having problems being sick, try to sip fluids continuously through the day. When you vomit you lose salts which you body needs to function. You can replace these by frequently sipping energy drinks, fruit juice and salty drinks, e.g. Bovril. Cold or chilled fluids are usually best tolerated.
Some tips:
- Drink cold drinks using a straw.
- Fizzy drinks may help to relieve nausea, e.g. ginger beer.
- Eat at the times of the day when you feel the least nauseous and are less likely to vomit. You don’t have to wait for mealtimes but can eat when you feel like it.
- Eat small, frequent meals though the day and drink nourishing drinks.
- Try not to drink just before or when eating.
- On the days you are having treatment only eat light meals and avoid eating 1 – 2 hours before the treatment.
The smell of food cooking may put you off eating so:
- Ask a friend to cook and serve food for you.
- Use ready-made or microwave meals
- Get some fresh air before eating
- Eat cold or room temperature foods.
- Avoid foods with a strong smell.
- If you are unable to keep any fluid down, contact your doctor as soon as possible, within 24 hours.