Nausea/vomiting and CAM

Nausea and vomiting are side effects experienced by a number of cancer patients. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the most common causes of nausea and vomiting in cancer patients. In addition to feeling unpleasant, nausea and vomiting can negatively affect quality of life by causing fatigue, loss of appetite, and problems with concentration. Although drugs are available to help ease nausea and vomiting symptoms, many of those drugs cause other, potentially serious, side effects. For some patients, complementary and alternative therapies may provide relief from nausea/vomiting.

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Research Highlights on Nausea/Vomiting and CAM

• Ginger Helps Reduce Nausea from Chemotherapy
• Electroacupuncture May Counter Patients’ Nausea After Chemotherapy
• Nausea and Vomiting PDQ ®
• Cannabis PDQ® Antiemetic Effect
• Massage and Cancer: Supporting Patients and Caregivers
• Nutrition in Cancer Care PDQ®: Nutritional Suggestions for Symptom Management: Nausea
• Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment: Eating Problems and Ways to Manage Them: Nausea

Clinical Trials

• Nausea and CAM Clinical Trials (NCI)

Resources from around NIH and NCI

• Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects: Nausea and Vomiting (NCI)
• What To Do About Feeling Sick to Your Stomach and Throwing Up (NCI)
• Nausea and Vomiting Information (NCCIH)

Selection of NIH-funded research projects

• Effects And Mechanisms of Chronic Electroacupuncture for Emesis
• Transcutaneous Electroacupuncture for Gastroparesis
• Electroacupuncture Treatment for Delayed Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Emesis

Additional Resources

• Find a NCI-designated Cancer Center Near You
• Talking about Complementary and Alternative Medicine with Health Care Providers: A Workbook and Tips