According to the Mayo Clinic, chemotherapy is a treatment method that uses strong chemicals to rid your body of fast-growing cells, such as cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatment methods. Although chemotherapy is an effective treatment for a range of medical conditions, it has multiple side effects. Some chemotherapy side effects are minor and treatable, while others are severe and can lead to more serious complications. Recovery from chemotherapy requires treatment for the therapy's common side effects, including "chemo brain," hair loss and nausea.
Chemo Brain
"Chemo brain" is used by cancer survivors to describe the memory and thinking issues typically associated with chemotherapy treatment. Chemo fog, cognitive changes and dysfunction are also common terms used to describe this chemotherapy side effect. According to the Mayo Clinic, additional study and testing is needed to confirm that chemotherapy actually causes cognitive dysfunction. However, it is a common side effect of cancer and its treatment methods. Confusion, difficulty concentrating, learning new skills, fatigue, short attention span and short-term memory loss are all common signs of chemo brain.
While no standard treatment for chemo brain or cognitive dysfunction has been identified, your doctor can help you recover from this chemotherapy side effect by controlling other causes of memory loss, teaching you effectively cope with memory issues and prescribing medications to help relieve common chemo brain symptoms. Controlling other factors such as anemia, depression, sleep deprivation and early menopause can help you recover from memory loss associated with chemotherapy. Repetitive brain exercises, tracking memory loss influences, engaging in stress-free activities and learning effective coping strategies are all additional things you can do to recover from this chemotherapy side effect.
Hair Loss
According to the Mayo Clinic, hair loss typically cannot be controlled or prevented, but you can take steps to minimize the frustration and effectively recover from this common chemotherapy side effect. Developing a gentle hair care routine before and after chemotherapy, protecting your scalp and being patient are ways you can overcome hair loss. After treatment, your new hair growth will be fragile and frail. Avoid harsh chemicals, coloring and bleaching for about six months. This will prevent damage to growing hair and scalp irritation. Hair growth and repairing hair damage takes time. Be patient, your hair will eventually grow back.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting can make you feel horrible and can cause you to stray away from your chemotherapy treatment schedule. Once nausea and vomiting occurs, it can be difficult to control. Recovery from chemotherapy nausea and vomiting is best accomplished with prevention methods. According to the Mayo Clinic, your doctor can prescribe anti-nausea drugs for you to take before treatment and on a routine basis during and for a few days following chemotherapy. The anti-nausea medications prescribed will depend on the type of drugs used in your chemotherapy treatment.
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