Question 1

why does chemotherapy cause nausea and vomiting?

Accepted Answer

It's a toxin: The brain has an area that triggers nausea and vomiting if something toxic gets in the body.  This is what prevented early humans from dying after eating poisonous berries!  chemotherapy triggers the same area of the brain, and the body tries to protect itself by vomiting.  New anti-nausea drugs are so effective because they target the "vomit center" in the brain.

Question 2

what causes the nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Collateral damage: The simple answer is that chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells.  That's why those agents are used to treat cancer. However, the cells lining the stomach and other parts of the GI tract are also dividing at a fast rate compared to others. Those cells are also affected resulting in nausea and vomiting.

Question 3

why does chemotherapy cause side effects of hair loss and nausea?

Accepted Answer

.: Chemotherapy attacks rapidly growing cells, so it attacks the cancer cells as well as normal body cells that grow rapidly, including your hair follicles ! chemo crosses from the blood to the brain and triggers the nausea center in the brain.

Question 4

why does chemotherapy cause the side effects of hair loss? also lots of nausea?

Accepted Answer

Kills cells: Chemotherapy kills cells.  It just kills cancer cells quicker than normal cells because they grow faster.
As for the nausea, chemo agents are toxic to living tissue.

Question 5

what to do if i have nausea after chemotherapy, can anyone help?

Accepted Answer

Your oncologist!: I assume you have an oncologist; almost everyone who is receiving chemotherapy does. They are most familiar not just with the chemotherapy you are receiving, but also with you! They can give you the best advice and treatment for your nausea. I hope your therapy is working well!

Question 6

how can i increase my appetite when dealing with chemotherapy and nausea?

Accepted Answer

Stay hydrated,: Light exercise, chew gum, avoid people that are sick, wash hands frequently, don't touch face, rx can help too.

Question 7

what helps nausea the best among chemotherapy patients?

Accepted Answer

Medication!: There are excellent medications to prevent chemo-related nausea and vomiting.  Ondansetron (zofran) and aprepitant (emend) are two of the strongest.  Ativan (lorazepam) and Dexamethasone are commonly added.  Different things work for different people, and we can almost always find a combination that works for everyone.  This is a good review article:  http://www.Mayoclinic.Com/health/cancer/ca00030.

Question 8

an acquaintence of mine stopped chemotherapy due to said extreme nausea. died seven months later. what could she have done to extend her life?

Accepted Answer

No simple answer: Life is short on Earth, regardless of whether a person lives 3 days, 3000 days, or 30,000 days. It is not length of one's life that matters, but the quality of the life lived. The goal is not to live a long life, but to live a good life. Even if a person makes it all the way to age 82, that's only 30,000 days.

Question 9

what to expect with chemotherapy?  pain, nausea, vomiting?

Accepted Answer

Expectations : Nausea should be expected.  Vomiting can occur.  Though, you should have access to plenty of medications for nausea.  Many people have flushing or an odd taste while getting chemo.  Pain would be very unusual.  There are some chemo meds that can have an allergic effect, so rash and flu-like symptoms can occur.

Question 10

how can i prevent nausea after chemotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Medication: There are many medications to prevent and treat "breakthrough nausea" following chemotheray. However, sometimes it is not possible to completely prevent it. If your current medications are not working well enough, you should discuss this with your Oncology nurse and your oncologist.

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Doctor answers about:

Why does chemotherapy cause nausea

A member asked:

Why does chemotherapy cause nausea and vomiting?

A member asked:

What causes the nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy?

A member asked:

Why does chemotherapy cause side effects of hair loss and nausea?

A member asked:

Why does chemotherapy cause the side effects of hair loss? also lots of nausea?

A member asked:

What to do if i have nausea after chemotherapy, can anyone help?

A member asked:

How can i increase my appetite when dealing with chemotherapy and nausea?

A member asked:

What helps nausea the best among chemotherapy patients?

A member asked:

An acquaintence of mine stopped chemotherapy due to said extreme nausea. died seven months later. what could she have done to extend her life?

A member asked:

What to expect with chemotherapy? pain, nausea, vomiting?

A member asked:

How can i prevent nausea after chemotherapy?

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