Tips for Dealing with Some of the Side Effects of Cancer Treatment

Neuropathy
One of the agents used in chemotherapy, Taxol, is known to cause neuropathy in the hands and feet, as well as nail discoloration and loss. Holding ice in your hands during chemotherapy constricts the blood vessels, reducing the amount of chemo drugs flowing into that area, and that helps. When you arrive for treatment,ask your nurse to put ice in a pair of rubber examination gloves before giving you the Taxol. Cup the gloves in your hands while the drug is flowing until it becomes too cold and then put them down, repeat the process until the infusion is completed. Dr. Viswanathan experienced only mild residual nerve pain in her hands and nail discoloration, which resolved over time, and had no nail loss.
Nausea
Eat smaller portions of food and drink fluids more frequently during the day. This helps combat the nausea that often accompanies chemotherapy.
Mouth sores
Swish a baking soda/water solution around your mouth a few times a day to prevent painful mouth sores sometimes caused by chemotherapy. It increases the amount of saliva present and decreases dry mouth.

To read the full article written by Dr Chitra Viswanathan, Radiologist at MD Anderson Cancer

Center in Texas click here. If you like more information on the physical and emotional side effects of cancer treatment and what to expect, the MD Anderson Cancer Center is an excellent resource, click here to view their website.