Coping with chemo for cancer treatment - MyFoxTallahassee.com

Chemotherapy (chemo) is the use of medications to treat disease. Doctors use more than 100 drugs in a variety of combinations to treat cancer.

Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment, meaning it travels throughout the body killing cancer cells. This system-wide attack makes chemo an excellent treatment for many types of cancer. Some chemotherapy drugs, though, are toxic not only to cancer cells but also to healthy cells. This damage to healthy cells causes side effects.

Some common side effects include:

• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Anemia
• Increased bruising and bleeding
• Hair loss
• Diarrhea

People often dread chemo because of its side effects. But these days doctors can often use newer chemo drugs that have fewer and milder side effects. They also have better treatments to help control the side effects when they occur.

Use the tips below to help cope with some common side effects. See the Related Articles box for detailed articles on managing other side effects.

Tell your doctor or oncology nurse about any side effects you are having. He or she may be able to suggest or prescribe treatment.

Fatigue
Fatigue is very common during chemotherapy. You may feel a little tired or completely drained. To cope with fatigue:

• Get at least eight hours of sleep each night.
• Give yourself rest breaks or take short naps (less than an hour) during the day.
• Cut back on activities. It's good to stay active but don't try to do too much.
• Get regular light exercise, such as walking or yoga. This may help you have more energy. Ask your doctor about a safe level of activity.
• Ask for help from friends or family.

Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are often common during and for a few hours after chemotherapy. Some people feel ill even before treatment starts. If you feel queasy, your doctor can prescribe a medication called an anti-emetic to help control it. These tips may also help:

• Don't eat for a couple of hours before treatment. If this doesn't help, have a bland snack such as crackers and apple juice an hour or two before treatment.
• Drink liquids at least an hour before or after mealtime, instead of with your meals.
• Eat a few small meals a day instead of two or three large ones.
• Eat foods cold or at room temperature to avoid strong smells.
• Eat and drink slowly.
• Avoid sweet, fried or fatty foods.
• Rest but do not lie flat for at least two hours after you finish a meal.
• Relax before treatment. Try listening to music, reading or meditating.

Anemia
Chemotherapy can reduce the bone marrow's ability to make red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. The result is anemia, which can leave you feeling weak, tired and short of breath. Your doctor may prescribe a medicine that can boost the growth of red blood cells.

To manage anemia:

• Get plenty of rest. Aim for eight hours of sleep at night and a couple of short naps during the day.
• Limit your activities to what's most important.
• Ask for help when you need it.
• Eat a well-balanced diet. Ask your doctor or dietitian to recommend a healthy eating plan.
• Get up slowly from sitting or lying down.

Increased bruising and bleeding
Chemotherapy lowers the number of platelets in your blood, which can cause you to bruise and bleed easily.

To reduce bruising and bleeding:

• Use a soft-bristle toothbrush, and brush gently.
• Be very careful when using knives, scissors, needles or other sharp tools.
• Avoid contact sports and other activities that have a high risk of injury.
• Use an electric shaver instead of a razor.
• Do not drink beer, wine or liquor unless you doctor says it is OK.
• Do not take any medications, including over-the-counter drugs, without talking to your doctor first. Some can make bleeding worse.

Hair loss
Some chemotherapy medicines can affect hair follicles all over the body. In this case, you may lose hair from your scalp as well as the rest of your body. Usually, hair will grow back two or three months after treatment ends.

To cope with hair loss:

• Be gentle with your scalp. Use mild shampoo and pat your hair dry.
• Avoid hair dryers, curling irons and similar devices that could damage your scalp.
• Protect your scalp by wearing a hat, scarf or wig when you are outdoors.
• Use a satin pillowcase.
• If you plan to wear a wig, you might want to select it before your hair comes out. That way, you can match it to your natural shade. Some insurance companies will help pay for wigs for cancer treatment-related hair loss.

Diarrhea
Chemo may harm healthy cells in the intestines, leading to diarrhea.If you have diarrhea:

• Drink plenty of clear liquids, such as water, weak tea and clear broths.
• Eat foods that are easy on your stomach, such as rice, bananas, applesauce, yogurt, boiled potatoes and dry toast.
• Avoid high-fiber foods and ones that cause gas, such as whole-grain breads and cereals, raw fruits and vegetables, beans, cabbage, coffee and spicy foods.
• Eat several small meals and snacks a day.