[Consultative palliative care for nausea and vomiting in the home setting]

Two patients with terminal cancer, a 46-year-old man with intestinal obstruction and a 12-year-old boy with a brain tumour, were suffering from vomiting and from headaches and nausea, respectively. Their general practitioners consulted the general-practitioner adviser about palliative treatment. After the recommended changes in medication the symptoms decreased in both patients. They died some weeks later. Nausea and vomiting may be treated when one takes into account which centres in the brain and neurotransmitters are involved, together with the site of action of the medication. The medication may be administered by subcutaneous infusion.