1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) 36 Ways to manage side effects Eat five or six small meals and snacks each day instead of three large ones. Avoid strong smells. Try to avoid foods and drinks with strong smells, such as coffee, fish, onions, garlic, and foods that are cooking. Suck on ice chips or small bites of popsicles or fruit ices. Suck on sugar-free mints or tart candies. But do not use tart candies if you have mouth or throat sores. Relax before treatment. You may feel less nausea if you relax before each chemotherapy treatment. Meditate, do deep breathing exercises, or imagine scenes or experiences that make you feel peaceful. You can also do quiet hobbies such as reading, listening to music, or knitting. For relaxation exercises, visit Learning to Relax on the National Cancer Institute’s website at: www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/feelings/relaxation. When you feel like vomiting, breathe deeply and slowly or get fresh air. You might also distract yourself by chatting with friends or family, listening to music, or watching a movie or TV shows. Talk with your doctor or nurse. Your doctor can give you drugs to help prevent nausea during and after chemotherapy. Be sure to take these drugs as ordered and let your doctor or nurse know if they do not work. You might also ask about acupuncture, which can help relieve nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment. Tell your doctor or nurse if you vomit for more than one day or right after you drink. Let your doctor or nurse know if your medicine for nausea is not working. To learn more about dealing with nausea and vomiting during cancer treatment see Eating Hints: Before, during, and after Cancer Treatment, a booklet from NCI. Available at: www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/eating-hints.
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