Feeling or Being Sick

Sometimes surgery can cause patients to feel sick (nausea) or to be sick (vomit). Whether you experience nausea or vomiting depends on the type of treatment and how you react to it. This varies from person to person. Feeling sick can be very unpleasant and distressing but there are some very effective treatments available that can help to prevent and control it. It is often easier to control nausea and prevent vomiting if you deal with it straight away, rather than letting it build up.

Medication
If you have nausea or vomiting but have not been prescribed any form of anti-sickness medication, please contact your hospital medical team for further advice.

Eating and Fluid Intake
If you have diabetes, have had oral, stomach or bowel surgery or have difficulty chewing or swallowing, then this dietary advice may not apply to you. In these situations, please contact your hospital medical team for dietary advice.
Sickness can often cause a reduced appetite, and you may go off foods that you would normally enjoy. You may even be put off just by the sight or smell of food. Do not force yourself to eat if you feel sick or are being sick. Small, frequent, and simple meals consisting of your favourite foods are likely to be the most tempting. If you do go off food it is important to eat what you feel able to and when you feel like it, to make sure that you have as many calories as possible. If you are really struggling to eat, then it is important that you try to drink plenty of fluids (ideally 2-3 litres a day) to prevent dehydration.
Below are some eating and drinking tips that you can try when you have sickness. You may like to try a few of them to see which work best for you:

Eating

You could try:
• Small frequent meals and snacks throughout the day instead of 3 big meals.
• Chew your food well and only try to eat when you feel less sick. Try and have a small meal a few hours before treatment, but not just before it.
• Light, bland, and dry foods such as cereals, bread, crackers, bread sticks, plain biscuits, or toast are usually better tolerated when you feel sick. You may like to try other types of light foods that are easy to digest such as soups or egg custards.
• Cold food or food served at room temperature (such as a sandwich) especially if the smell of hot food makes you feel sick.
• Before eating have some fresh air.
• When eating wear loose, comfortable clothing that is not tight around your stomach.
• After eating, relax in a sitting or slightly reclined position with the upper body raised, instead of lying down.
• If you are normally the person responsible for doing the cooking, try to arrange for someone else to do it when you are feeling sick.
• You may find it easier to simply heat up a ready-made meal from the fridge or freezer instead of cooking a meal from scratch. Some people find supermarket ready meals convenient, or you could have a few small portions of your favourite homemade meals in the freezer ready to defrost and heat up.

Try to avoid:
• Foods that are spicy, greasy or salty, are very sweet or have a strong smell or taste.
• Eating or preparing food when you feel sick.
• Mixing hot and cold foods.
• Physical activity straight after eating.
• Brushing your teeth straight after eating.
• Eating in a room that is very warm or has strong cooking smells.

Fluid Intake

You could try:
• Taking small sips slowly throughout the day rather than trying to drink large amounts of fluid all at once. Some people find drinking through a straw helpful.
• Some people find the best things to drink are cold, clear, sweet liquids like fizzy drinks.
• Take a bottle of water with you when you go out.
• Drinking mainly between meals rather than with your food so that you do not get too full.
• Some people find ginger to be a good natural remedy for sickness. You could try to introduce ginger into your diet by sipping ginger beer, ale or tea slowly. You could add freshly ground ginger to hot water or tea to make a soothing drink.
• Peppermint is another natural remedy that some people find helpful for sickness. You may like to try drinking peppermint tea.

Try to avoid:
• Drinking too much just before you eat or whilst you are eating.
• Drinking lots of beverages with caffeine in them such as tea, coffee and some fizzy drinks (for example cola).
• Drinking alcohol.
• You may find citrus flavoured or fresh juices (such as orange and grapefruit juice) irritate your stomach. Try diluting them with water or try alternative flavours such as blackcurrant, apple, or peach.

Other Tips for Coping with Feeling or Being Sick
If possible, make sure your surroundings are pleasant, quiet, and clean so that you feel relaxed. Keep the room at a comfortable temperature with plenty of fresh air. You may like to sit near an open window or outdoors in the fresh air if the weather is nice.
Keep any items that you may need close by, but out of sight so you are not reminded about feeling sick. Items you may like to keep close by include:
• An empty bowl in case you need to vomit.
• A towel, a cool cloth, and a glass of water for rinsing your mouth.

Other Relevant Advice and Information
Relaxation
Distraction and Occupying Your Mind
Complementary Therapies

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