Prior to your child’s blood and marrow transplant (BMT), they receive high-dose chemotherapy and/or total body irradiation (TBI). Both of these treatments can cause nausea and vomiting.
Other causes of nausea and vomiting may include:
- infections
- medicines that treat infections (for example, Septra®)
- mucous drainage from mouth and sinuses
It is important to let your health care team know if your child is experiencing any discomfort. They rely on you for feedback and can help you find ways to relieve your child’s pain.
If your child is feeling nauseous, they should avoid lying flat on their back after eating. This can often make them feel worse. They can sit or lie down with their head elevated.
Your child may also find that food tastes different and may not feel like eating. These problems will gradually go away. By the time your child is ready to be discharged from the hospital they should be eating and drinking reasonably well. It may still be some time after your child is discharged before your child's appetite returns to normal.
Your child can help reduce nausea and vomiting by trying the following:
- Eat small, frequent meals
- Eat dry crackers or toast, especially before they move, such as getting out of bed
- Eat cold foods because they tend to have less food odour
- Drink clear, cool juices such as carbonated drinks, flavoured gelatin, popsicles, and ice cubes made of a favorite juice
- Sip or drink small amounts of liquid often, daily
- Do not eat spicy, overly sweet, high-fat and strong-smelling foods until the nausea goes away
Drugs that treat nausea and vomiting
Antiemetics
Antiemetics are a range of drugs used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting. Many of these medications will also make your child feel sleepy.
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
If the nausea and vomiting is causing too much discomfort, your child may not feel like eating or drinking. To make sure your child continues to get enough nutrients, the nurse will deliver a special mixture of nutrients, which contains:
- protein
- fat
- sugar
- vitamins and minerals
This nutrition mixture is called the Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN). The nurse delivers this TPN through your child’s central line into the blood stream. As your child starts to eat and drink more, they will not need as much TPN.
For more information, please see Feeding and Nutrition.