Contents:
- Medical Video: Cancer Treatment: Chemotherapy
- Common chemotherapy side effects and how to overcome them
- 1. Hair loss
- 2. Nausea and vomiting
- 3. Anemia and fatigue
- 4. Thrush in the mouth
Medical Video: Cancer Treatment: Chemotherapy
Each cancer patient will experience different side effects of chemotherapy, depending on the condition and type of drug given. But there are some side effects of chemotherapy that are common and this is usually a barrier in treatment. Then how to overcome the side effects of chemotherapy that appears and prevent the body's condition getting worse?
Common chemotherapy side effects and how to overcome them
1. Hair loss
Hair loss is a side effect of chemotherapy that is almost experienced by all cancer patients who undergo this treatment. Hair follicles are very vulnerable to damage, making your hair fall out easily during chemotherapy. Not a few people who are embarrassed because of experiencing this, especially for women who consider hair is his crown. Some things that can be done to overcome hair loss:
- You can stillstyle with a hat, scarf or wig - if you want. Don't be shy about trying it, if you aren't ready to use it, you can discuss your psychologist or medical team first.
- If you want to shampoo, use a shampoo that has no scent and is light on the scalp, such as baby shampoo. Use warm water when rinsing your scalp and avoid scratching when shampooing or drying your hair.
- Avoid combing your hair too often.
- Avoid using oil or hair cream.
2. Nausea and vomiting
As many as 70-80% of patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment experience symptoms of nausea and vomiting. The side effects of chemotherapy often arise in certain drugs, such as cisplatin. Some things that can overcome nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy are:
- Eat a small but frequent portion, because nausea often occurs when your stomach is empty.
- When eating food, try to chew it slowly.
- Try to eat cold-temperature foods. Avoid warm or hot food because it will cause you to become more nauseous.
- Don't eat foods and drinks that have different temperatures at one time.
- Take between two meals, don't drink too much when eating. Besides drinking between 6-8 glasses per day or according to needs.
3. Anemia and fatigue
Chemotherapy drugs can also reduce the number of red blood cells until the patient has anemia. This causes your body's tissues to not get oxygen and food, causing fatigue. Usually to treat severe anemia, doctors will advise patients to be transfused. But some of the things you can do to relieve these symptoms are:
- A lot of rest, like taking a nap for at least 15 minutes can help your body recover. Get to know yourself and rest before feeling tired.
- Do light exercise. Of course this can be done if the doctor allows.
- Manage stress well. You can use your free time to do hobbies or things that you like so that stress will be well managed.
4. Thrush in the mouth
Chemotherapy causes your immune system to decrease, making it very susceptible to bacterial or viral infections. Infection that often occurs in cancer patients is oral infections. This infection is characterized by the appearance of canker sores in the mouth, not only one wound can even all parts of the mouth filled with wounds. Of course this will make patients difficult to eat food, even though food can make it recover.
Here are ways to deal with mouth sores:
- Make sure to brush your teeth at least 90 seconds every two days. Try to use a soft toothbrush.
- Avoid consuming alcohol, spicy foods, and sour foods.
- Use mouthwash to remove bacteria that might still be left in the mouth.
