Nausea (definition of)

Nausea is the urge to vomit. Technically, it is an unpleasant sensation in the back of the throat and/or the upper middle region of the abdomen that may or may not result in vomiting or retching (dry heaves). Nausea is due to numerous causes:

• illness
• drugs
• pain
• inner ear disease
• motion

Nausea can also be one of the side effects of cancer, like mesothelioma, and its treatments. Most commonly, The cancer patients experience acute, delayed, or anticipatory nausea in addition to that which is chemotherapy-induced. It is common for mesothelioma cancer patients in late stages of the disease to experience chronic nausea and vomiting.

Acute nausea and vomiting usually occurs within 24-hour period after chemo or radiation treatment. Anticipatory nausea and vomiting is often experienced immediately preceding a new cycle of chemotherapy; this is a conditioned response to the smells, sights, and sounds of the treatment room, typically occurring after three or four prior chemotherapy treatments as the patient begins to associate these stimuli with the sensations of the treatment itself. Delayed nausea and vomiting occurs more than one to two days following chemotherapy.

The causes of chronic nausea and vomiting experienced by advanced cancer patients are fully understood, but may be due to the side-effects of pain medication, the impact of the cancer treatment on the gastrointestinal system, or the buildup of toxins due to chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Not all cancer patients suffer from nausea and vomiting. Those who do may receive anti-nausea medications before and after chemotherapy treatment. Other measures that are helpful include eating small meals, drinking plenty of water, fresh air, and relaxation techniques such as meditation.