Why is it that cancer treatments so commonly cause stomach upset? According to Dr. Harman at cancergrace.org, both cancer and the treatments for it can be factors in creating stomach problems. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting usually occur because the drugs stimulate a part of the brain that controls the vomiting response. Damage to the intestines from chemo can also stimulate that same response in the brain, and in the stomach. Other causes unique to cancer include:

• Radiation-induced nausea (when part of the gastrointestinal tract is involved, including the esophagus)
• Intestinal obstruction (due to scar tissue or a tumor)
• Pressure or swelling on the brain
• Uncontrolled pain

Which medications your doctor may recommend typically depends on the cause of the upset. Those used specifically in cases of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting include anti-nausea medications like Zofran, Kytil, Anzemet, Aloxi, and Emend. These target receptors in the brain and gut to block the vomiting response. For other types of nausea caused by the cancer itself, or by a combination of causes, doctors may prescribe compazine and haldol, anti-nausea medications, or “motility” agents, which help get things moving in the intestine. Marinol, the medical form of marijuana, has been shown effective in cases of persistent nausea and no appetite.

Medications aren’t the only option, however. Many non-medical approaches can be effective at calming the stomach. Ginger, for example, has shown in studies to be very helpful. (Start taking it before treatments—see our post for details.) Researchers at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, found that acupuncture controlled post-operative breast-surgery nausea more effectively than Zofran. Two hours after surgery, 77 percent of subjects who received the acupuncture experienced no nausea or vomiting, compared to 64 percent taking Zofran. According to another analysis of 11 studies, acupuncture seemed to reduce the vomiting that can occur shortly after a chemotherapy treatment.

There are some Ayurvedic solutions to nausea as well. Mothernature.com suggests three, recommended by top Ayurvedic practitioners. Try two pinches of cardamom and ½ teaspoon honey mixed into ½ cup of plain yogurt. Or, a pinch of nutmeg and a pinch of cardamom into ½ cup of warm milk. If you like tea, steep a teaspoon of cumin seeds and a pinch of ground nutmeg in one cup of boiling water for ten minutes, strain to remove the seeds, and drink.

Myhomeremedies.com has several solutions sent in by readers. One recommends boiling a cup of water and mixing in a teaspoon of cinnamon or one cinnamon stick, a tablespoon of honey, and drinking slowly. Peppermint is also commonly recommended when it comes to stomach upset. Try a drop or two of peppermint oil on the tongue, or take some peppermint candy with you on treatment days. Best-home-remedies.com suggests half a cup of coconut water twice a day.

Remember—just because many people experience nausea and vomiting as a result of treatment doesn’t mean you will. “You can become so convinced that nausea and vomiting will occur that it does occur,” says the Mayo Clinic. “Your doctor can tell you specifically whether the treatment you’ll receive is likely to cause nausea and vomiting.”

Have you found an effective home remedy for cancer-related nausea and vomiting? Please share your discoveries.

Photo courtesy of ember via Flickr.com.

“It was as though a giant sponge swooped down and absorbed all the moisture from my skin,” says Pat, a breast-cancer survivor.

What are the signs? Dry skin appears rough and flaky, and can become cracked and peeled.  It may feel tight and itchy, and with scratching, may start to bleed. A slight tear can lead to infection, so it’s paramount you keep your skin as moist as possible.

There are some basic things you can do. Avoid hot water (it makes itching worse); shower or bathe in lukewarm temperatures; pat (don’t rub) dry; and avoid drying soaps—instead, use organic, non-toxic, skin cleansers and creams. Apply moisturizer (or organic body oil like Weleda) when skin is still damp, wash clothes in toxin-free mild detergents, use chemical-free sunscreen (we love Soleo Organics SPF 30), avoid synthetic perfumes and fragrances, use a humidifier in your room, stay away from irritating fabrics like wool and nylons (choose cotton and silk), and protect your skin with gloves and when doing household chores. (You can also purchase thin cotton gloves to protect fragile, sore hands.)

All these things may help, but if you’ve got serious dry skin, you need more. First, let’s talk about relieving the pain or itch. Instead of scratching, dryskin.com suggests massaging the area with an ice cube, or covering it with a cool washcloth. Add baking soda or ground up oatmeal to the tub to further soothe the irritation. Natural-homeremedies.com suggests Vicks vapor rub for immediate relief, vitamin E oil, baking soda and water paste, or an apple cider vinegar and water solution. If you’ve already scratched, natural aloe from the plant can soothe the burn and moisturize skin, or try Santaverde Aloe Body Lotion.

Regular lotions may be moisturizing to the everyday person, but for those going through chemotherapy, they may seem no more effective than water. Many skin-care enthusiasts recommend virgin coconut oil for its protective qualities. It absorbs easily through the skin to heal and moisturize, plus it won’t break the budget. Other oils great for moisturization include almond, grapeseed, evening primrose, and olive. You can find organic versions of these oils at Aura Cacia. (Try coating your hands and feet in oil and lotion and sleeping in cotton socks at night.)

Looking for home remedies? Try mashing a ripe banana and applying it to the dry area for ten minutes, or blend together 1 teaspoon green clay powder and 1 teaspoon raw honey and apply for fifteen to twenty minutes.

If none of these things help, talk to your doctor or dermatologist. Whatever you do, don’t suffer in silence. Dry skin could land you in the hospital with infection, so you have every excuse to pamper yourself with tender care!

Do you have a great solution for dry, irritated skin? Let us know!

Photo courtesy of Snap Village.