Managing Radiation Therapy Side Effects What To Do About Feeling Sick to Your Stomach and Throwing Up (Nausea and Vomiting) “I asked my doctor questions to make sure I knew when to take my medicine. The medicine really worked to keep me from feeling sick.” Try some of these tips to settle your stomach: ■ Eat foods that are easy on the stomach. See the list on the other side of this sheet. Eat 5 to 6 small meals instead of 3 big meals each day. Eat and drink slowly. Sit up or go for a short walk after eating. Ask your doctor or nurse for medicine that may help. Learn how you should take the medicine. ■ ■ ■ ■ Don’t eat foods that are too hot or too cold if they make you sick to your stomach. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health Drink enough liquids during the day. This will stop you from feeling weak and getting dehydrated, which means you have lost too many body fluids. turn page over Managing Radiation Therapy Side Effects: What To Do About Feeling Sick to Your Stomach and Throwing Up (Nausea and Vomiting) These foods and drinks may be easy on your stomach until you feel better: Soups (clear liquids) Clear broth, such as chicken, vegetable, or beef Drinks (clear liquids) Clear soda such as ginger ale Cranberry or grape juice Oral rehydration solution drinks, such as Pedialyte® Tea Water Meals and snacks Chicken—broiled or baked, without the skin Crackers Cream of wheat or rice cereal Noodles Oatmeal Potatoes—boiled, without the skin Pretzels White rice White toast Fruits and sweets Angel food cake Canned peaches Gelatin (Jell-O®) Popsicles and sherbet Yogurt Try these tips on treatment days: ■ Free Services To Learn More National Cancer Institute Cancer Information Service Phone: 1-800-422-6237 (1-800-4-CANCER) TTY: 1-800-332-8615 Online: www.cancer.gov Chat Online: www.cancer.gov/help Learn the best time for you to eat and drink. Some people find that it helps to eat a small snack before treatment. Others avoid eating or drinking before their treatment because it makes them feel sick. Listen to music or a book on tape before treatment to help you relax. ■ Questions to ask your doctor or nurse: 1. What problems should I call you about? 2. How should I take the medicine to prevent my nausea and vomiting? 3. How much liquid should I drink each day? NIH Publication No. 07-6105 Printed April 2007