ABSTRACT
Nausea and vomiting are frequent, troublesome symptoms in patients with advanced illness (Table 4.14.1). While mild emesis may only be a nuisance, severe nausea and vomiting totally disable patients, making their life miserable and isolating them from social interaction. In a recent survey, cancer patients rated emesis as their second most troublesome symptom. Whereas in many cases they are relatively easy to control, nausea and vomiting can tax the professional’s skills and ingenuity to the limit. There are a number of reasons for this.
