Nerve problems during cancer treatment

Some cancer treatments cause peripheral neuropathy, due to damage to the peripheral nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting information from the brain to other parts of the body. Clinical manifestations depend on which peripheral nerves (sensory, motor, or autonomic) are affected. In addition, nervous breakdown during cancer treatment or mental breakdown are also considered as other side effects that patients may experience.

The body's nervous system is made up of:
The central nervous system - includes the brain and spinal cord Peripheral nervous system - includes the sensory, motor and nerve nerves autonomic Peripheral nerves are responsible for transmitting information from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body and vice versa. They have the following functions:
Sensory nerves - send signals from the skin or muscles to the brain and spinal cord, where they are processed so that the body feels different types of sensations such as pain or touch. Motor nerves - send signals from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles to control movements such as walking, running, dancing, speaking. Autonomic nerves - control processes in the body that happen without thinking about them, such as digestion, respiration.

Certain drugs, cancer treatments or the nature of cancer can affect the way the nervous system in general and nerves in particular work. The changes can cause different symptoms depending on the cancer, how the cancer is being treated, and which nerves are affected.
Cancer drugs often affect the nerves in the hands and feet. This means that the person will have a change in sensation and they may often find it difficult to control small movements, such as buttoning, holding a pen, tying their hair. These changes can be difficult to deal with and greatly affect the patient's quality of life, causing emotional distress, which can easily lead to depression and depression. However, there are treatments that can be helpful and what should be done to help people cope with it.
Some cancer drugs can cause neurological changes. But there are also many other reasons leading to nervous breakdown during cancer treatment such as:
Radiation therapy Malignant tumors press on nerves Diabetes accompanied by Vitamin B12 deficiency Some medical conditions , other exceptions Cancer drugs that can cause neurological changes are mainly some chemotherapy drugs and targeted cancer drugs. Examples of chemotherapy drugs that are more likely to cause neurological changes are:
Platinum-based drugs, including cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin Vinca alkaloids, including vinblastine, vincristine and vindesine Taxane drugs, including including paclitaxel and docetaxel Anti-metabolites such as methotrexate

Examples of targeted cancer drugs that cause neurological changes include:
Bortezomib (Velcade) Thalidomide Hormone therapy and bisphosphonates are very unlikely to cause neurological changes terrible.

Damage to the sensory nerves (the nerves that help you feel pain, heat, cold and pressure) can cause clinical manifestations such as:
Tingling, numbness or tingling in the feet and hands, which can spread to the legs and arms Patient is unable to feel heat or cold, such as when near a hot stove Patient is no longer able to feel pain, such as from a cut or pain on the foot On the other hand, damage to the motor nerve (the nerve that helps muscles move) can cause:
Muscle weakness or pain that can make you lose balance, make it difficult to move, easy falls or difficulty unbuttoning a shirt or opening a jar Some muscle twitches and cramps or muscle weakness (if muscles are not used regularly) Difficulty swallowing or breathing (if chest or throat muscles affected) Damage to the autonomic nerves (nerves that control functions such as blood pressure regulation, digestion, heart rate, temperature, and urination) can cause:
Change in habits of the digestive system such as constipation or diarrhea Dizziness or feeling faint, due to low blood pressure Sexual problems; Men can't get an erection and women may not reach orgasm Sweating problems (sweating too much or too little) Urinating problems, such as urine leakage or difficulty emptying the bladder complete resolution If you start to notice any of the symptoms listed above, talk to your treating doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment of these problems is the best way to control them, prevent further damage, and reduce pain and other complications.

The patient may be advised to take the following steps:
Prevent falls. Ask someone to help you prevent falls around the house. Move carpets out of your aisle so that they don't get in the way. Install grab bars on the walls and in the bathroom, so you can hang on to them and keep your balance. Place the bathrobe in the shower or tub. Wear sturdy shoes with soft soles. Get up slowly after sitting or lying down, especially if you feel dizzy.
Be more careful in the kitchen and bathroom. Use kitchen gloves to protect your hands from burns. Be careful when handling knives or sharp objects. Have someone check the water temperature to make sure it's not too hot.
Protect your hands and feet. Wear shoes, both inside and outside the house. Check your arms, legs, and feet for cuts or abrasions every day. When it's cold, wear warm clothes to protect your hands and feet.
Ask for help and slow things down. Let people help you with difficult tasks. Slow down and give yourself more time to do things.
Ask about pain medication and appropriate medical practices. You may be prescribed pain medication. Sometimes, practices such as acupuncture, massage, physical therapy, yoga, and others can also be used to relieve pain. Speak frankly with your doctor for more advice.
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