A. Nonpharmacological treatment of nausea and vomiting
Nonpharmacological management of nausea and vomiting will depend on the etiology of the nausea and vomiting. It may be caused by psychological, dietary, or physical conditions and this will determine what type of management may help improve the symptoms they may be having. Some of the these recommendation according to the National Cancer Institute include dietary modification, hypnosis, acupuncture, acupressure, relaxtion techniques, behavioral therapy guided imagery, music therapy, systemic desensitization.
Three randomized controlled studies revealed that acupressure reduced CINV compared to no intervention at all and benefits noticed were decreased severity, frequency, and duration with people of different types of cancers. Acupuncture was found to have a clinically significant reduction in CINV in one study in another study it was found to reduce nausea alone. A study on guided imagery, music therapy, and muscle relaxation showed a decrease in nausea and retching and studies on psychoeducation and support showed that more studies need to be done in this area. (Pieszak, 2011).
B. Pharmacological treatment of nausea and vomiting
According to our Depiro text the pharmacological treatment for nausea and vomiting will depend on the expected etiology of the symptoms, the frequency, duration, and severity of the episodes, and the ability of the patient to use oral, rectal injectable, or transdermal medications, and the success of previous used medications. There are five categories of CINV acute, delayed, anticipatory, breakthrough, and refractory, and depending on the category can depend on treatment for the nausea and vomiting as well.
The following categories are drugs categories used to treat different categories and symptoms of CINV along with mechanism of action and