Managing side effects of cancer treatment

All side effects of cancer treatment have one thing in common, which affects more or less the quality of life of patients, survival time as well as the effectiveness of malignancy treatment. Good management of the side effects of cancer treatment is important to success in reversing cancer.
Some common side effects of cancer treatment include:

Diarrhea is a common side effect of cancer treatment and can continue even after treatment ends. In addition, the patient also has abdominal bloating, intermittent abdominal cramps or cramps in the muscles.
The cause of diarrhea during cancer treatment can be due to chemotherapy making patients temporarily 'lactose intolerant'. Therefore, if you experience more diarrhea or looser stools when drinking milk or dairy products, these foods should be reduced or eliminated until the diarrhea is under control.
Recommendations:
Tell your doctor if you have diarrhea more than 2 or 3 times a day or see mucus or blood when you have a bowel movement so that specific drugs for the intestines can be prescribed; Drink at least 2 liters of water a day: Choose drinks without caffeine such as juice, mineral water; An over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medication may be administered after each bowel movement to control mild diarrhea; Eat cooked, peeled, or canned fruits and vegetables. Avoid fruits, vegetables with skin, nuts or cabbage, broccoli, corn and peas... as these vegetables can cause bloating; Eat small, frequent meals instead of 3 large meals, chewing food thoroughly. Eat warm foods rather than foods that are too hot or too cold; Avoid spicy or fatty foods. Milk and foods high in sugar also cause diarrhea; If the diarrhea is severe or persistent, the person may become dehydrated and need to replace the electrolyte solution orally or intravenously.

Many patients complain that the taste of food is no longer the same as it was before cancer treatment, and there is a constant metallic taste in the mouth. Fortunately, this side effect of cancer treatment can go away with time.
Recommendation:
Eating fruit or sour foods can reduce the metallic taste in the mouth; Chilled foods may be easier to consume, such as ice cream, pudding, and apple sauce; Clean your teeth before eating to help improve the taste of food; Try using strong flavorings or seasonings, such as salad dressings, to make dishes more pleasant; If taste is really lost, the person can try to increase the aroma of the food eaten.

Both chemotherapy and radiation therapy cause vomiting and nausea during cancer treatment. Depending on the specific condition, the doctor may give the patient medication to actively prevent or reduce the side effects of this cancer treatment.
In some cases, nausea may or may not be accompanied by vomiting, sometimes lasting several hours to several weeks after treatment. However, this symptom will greatly affect the patient's ability to eat.
Recommendations:
Some patients find relaxation or self-hypnosis methods very helpful in reducing nausea. Talk to your doctor to experience this therapy; Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day instead of 3 large meals. Nausea is often worse if the stomach becomes empty; Eat slowly and chew thoroughly; Eat foods cold or at room temperature. The smell of hot or warm food can make a person more prone to nausea; Do not mix hot and cold foods, drink water too quickly or eat too quickly because it can cause vomiting; Avoid foods that are difficult to digest such as spicy, fried or high-fat foods, sweets and sauces; Avoid dental care for 2 hours after eating to avoid nausea; Rest after eating: If you want to lie down, lie on your right side and keep your head higher than your legs; Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day to prevent dehydration from vomiting. Choose cold drinks like soda or flavored drinks like popsicles or soft drinks; Try to eat more food at a time of day when you feel less nauseous. If you feel nauseous when you first wake up, leave a cracker on the nightstand and eat some before getting out of bed. Another way is to try eating a protein-rich meal like lean meat or cheese before bed, since protein takes longer to digest, which will help reduce vomiting afterward; If anti-nausea medication is required, take it 30 minutes to 1 hour before eating; After each vomiting episode, rinse your mouth with a baking soda solution to clean your mouth.

Dry mouth is a common side effect of chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer, causing patients to have decreased taste, loss of appetite or poor appetite.
Recommendation:
Gargle with water before meals; Thoroughly chew the food tablet in your mouth, you can sip more water or soup often while eating to keep food moist and make swallowing easier; Drink 6 to 8 cups of water per day; Gargle with fresh water or add lemon to water to dilute saliva; Try to eat soft foods with sauces, broths, sour cream or gravy to make them easier to swallow. Bread can be dipped in soup to moisten, soften; Suck on ice chips or sugar-free gum to keep your mouth moist; Artificial saliva and alternatives can soothe dry mouth.

Mouth sores are very common after cancer chemotherapy, making it difficult for patients to eat and drink. Therefore, patients need to be taught how to perform daily oral care to reduce the chance of infection.
Recommendation:
To prevent mouth sores: Use a specialized mouthwash daily to keep your teeth clean and perform oral care several times a day by brushing your teeth after each meal with a brush Small, soft and fluoride toothpaste. You can make your own mouthwash by dissolving salt and baking soda in warm water and rinsing your mouth with this solution at least 4 to 6 times a day, especially after meals and before going to bed. Use dental floss daily. If mouth sores have developed: Drink water through a straw, eat slowly, cut food into small pieces and chew thoroughly. Eat foods that are warm or at room temperature, and avoid foods and drinks that are too hot. Eating soft, smooth, or liquid foods can help relieve mouth pain. Avoid crunchy foods like chips and hard nuts. Do not talk with food in your mouth. Avoid eating or drinking acidic foods such as tomatoes, oranges, grapefruits and juices, carbonated drinks.

Skin rashes or other irritations can occur from cancer chemotherapy, allergies to drugs, or infections. Most skin rashes after chemotherapy improve on their own but take a long time to fully heal.
Recommendation:
Gently clean the affected area using warm water and mild soap. Do not rub the skin, dry the skin with a soft towel; Do not scratch or rub the damaged skin; Do not apply any ointments, lotions or powders that are not specified; Do not apply cosmetics, shaving cream, perfume, or deodorant to the affected area. Only use an electric razor if it is necessary to shave hair and beard; Do not wear tight clothing or clothing made of coarse fabrics such as wool or velvet. These fabrics can cause further skin irritation. Instead, choose clothes made from natural fibers like cotton; Do not let the affected skin area get too hot or too cold. Avoid using electric heating pads, hot packs or ice packs; Do not expose the affected skin area to direct sunlight. Sun exposure can increase your skin's reaction and lead to severe sunburn. Therefore, when outdoors, wear a wide-brimmed hat or protective clothing, and use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

Hair follicles are very sensitive to radiation and chemotherapy. Both of these cancer treatments cause hair loss. Fortunately, hair loss can be temporary or permanent. While hair may start to grow back about 3 to 6 months later, they may change texture or color from before.
Recommendation:
Should wear a scarf, hat or wig; Avoid frequent shampooing, use a mild shampoo (such as baby shampoo) that is fragrance-free; Wash your scalp with warm water, avoiding rubbing and scratching. Dry with a soft towel; Avoid brushing your hair too much; Avoid using hairspray, oils or creams; Avoid using heat sources on your hair (including hair dryers, rollers or curling irons); Do not perm or dye your hair; Protect your head from the sun and cold wind by wearing a hat and scarf.

Many patients have trouble sleeping during their cancer hospital stay. Insomnia can be caused by discomfort from nausea, mouth sores, or other problems. Changes in daily living and life plans due to cancer may also be contributing factors.
Recommendations:
If you cannot sleep at all, you may need prescription medication to help you fall asleep. Practice relaxation techniques such as mental visualization, deep breathing, reading, or listening to soothing music. Make sure the sleeping environment is comfortable, warm, and secluded. Avoid napping too much during the day. Also, remember to balance activity with rest. If you're feeling stressed or anxious, talk to your spouse, trusted friend or counselor to get the problem out of your mind.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can affect fertility during and after treatment. In addition, factors that reduce sex drive can also contribute such as hormonal changes, fatigue, pain or cancer treatment to alter self-image such as hair loss, exhaustion, lead to inferiority, inferiority. Some women with menstrual cycle disruptions may be able to receive hormone replacement therapy to relieve menopausal symptoms. Some men may experience a decrease in sperm count after cancer treatment that may require fertility intervention.
Recommendations:
Communicate openly about fertility and sexual activity with your partner for empathy, sharing and support; Discuss fertility concerns and desire to have children with cancer treatment for support and intervention from the beginning. There are several ways to increase your chances of having a baby after cancer treatment, such as sperm and egg banking, or assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection; Anxiety about not being able to have children can be emotionally draining, sometimes requiring psychological help and prescription for psychotropic medications; Although there is a risk of infertility with cancer treatment, pregnancy is still possible. Therefore, it is necessary to adhere to effective methods of contraception during and after a certain period of time during cancer treatment to avoid negative effects on the fetus. In short, cancer treatment has side effects that are unavoidable. Therefore, reducing these side effects is an important part of cancer care and may be referred to as palliative or supportive care. It is important for the physician to monitor, early detection, as well as the patient's encouragement to express these discomforts as the basic foundation for comprehensive effective management and treatment of malignancy.
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References: my.clevelandclinic.org, cancer.net