Chemo can be a lifesaver, and is used to treat over half a million U.S. citizens each year; but as miraculous as this treatment plan might be, it’s not without potential risks and often difficult unwanted effects. Live Free Home Health Care, top providers of New Hampshire home care services, shares some of the most common side effects of chemo, and tactics to help make them more manageable.
Vomiting/Nausea:
Whether it comes on within just a few hours after taking treatment, or is delayed until a handful of days later, vomiting and nausea may result from the body’s normal reaction to a foreign substance. The most efficient means to eliminate these symptoms is with one of a wide array of anti-nausea meds prescribed by the oncologist. It’s vital to take these medications just as prescribed. Some cancer patients find that eating a small meal prior to treatment helps ward off nausea; other individuals feel better when abstaining from eating anything until later. Partnering closely with the medical team, each person can figure out the best course of action to minimize nausea and vomiting.
Loss of Hair:
While not as physically debilitating as nausea and vomiting, hair loss is, nonetheless, one of the more difficult potential side effects to experience, impacting a person’s overall sense of self. It’s necessary to note that not all cancer treatment options cause hair loss, but if it is encountered, the hair usually grows back when treatments are complete. For those who want to wear a wig, it’s helpful to purchase one before treatment begins, resulting in a more accurate color match. Insurance sometimes also help to cover the expense for either a wig or alternate kind of head covering.
Fatigue:
Whether pertaining to chemotherapy or one of several other factors – cancer itself, anemia, or the emotional impact of having received a cancer diagnosis and requiring treatment – fatigue is quite prevalent, but also treatable. Make certain that the person with cancer shares any challenges about fatigue with the medical team and follows their guidelines, instead of attempting to self-medicate with non-prescription solutions. Eating a wholesome diet, getting plenty of rest, and finding an outlet for emotional release (for instance counseling, sharing concerns with friends and family, writing in a journal, etc.) can all be helpful as well.
At Live Free Home Health Care, our New Hampshire home care services include providing support for those with cancer, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. We can provide escorted transportation services to doctors’ appointments and treatments, pick up medications and wholesome foods, prepare meals, take care of household chores and laundry, and serve as a kind companion to walk alongside and provide assistance in whatever way is required.
Contact us at 603-217-0149 to learn more about our cancer care and other in-home senior care services and resources.