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Chemotherapy Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy cancer treatment works to destroy cancer cells through the use of chemicals but those chemicals do not know the difference between abnormal and healthy cells. The healthy cells that are normally affected include those in the stomach, hair, and blood. This can explain some of the side effects that are associated with the therapy; hair loss, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Other chemotherapy side effects are dry mouth, mouth sores, bleeding, increase in infections, loss of appetite, nerve damage, and damage to vital organs. Most symptoms subside when therapy is stopped. However, there is a possibility of long term damage from treatment such as organ damage and nerve damage. There are some things that a person can do that may help with side effects; eating small meals can help with digestive distress and nausea, avoid fried foods, drink lots of fluids, rest frequently, and medicate on God's word. Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life" (Proverbs 13:12).

Damaged DNA can lead to the accumulation of abnormal or damaged cells. When the immune system is working properly it will detect abnormal cells and destroy them. However, if the immune system does not work properly then a tumor can be the result. In some cases tumors can be benign but when they are malignant then cancer is the result. The most common methods of treating cancer include chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and surgery. All of the methods have risks and side effects but chemotherapy side effects are probably the most uncomfortable. However, when treating the disease after it has spread, chemo has the highest success rate of any method used.

The success of treatment will depend upon the type of cancer, the stage it is in, the health of the patient, and the methods of treatment used. Chemotherapy cancer treatment is either administered intravenously, orally, or injected straight into a specific area of the body. The drugs used will greatly depend upon the type of cancer, the stage of advancement, and the patient's overall health. The frequency a person may receive the chemo drugs may either be daily, weekly, or monthly. One thing that may cause some changes in treatment includes the effects on a patient's white blood cell count. A very low white blood count means that the patient has an increased risk of infection. When the white blood count is too low the doctor may discontinue treatment until the count rises.

Anti-nausea medications are often prescribed for individuals who are suffering with nausea and vomiting. A person suffering with severe nausea and vomiting should consult his or her doctor to find out about other options. Sometimes the dosage amounts can be reduced of the chemical drugs and this may help to relieve the nausea. Chemotherapy cancer treatment includes many types of drugs. If one drug makes a person sick then another one can be tried. Severe bouts of nausea and vomiting can cause dehydration and severe fatigue so this is a side effect that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

Hormone levels can be affected during cancer treatment therapy. When hormone levels are affected then a patient may experience more severe chemotherapy side effects. The uncomfortable side effects may not be as bad for some as they are for others. Normally when a doctor uses chemo he or she will also use immunotherapy drugs that help to build up the patient's immune system. Immunotherapy helps to stimulate a person's immune system so that it can better fight against tumor growth. Certain types of drugs used in immunotherapy seem to slow tumor growth. Immunotherapy along with a healthy diet and exercise will help to boost the immune system and give greater results overall.

A healthy diet should include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Eating more fiber will help the body to function better especially the digestive system. Fiber helps to counter constipation and can have a positive effect on blood sugar levels and puts a person at a lower risk for developing heart disease. Chemotherapy cancer treatment will respond better to a patient who does not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol beverages. Another important dietary change is to limit the amount of commercially processed foods. Processed foods are often devoid of their nutrients and cancer patients need all the nutrients that they can get.

Exercising may be one of the most difficult things to maintain during treatment for cancer. However, if a person will take it slow and not overdo then he or she will be better able to hold up at a daily exercise plan. Start out slow and build up to 20 to 30 minutes of exercise per day. There will be days when chemotherapy side effects will be so bad that a patient may not be able to exercise and this is alright. The main thing is to keep trying and not to give up. Even a little bit of exercise will help the immune system to function better and overall will have a positive effect on treatment.

Many patients suffer with fatigue during chemotherapy cancer treatment. The amount of fatigue a person will experience will depend upon the aggressiveness of chemo and the overall health of the patient. If there are other health conditions present then fatigue can take a toll making it difficult for the patient to do daily activities. One of the things that a doctor will usually check for is the development of anemia. Having anemia can make a difference on the patient's fatigue level. The anemia can be treated with iron supplements and this will help some. The most important thing with taking chemical drugs is to listen to the doctor and take medications exactly as prescribed and communicate with him or her about all symptoms so that they can be addressed promptly.

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