Nausea and vomiting in palliative care

Nausea and vomiting in patients with advanced disease are debilitating symptoms that reduce the quality of life for patients, their families and carers. These symptoms are common in patients with both malignant and non-malignant disease. Palliative care intervention has been shown to improve them significantly, thereby improving patient experience of end-of-life care. This article discusses systematic and thorough assessment of patients to identify possible causes, and how these can be corrected where possible. Simple measures to manage symptoms can be effective in improving nausea and vomiting without the need for medication, and these should be considered in the first instance. We give also explain the pathophysiology of nausea, including the neurotransmitters involved, to help guide appropriate prescribing.